Amidst controversy surrounding Tesco due to violent protests against the opening of a Tesco shop in Bristol, former head of the company, Sir Terry Leahy, is visiting Cambridge this Wednesday to discuss big business’ role in society.

Leahy, who oversaw the rapid growth of Tesco as CEO from 1997 until March this year, will deliver student society Beyond Profit’s first annual lecture on Wednesday at the Cambridge Union. In his talk, he is expected to reflect on his time at the head of Tesco and offer his thoughts on what he thinks the impact of big business is on society. After his talk, which is open to non-members, Leahy is also expected to accept questions from the floor.

Leahy’s visit follows the arrest of two people and the detention of 30 after violence in the Stokes Croft area of Bristol where more than 400 people gathered on Thursday night to protest the opening of a new Tesco store in the area. It was the second such disturbance in the past week and is seen by many as an expression of complaint against the domination of local neighbourhoods by the third largest retailer in the world. Leahy’s talk is likely to attract attention from many of Cambridge’s political groups.

It is not just his time at Tesco that Leahy plans to speak about – aged only 55 and now retired from his position at Tesco, Sir Terry will no doubt mention plans for the future.

Missed the talk? Varsity didn't: read about it here.