Tesco Media raids Walmart for chief operations officer

Tesco Media has brought in a former Walmart executive for the new role chief operations officer, in a move designed to support the next phase of the supermarket giant’s retail media growth.

Lauren Bolles joins from Walmart Connect, where she has served as chief operating officer for the past four years, leading significant operational transformation and enabling the business to scale rapidly. She brings in-depth experience in retail media, complex commercial operations and high-performance organisational design.

Tesco Media has recently focused on deepening its partnerships with CPG brands, strengthening its proposition, and building a distinct presence in the UK market. This momentum has helped establish Tesco Media as one of the UK’s leading retail media platforms.

The creation of the chief operations officer role reflects this next phase of growth at pace, aimed at ensuring Tesco Media can move faster, operate more efficiently and focus on the work that delivers the greatest impact for customers and partners.

In her new role, Bolles will be responsible for strengthening Tesco Media’s end-to-end operating model, helping CPG partners unlock greater impact from every pound invested and ensuring campaigns deliver stronger and more measurable results from insight to execution.

Tesco Media managing director Tash Whitmey said: “We have built real momentum in recent years, becoming the ultimate media partner for brands of all sizes, and we’re proud of the partnerships and reputation we’ve established.

“Lauren brings outstanding experience from one of the world’s most advanced retail media organisations and she will ensure we are operating at the scale and pace of our ambitions, so that we continue delivering exceptional value for brands, agencies and customers.”