Tesco appoints Burberry boss as chair to replace John Allan

Gerry Murphy joins Tesco at a time when supermarkets are under pressure to do more to alleviate the cost of living crisis. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

Britain’s biggest grocer, Tesco, has hired the City veteran Gerry Murphy as chair to replace John Allan, who stepped down after allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Murphy, who chairs the luxury fashion retailer Burberry and the sugar company Tate & Lyle, is to join Tesco on 1 September, and will relinquish his role at Tate & Lyle at the same time.