The Co-operative has appointed former Tesco executive Nick Meagher as head of insight and research.

Co-op sign

The appointment marks The Co-op’s move to bolster its data, digital and loyalty team following the refresh of its membership scheme and launch of its eponymous app in 2020.

Meagher joins the business from Tesco where he held the role of head of consumer insight, covering the brand’s marketing communications, loyalty proposition and foresight.

He has also held a number of consumer insight roles at Unilever and Mondelez International.

Meagher will be in charge of insight and research for The Co-op’s food, insurance, funeralcare, legal, community and membership functions, with a particular aim to grow the retailer’s membership growth.

Co-op chasing empathy with customers

Meagher said: “For me, joining the Co-op is a great opportunity to be part of what must be one of the original, and certainly most enduring, purpose-led businesses, founded long before the term was even coined.

“As an insights expert, the way the group spans across both significant and everyday moments in customers lives, gives us a really precious resource in connecting data-sets to drive strong customer understanding and empathy.”

His departure comes after a string of high profile exits from Tesco in the past year, including veteran Tony Hoggett.