Leighton ‘privileged’ to take Co-op role

BOARDROOM veteran Allan Leighton has been confirmed as the Co-operative Group’s first independent non-executive chair.

He has succeeded Ursula Lidbetter from today and will work with the Co-op’s new board, the council of members and the executive team to continue the rebuilding The Co-operative Group.

Sir Christopher Kelly, The Co-operative Group’s senior independent non-executive director, said: “We are delighted to have a figure of Allan’s experience and standing to head our reformed governance structure.

“We held a thorough and wide-ranging process to appoint our first chair under the new governance framework and Allan was the outstanding candidate. He has long championed the power of business to benefit local communities and has a reputation for rolling his sleeves up and bringing about sustainable change.”

Richard Pennycook, chief executive, said he is looking forward to working with Leighton, who has led Asda and chaired Royal Mail, adding: “His background makes him the perfect fit for us at this moment in our development. He is highly respected in the business community; he has deep knowledge of the food retail sector as well as significant turnaround experience across a range of industry sectors; and he has worked in quoted businesses and privately-owned companies.”

Leighton said: “I am delighted and privileged to be taking up this role. I grew up with this business, because my father ran the local Co-op, so I have a very real understanding of the importance of The Co-operative to local communities and a strong sense of what the Society stands for.

“I look forward to working with our members, customers and colleagues as we continue the crucial work to rebuild The Co-operative Group and restore it to its rightful place at the heart of communities up and down the UK.”

Leighton has asked that his £250,000 salary be donated to The Co-operative Foundation, a charity supporting youth projects around the country.