Top award for Co-op chief

THE Co-operative Group’s chief executive Peter Marks, has been named Business Leader of the Year.

The award, sponsored by telecoms group Orange, was in recognition for “his outstanding achievements and demonstration of exceptional business acumen and vision over the past 12 months”.

Based at the Co-op’s Manchester HQ, Bradford-based Mr Marks played a key role in restructuring the movement. In the last 12 months he has overseen the £1.4bn acquisition of Somerfield and the merger of the Co-op’s financial services arm with the Britannia Building Society.

The Orange Leader of the Year award was voted for by members of the wider business community and an expert panel of judges. Mr Marks has spent his entire working life within the Co-operative movement, having joined Yorkshire Co-operatives in 1967 as a management trainee.

Over his career, he has managed numerous co-operative businesses, including the food, travel, funeral and department store operations.  He has been chief executive of the group since 2007.

Mr Marks said:  “This award recognises a tremendous year of achievement for The Co-operative Group, which has included the acquisition of Somerfield, the merger with Britannia and the national launch of our revitalised brand.

“At a time when consumers are looking for both value and values in business, The Co-operative’s brand has become relevant and distinctive in a way it has not been for decades.

“Our growth and renaissance could not have been achieved without the enormous commitment and loyalty of our 120,000 colleagues across our family of businesses and this award is recognition of the hard work and dedication all of us have given.”

Peter Marks beat Kingfisher chief executive Ian Cheshire, Dr John Bird founder and  editor in chief of Big Issue, Dame Marjorie Scardino, CEO of Pearson Group and Sir William Sargent, chief executive of Framestore