After a couple of high- profile departures from the Tesco boardroom last year owing to various conflicts, the retailer has restocked its ranks with the hiring of Patrick Cescau , former chief executive of Unilever, as a non-executive director.

Cut loose from Unilever just 11 days ago after respected former Nestlé executive Paul Polman formally took over his old job, Mr Cescau joins the Tesco board next month.