Where are they now? Christine Cross, former Tesco director

Name: Christine Cross
Was: Director responsible for own brand development and international expansion at Tesco
Now: Non-executive director at Kathmandu Holdings


Career background: Cross spent 15 years lecturing in food science at Edinburgh and Bath Spa Universities before joining Tesco in 1989. As group business development director, she became involved in brand development, global product sourcing, and expansion. She left Tesco in 2003. Since then, Cross has held positions on the boards of companies including Next and Woolworths, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. She was also a non-executive director of Premier Foods between 2008 and 2010.

What is she doing now? Since leaving Tesco, Cross has primarily focused on running her own retail advisory consultancy, building business models, helping integrate businesses, strengthening global teams, and maximising brand leverage and development. Her most recent appointment was as non-executive director on the board of Kathmandu, in late December 2012. She is also chief retail and consumer advisor at PwC and Apax Partners Venture Capital, and is a visiting business professor at Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, and the University of Ulster.

At Tesco: Cross helped build up the own label business and develop global business and international direct sourcing. She also played a key role in expanding the non-food side of the business, particularly clothing.

What’s next? There’s never a dull moment for Cross. Kathmandu’s desire to confirm its global strategy and become established “as a significant global presence in the outdoor travel and adventure market” make it perfectly aligned to her expertise. She will also continue consulting on retail, brand and fmcg issues.