Former Tesco marketing boss said to be working with BC Partners on Dunnhumby bid

Tim Mason, who left Tesco in 2012 after leading its attempt to enter the US grocery market, is reportedly working with private equity firm BC Partners on an offer for Tesco’s Clubcard loyalty arm Dunnhumby.

As Tesco’s marketing director and latterly its deputy chief executive, Mason oversaw the customer insight work undertaken by Dunnhumby and its husband-and-wife founders, Edwina Dunn and Clive Humby, Sky News reported.

The news came a day before Tesco stages its first annual shareholder meeting since last year’s profits mis-statement crisis.

Around a dozen bidders are involved in the auction for Dunnhumby. These include a partnership between Google and Permira, a partnership between WPP and General Atlantic Partners, and former Tesco executive John Browett, according to Sky.

At 12:52, Tesco shares were up 0.8% at 217.60p.