Tesco agriculture director Tom Hind steps down

Tesco agriculture director Tom Hind is stepping down – little more than 18 months after taking on the role at Britain’s troubled food retailer.

“We can confirm Tom Hind will be leaving Tesco,” a spokesperson for the supermarket chain confirmed to Farmers Weekly on Friday (15 May).

“We’d like to thank him for all his hard work and wish him well for the future.”

Mr Hind couldn’t be reached for comment.

But Farmers Weekly understands that the decision to leave Tesco was Mr Hind’s and the retailer will be recruiting a new agriculture director.

See also: Tesco announces shock loss of £6.4bn

Mr Hind joined Tesco in November 2013 with a remit to develop the supermarket’s relationship with farmers and producers across the UK and around the world.

His appointment as Tesco’s first group agriculture director came at a tough time for the supermarket giant, which continues to face a number of challenges.

It followed Tesco’s promise to source more UK food and build a more transparent supply chain following the 2013 scandal that saw beef products adulterated with horsemeat.

Some of Tesco’s Value range burgers – supposedly made from beef – contained 29.1% horsemeat. And some of its Everyday Value spaghetti bolognese contained 60% horsemeat.

Tesco is still being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office after it overstated its half-year profit forecast by £263m in August 2014.

Separately, Tesco is also being investigated by the Groceries Code Adjudicator, which was established to ensure supermarkets treat their suppliers fairly.

Last month, Tesco reported the worst annual results in its history with a record statutory pre-tax loss of £6.4bn for the year to the end of February 2015.

Before joining Tesco, Mr Hind was NFU director of corporate affairs.

He had spent 15 years working for the NFU, holding a number of roles where he was responsible for championing British farming.

The Tesco spokesperson said: “Since joining the business, Tom has played an integral part in building effective and long-term relationships with farmers and suppliers across the UK, and ensuring Tesco remains British agriculture’s biggest customer and proudest supporter.”