Cornerstone US Wine Imports is a division of UK wine broker Copestick Murray, which was launched in 2007 to build trading relationships and distribution in the American market and helps source wine for Fresh & Easy, the US division of Tesco.

Clements is currently in the UK on a short-term contract with Copestick Murray, having returned from the US last month, and will take up the position of product development manager at Tesco from March 25.

Clements joined Cornerstone from Sainsbury's in May last year and, despite a short stint with the US importer, her departure is amicable.

Robin Copestick, managing director of Copestick Murray, said: "Having made the very brave move from Sainsbury's to work for our US company, Cornerstone, it was obviously a huge shock to us all when Philip Clarke announced Tesco could well be pulling out of the US. Given the uncertainty with Fresh & Easy, Lucy was keen to return to the UK.

"Copestick Murray was willing to offer Lucy a permanent position in the UK but she felt that a product development role at Tesco was the right move for her.

"Our loss is Tesco's gain and Lucy leaves Copestick Murray and Cornerstone with all of our best wishes. In the short time Lucy was with us she found and blended some fantastic wines, which will be coming to the UK market very soon. I am sure that Lucy will do a fantastic job for Tesco."