Leslie Porter

Sir Leslie Porter (born Posament; 10 July 1920 – 20 March 2005) was an English businessman, chairman and managing director of Tesco Stores. Porter was managing director of J. Porter & Co (1955 – 59) before moving into management at Tesco. Porter was awarded an Honorary PhD in Business Management from Tel Aviv University in 1974.

Porter was born in London, to Henry and Jane Posament. His first job, at age 14, was at HR Owen Rolls Royce dealers, where he demonstrated his ability in sales. He joined the family owned textile business, J. Porter & Co., in 1938, after completing his schooling at Holloway County School.

During the Second World War, Porter served in the King's Royal Rifle Corps in Egypt, Greece, Crete, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Italy, rising to the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant, 1st Battalion in The Rangers. He re-joined the family business in 1946 and immediately reorganised the operations and structure of the company to include linens for the home and furnishing fabrics. By 1954 the business was making a profit and in 1955, Porter was appointed as Managing Director.

In 1948, Leslie Porter married Shirley Cohen (appointed DBE in 1991), daughter to Jack Cohen, founder of the Tesco supermarket chain. Jack, impressed with Leslie's success at J. Porter & Co. immediately offered him a job, however, independently wealthy and successful, Leslie did not make the move to Tesco Stores until 1959. Leslie and Shirley Porter had two children, John and Linda.

Porter joined Tesco Stores as a Director and Head of Home ‘n’ Wear department in 1959. His success in the developing non-foods divisions for Tesco led to his appointment as Assistant Managing Director in 1964. Porter and Cohen often clashed over business operations, and management styles; many of their boardroom clashes becoming anecdotal stories in the business world. Porter is credited with the successful restructuring Tesco, and implementing a sound business strategy which has ensured the continued success of the business.

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