Sarah Young and James Davey

LONDON, (Reuters) –Boris Johnson turned to ex-Tesco boss Dave Lewis in an effort to solve supply chain issues that have impacted the British economy. This has prompted criticism from the Prime Minister.

Lewis (nicknamed “Drastic David”) was best known for fixing the Unilever consumer goods company through cost cutting, innovative marketing, and leading Britain’s largest retailer Tesco for six consecutive years. On Friday, he was named as the supply chain advisor for three months by the government.

Post-Brexit workers shortage, made worse by global strains from the COVID-19 Crisis, has crippled Britain’s supply chain for all things, from fuel and pork to poultry. Any recovery from the pandemic is in jeopardy.

Johnson was criticised by industry leaders for not responding to the crisis in a timely manner. Lewis’ appointment may be seen as a positive step towards the business community.

According to government officials, Lewis started his role Monday and will provide advice for both Johnson (Cabinet Office Minister) and Stephen Barclay (Minister of Cabinet Office).

To quickly address urgent, immediate issues, he will work closely with the government.

In a statement, the government said that it includes “identifying and pre-empting future blocksages” and “advising industry on solutions either via direct government action or by helping the private sector.”

Lewis will work closely with Britain’s finance ministry, as well as co-chairing the government’s Supply Chain Advisory Group. This group is made up of experts from the outside and the Industry Taskforce.

Johnson explained that “there are global supply issues currently which we are working to mitigate, and Dave brings a wealth experience which will assist us in continuing to protect our supply chains and businesses.”

After Lewis joined Tesco in 2014, a scandal accounting knocked off millions of its profits and wiped out billions from its share price.

After declaring Tesco’s turnaround complete in October 2012, he made his exit. Tesco had been reaffirmed as Britain’s market leader and its position was strengthened once more. This year, he was elevated.

Not all retailers gurus that the British government has trusted in times of crisis have achieved such success.

In 2010, David Cameron, then Prime Minister, requested a report by Philip Green on government cost savings.

Six years later, the BHS department shop collapsed, one year after Green bought it for a penny. It left an enormous hole in its pension fund as well as 11,000 job loss, leading to calls for Green’s removal from knighthood.