Sir Terry Leahy (born 28th February 1956) is the CEO of Tesco, the largest British supermarket chain. He
was knighted in 2002, and was Chancellor of UMIST, his alma mater, from that year until 1st October 2004 when he became co-chancellor of the newly formed University of Manchester.
He had worked briefly stacking shelves in the Wandsworth Tesco in school holidays. After graduating from UMIST, Leahy returned to Tesco in 1979 as a marketing executive. He was appointed to the board in 1992 and became chief executive in 1997. Tesco has stretched its lead as the UK's largest retailer since then, and also has grown significantly internationally. He was chosen as Britain's "Business Leader of the Year" in 2003 and Fortune Magazine's "European Businessman of the Year" in 2004.
Leahy was born and grew up in Liverpool the third of four brothers and the only one to receive a higher education. He has since been granted the freedom of the city of Liverpool. Sir Terry is an Everton Football Club supporter. As of 2004 he lives in North London.
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