Co-op appoints new food chief
THE Co-operative Group has appointed Steve Murrells as chief executive of its food business. He replaces Tim Hurrell, who retired last year.
Murrells, 46, will report to Group chief executive, Peter Marks. He joins from Danish meat company, Tulip, where he is UK chief executive.
Prior to that, he held a number of senior positions with Tesco, including CEO for its One Stop stores and was most recently responsible for integratinh the Dobbies garden centre business. He had also previously worked in buying and trading for Sainsbury’s. He will take up his new post in July.
Murrells said: “The Co-operative Group has made enormous strides in its food business and this is an exciting time to be leading the team as we focus on delivering the full potential of The Co-operative brand for the benefit of our customers and members.”
The group has also said that Sean Toal will take up the new position of chief operating officer of the food business. He was previously commercial director.
Mr Marks said: “As a result of the acquisition and integration of Somerfield, The Co-operative Group has experienced phenomenal growth, and is once again a major force in food retailing.
“These appointments reflect this. Steve and Sean bring to their new positions a wealth of experience and complementary skills to make us more efficient and more customer-focussed as we move through the next phase of our development as the UK’s leading community retailer.”
Earlier this week, the organisation announced a restructuring of the food business to staff, which has already led to some senior management positions being abolished.
