Co-op names Debbie White as new chair to succeed Allan Leighton

In a statement, the grocer said White brings “a wealth of business and commercial experience” to the business.

She has recently held a range of senior non-executive roles at Spire Healthcare, Howden Joinery Group and medical technology company PAVmed.

White’s previous roles also include group chief executive at Interserve and global chief executive for healthcare and government at Sodexo.

She will join the retailer’s board as an independent non-executive director next month before taking on her new role as chair.

Leighton, who is set to leave the business next year after nine years, said White is “the ideal person to take our Co-op forwards over the coming years”.

Chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq said: “It is testament to the strength and future potential of our Co-op that we can attract someone of Debbie’s calibre and I’m looking forward to working closely with her as we embark on another exciting chapter in our Co-op’s 180-year history.

“She has a proven track record, a commitment to our Co-op values and principles, and is a role model for championing diversity and inclusion. She is a perfect fit for our Co-op.

“In welcoming Debbie, I also want to thank Allan for the enormous support he’s provided to me personally and for the incredible turnaround he’s overseen for our Co-op and our members over the past nine years.”

White said: “I am delighted and privileged to be taking up this role. The Co-op is an iconic business with an important role to play in supporting the needs of our members and wider society.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Shirine, our board, our National Members’ Council and our 57,000 colleagues to grow our Co-op further and to build upon the existing momentum already in place. 

“The Co-op is the original business with purpose, with ambitious plans to grow further in the coming years, and I’m excited by the prospect of being a part of a business that exists to meet the needs of its members.”