Breaking News: Bolland leaves Morrisons early

POTENTIAL internal candidates to take the top job at supermarket chain Morrisons will have a chance to impress over the crucial Christmas period after it was announced today that chief executive Marc Bolland is to step down early.

Mr Bolland is to take up his new role as chief executive of Marks & Spencer in the New Year.

Morrisons said that Mr Bolland was to “relinquish his operational responsibilities” with the Bradford-based business today following a board meeting yesterday.

“The executive directors will continue to run the group in the ordinary course of business and the executive board will now be chaired by Sir Ian Gibson, the group’s non-executive chairman,” Morrisons said.

Sir Ian Gibson said: “Morrisons has a strong and capable senior management team which will continue to operate the business.

“We are well placed for a successful Christmas period and a strong end to our current financial year.”