Booker head Charles Wilson announces retirement

Booker has announced that its chief executive Charles Wilson will retire in February 2021, after leading the business for 15 years.

The decision comes two years after he stepped down from the role of chief executive of Tesco UK and Ireland after being diagnosed with throat cancer.

At that time, he decided to continue running Booker.

“A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with throat cancer. I remain in remission but it is time to take things a little easier,” Wilson said in a statement.

“I joined the Booker team 15 years ago. At that time Booker was challenged. Together we turned around the company, improved customer satisfaction and grew to be the leading wholesaler.”

Wilson began his career in 1986 at Procter & Gamble, before working as executive director of Marks & Spencer, then joining Booker as chief executive in 2005.

He played a major role in the 2018 merger of Booker with Tesco, post which he was appointed as the chief executive of Tesco’s UK and Ireland retail and wholesale operations.

“Since the merger with Tesco he has been a superb member of the executive team and a brilliant colleague. Whilst we are very sad to see him retire, we completely understand and wish Charles and his family all the very best for the future,” commented Dave Lewis, Tesco group chief executive.

Wilson will be succeeded by Andrew Yaxley who is currently chief product officer for Tesco, with the handover process beginning today (7 September). Yaxley will be succeeded as chief product officer by Ashwin Prasad, who is promoted from his current role as commercial director for packaged food.

“Andrew will be a great leader of Booker within the Tesco Group. Andrew and I will ensure a smooth handover to maintain business as usual. It has been a huge privilege to be part of Booker and Tesco, and I look forward to seeing the group flourish in the years ahead,” Wilson added.