Ian MacLaurin, Baron MacLaurin of Knebworth

Ian Charter MacLaurin, Baron MacLaurin of Knebworth DL FRSA (born 30 March 1937) is a British businessman, who has been chairman of Vodafone and chairman and chief executive of Tesco.

By the time of his retirement in 1997 Tesco had overtaken Sainsbury's to become the largest UK retailer.

MacLaurin led Tesco away from the "pile it high, sell it cheap" business philosophy of founder Jack Cohen.

He stepped down on the merger with AirTouch Communications Inc in 1999, resuming his role a year later.

[5] MacLaurin is chairman of Paperless Receipts Ltd, a company that works with retailers including Argos, Monsoon Accessorize and Booths.

[citation needed] MacLaurin is honorary life president of Hope for Tomorrow, a UK cancer charity.