FORMER Tesco executive David Potts has been appointed to succeed the ousted Dalton Philips as the new Morrisons boss, the company announced this morning.

He will join the Bradford-based grocer which is fighting to recover from falling sales and market share, on March 16.

Mr Potts, 57, who joined Tesco in 1973 rose to become the chief executive of Tesco's Asian business until 2011 when he left to become become a retail adviser to several international advisory and private equity businesses.

Morrisons said his appointment followed a selection process in the UK and overseas.

David Potts said: "Customers and Morrisons are a great combination to serve. This is a great British business with real potential and it is an honour to have been selected."

Morrisons' chairman Andrew Higginson, also a former Tesco senior executive, said: " David is the best retailer I have worked with in 25 years in the industry. Having worked alongside him for 15 years, I know he will bring to Morrisons a focus on the customer, a track record of delivery, flair, talent, and immense energy to his new role. He will lead our colleagues in the business from the front, and with distinction."