Home and garden retailer Homebase has announced the appointment of Echo Lu as managing director of the company. 

Lu, who is set to take up her new position on April 20, joins the company from Tesco where she worked over the past 10 years across different markets, including group business planning & insight director and property director for UK & Ireland.

Prior to that, Lu also held a number of roles in Tesco’s Asian business, including chief operating officer for China, operations director East China and commercial buying for grocery.

John Walden, chief executive at Home Retail Group, which owns Homebase, said: “Echo has significant, broad-based retail experience both in the UK and the rapidly evolving Asian region, and importantly has been an agent for positive change throughout her career.

“She is the ideal candidate to lead Homebase and its productivity plan, as we improve the store operational standards and customer service, develop stronger customer propositions and accelerate Homebase’s digital capabilities, and realise its potential for greater growth.”

Lu said: “I am delighted to join Home Retail Group and to lead the Homebase business. Homebase is a strong UK brand with an ambitious plan in the short-term to strengthen its foundations and exciting longer-term growth opportunities.”