Batchelor named Tesco Telecoms chief exec

Tesco has promoted UK marketing director Lance Batchelor to the chief executive of Tesco Telecoms, as part of a management restructure following the buy-out of its financial services arm.

Batchelor, a former Vodafone marketer, will be replaced by Carolyn Bradley, currently the commercial director for added value foods.

Batchelor, who trained in marketing at Procter & Gamble and has held senior roles at Amazon.com, was a board level marketing director at Vodafone UK before leaving to help set up computer repair company The PC Guys in 2006. He was appointed as Tesco UK marketing director in August last year (July 25, 2007).

Tesco has bought back the 50% share that Royal Bank of Scotland held in its financial services joint venture, as its plans to push into high street banking. Benny Higgins, the former head of retail banking at RBS and HBOS, will join as chief executive of Tesco Personal Finance.

Tesco intends to expand its banking offering beyond insurance, credit cards and personal savings.