The Co-op’s food boss Jo Whitfield will step away from the business for four months late this year in order to “support her family”.
Whitfield will stand aside in May, with Co-op Group chief executive Steve Murrells taking on day-to-day responsibility for its convenience food division.
The Co-op said Whitfield would be stepping away for a short time to “support her family”, with Whitfield adding she would be supporting her sons through their exams.
Whitfield said: “I always knew that this year would be a big year with my boys undertaking key exams. We decided as a family, that in order to prepare for the inevitable pressure and emotional turmoil that would involve, when the time came, I would look to spend more time with them to ease the challenge.
“I can take this time away reassured by the knowledge we have a strong food leadership team who will keep moving our Co-op forward, working with support and guidance from Steve Murrells, our Co-op CEO.”
Murrells said: “We will miss Jo and wish her and her family well over the coming months.”
Whitfield joined the Co-op in 2016 and was promoted to retail chief executive in 2017. Prior to joining the Co-op, Whitfield worked for Asda for eight years.
- Sign up for our daily morning briefing to get the latest retail news and analysis
No comments yet