David Potts

Background

David Tom Potts was born on 18 March 1957 in Ashton-under-Lyne, and educated there at Hartshead County Secondary School.

Career

Potts got a summer job at Tesco in Ashton-under-Lyne as a general assistant, while waiting for his O-level results, having already worked in a greengrocers. He failed all five of his O-levels, and has stated, "My lack of success at school was probably to do with playing football all the time". Having failed his exams, Potts continued working full-time with Tesco.

After work, he studied at Tameside College to obtain English and Maths O-levels.

Then he studied on day release for a diploma in retailing at Hollings College (now part of Manchester Metropolitan University) in Manchester. Aged 24, he was posted to Ryde on the Isle of Wight, as Tesco"s youngest-ever superstore manager.

In February 2015, it was announced that Potts would succeed Dalton Philips as Chief Executive Officer of Morrisons, who would step down after five years in charge.

Achievements

• In the 2013 New Year, Potts was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, "Foreign services to Employment, Skills and Apprenticeships in the Retail Sector".