Morrisons has reshuffled its management team with two senior appointments, leading its boss to praise the supermarket’s “strong management development plans”.

The grocer said that former group finance chief Trevor Strain has been promoted to chief operating officer, alongside current trading director Michael Gleeson, who has been promoted to chief financial officer.

Strain has been an executive director of Morrisons and its chief financial officer since 2013. In his new role, he will be responsible for commercial, manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, operations development, online and wholesale.

Gleeson joined Morrisons in 2014 and is currently trading director responsible for ambient grocery, frozen, fuel, dairy and services. A chartered accountant, Gleeson joined the grocer from Tesco where he worked for 15 years in various finance roles. He’ll take up his new role on February 3, 2020.

Both Strain and Gleeson will report directly to chief executive David Potts.

Morrisons boss Potts said of the two appointments: “These two appointments are a result of strong management development plans at Morrisons and I am delighted that we are promoting two highly capable colleagues from within the team. I look forward to continuing to work closely with both of them.

“Trevor is a proven and outstanding business leader who has played a pivotal role in the ongoing Morrisons turnaround. Michael has extensive financial, commercial and retail experience, together with a first-class track record, and his appointment will further strengthen the executive team. Together, and as part of the wider Morrisons team, we will continue to build a broader, stronger Morrisons.”