LONDON—UK supermarket chain Tesco has hired Jane Lawrie as group communications director from 10 October 2016. She will serve on the company’s executive committee.

Lawrie has more than 25 years of experience in corporate, financial, colleague and digital communications, joining from Coca Cola, where she leads European public affairs and communications. She has significant experience in trust and corporate reputation, including previous roles at Diageo and Boots the Chemist.

Tesco suffered a crisis year in 2014, when it issued profit warnings, and experienced a CEO transition, an accounting scandal, and accusations that it had mistreated suppliers and employees. 

According to Dave Lewis, Tesco group chief executive, “Over the last eighteen months we’ve made good progress in restoring trust in our brand and our business, and Jane will help to continue this improvement. She has huge expertise and experience, as well as extremely strong values.”