Cobain has said that he will consider a chief information officer role in the public sector or another industry.
Tesco has not yet confirmed whether Cobain will be replaced and, if so, who might fill his shoes. A spokesperson said: "Colin is seeking a new challenge outside Tesco and we're thankful for his significant contribution to the IT infrastructure at Tesco and wish him well for the future."
Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy has highlighted the role that technology has played in Tesco’s success on a number of occasions, particularly with regard to its use of thermal imaging cameras for queue-busting.
In addition, Tesco has been at the forefront of adopting technologies, such as RFID and electronic shelf-edge labelling.
Cobain joined Tesco in 2001 and won Best IT Retail Professional at the European Retail Solutions Awards in 2005. He has supported the retailer’s domestic and international growth strategy through the creation of a standardised IT platform that can be replicated in each country. In particular, this has been crucial to Tesco’s recent US venture in the form of its Fresh & Easy stores.
Cobain started his career working for the Mars Group. He has spent time in IT roles at Rumbelows and Kingfisher, where he spent time on the boards of both Woolworths and Superdrug. In 2000, he spent eight months establishing an internet start-up, which reached pilot stage, before joining Tesco.
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