M&S finance chief defects to Tesco

Just two days after helping M&S Chief Executive Marc Bolland present first-quarter sales, Stewart has left Britain’s biggest clothing retailer to join the world’s third-biggest stores group on an increased salary and with a £1.7m golden hello.

His appointment will be a boost to Tesco CEO Philip Clarke, who is currently the only executive on Tesco’s PLC board, and who is facing questions over whether he has the right strategy to turn around the 95-year-old group.

“We wanted a candidate who had the right blend of experience, leadership and values to play a leading role in the transformation of Tesco. We have found all three in Alan,” Clarke said.

Stewart abruptly left M&S’ central London headquarters after handing in his notice early Thursday, a source familiar with the situation said. But he was unlikely to start work at Tesco before the end of this year due to a six-month notice period and the triggering of a non-compete clause in his contract, the source said.

Tesco, which has been looking for a new finance chief since Laurie McIlwee announced his intention to quit in April, said Stewart would join “following satisfaction of existing contractual obligations.”