Tesco distribution director Alex Laffey is to take over as the new chief executive of Eddie Stobart Logistics.

Laffey, who takes up the post on 5 May, has been at the helm of the whole of Tesco’s UK distribution operation, which delivers to over 3,000 stores and moves 50 million cases a week.

He was recently named as one of the most influential people in the road transport sector in Motortransport.co.uk’s Power Players 2014.

In his new role, Laffey will oversee the operation of around 3,000 trucks, 5,000 staff and over 40 sites.

Current Eddie Stobart chief executive William Stobart will become executive chairman as a result of Laffey’s arrival.

A spokesman for the operator said the move would “further strengthen the senior management team, ensuring the optimal level of resource and experience at the top of the business to support its continued growth”.

Commenting on the change, William Stobart said it would enable him “to focus my time on customers and delivering the projects that underpin our growth”.

“I will be working closely with the board, Alex and the rest of the executive management team to ensure that working together, we will achieve our strategy and build on the excellent reputation we have for customer service which I am so proud of,” he added.