By Jamie White – Head of Communications

Supermarket chain Morrisons has appointed a new chief executive.

Former Tesco director, David Potts, will take up his new role on March 16th, succeeding Dalton Phillips who is leaving the company after five years in charge.

Mr Potts started his career aged 16 and rose to become retail director in the UK and chief executive of its Irish businesses. He left Tesco in 2011.

The arrival of Mr Potts, 57, will mean that Morrisons’ two most senior managers are former Tesco stalwarts.

Current Morrisons chairman Andrew Higginson was previously the finance director at Tesco and worked with Mr Potts.

Mr Higginson said: “David is the best retailer I have worked with in 25 years in the industry. Having worked alongside him for 15 years, I know he will bring to Morrisons a focus on the customer, a track record of delivery, flair, talent, and immense energy to his new role.”

Morrisons has more than 490 stores across the UK.

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