The man in charge of IT at Tesco will be its next CEO, the supermarket giant revealed today.

IT director Philip Clarke, who is also responsible for the company’s international operations, will take over when current chief executive Sir Terry Leahy steps down in March 2011.

“I am delighted Phil Clarke has accepted the role of CEO from March 2011,” said Leahy in a statement. “I have worked with Phil at Tesco for many years and I am confident he has all the necessary talent, energy and experience to take the group forward.”

In 2006, it was revealed that Clarke, a life-long Tesco employee, received £2.2 million in annual pay, most of which was a bonus.

It is relatively rare for IT directors to become chief executives. Clarke’s appointment arguably reflects the importance of IT to Tesco’s operational model.