London — Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer, said Booker boss Charles Wilson would stay on and run its entire UK business once it completes the £3.7bn takeover of the wholesaler. Tesco also forecast profit for 2017-18 would come in slightly ahead of analysts’ expectations, adding it had traded in line with management expectations since it last updated investors on January 11. Tesco’s purchase of Booker is the boldest move yet by CE Dave Lewis, who took over in 2014, providing the supermarket group with access to the faster growing catering segment of Britain’s £195bn food market. After completion of the deal, Wilson, who has led Booker since 2005, will become CEO of Tesco’s retail and wholesale operations in the UK and Ireland. The division made up 63% of Tesco’s profit in the 2016-17 year. Wilson’s appointment, although not a surprise, puts him in pole position to take over from Lewis, analysts said. "[Wilson] brings substantial commercial and retail experience and has an exceptiona...
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