Co-op suffers double blow as food and Nisa bosses exit

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The Co-op has looked internally for a replacement after former food boss Jo Whitfield made the decision not to return to the retailer after her sabbatical.

The c-store specialist said that after six years with the Co-op and five years at the helm of its food business, Whitfield “has decided that this is the right time to move on and pursue her next challenge”.

Matt Hood

Matt Hood was co-leading Co-op Food while Jo Whitfield was on sabbatical

Matt Hood will become managing director of Co-op Food, responsible for both the commercial and operational areas of the business. He was previously commercial director.

Whitfield stepped away from the business in May for what was then thought to be four months to help her sons with their final school exams. When the announcement was made in February, the Co-op said then group chief executive Steve Murrells would take on day-to-day responsibility for its convenience food division.

However, weeks later, Murrells announced that he would be leaving in May as well, after a decade with the business.

Then chief financial officer Shirine Khoury-Haq was promoted to interim and then permanent chief executive, and the food business was given a twin-management structure with Hood and Chris Whitfield as co-managing directors.

Chair Alain Leighton said: “Jo has decided that this is the right time to move on and pursue her next challenge.

“During her time with us, Jo has led a re-invention of our Food business. She always put colleagues first and championed colleague safety. She leaves the Co-op with our warmest wishes and deepest thanks for everything she has delivered for our colleagues, members and customers.”

Khoury-Haq said: “I am delighted to announce that Matt is our new managing director of Co-op Food with both the commercial and operational areas reporting to him and he will ensure we remain leaders in convenience. We have an incredibly strong team, an established position to build from and the hunger and opportunity to achieve so much more in the years ahead.“

In another blow, the Co-op’s wholesale business Nisa also announced a sudden change at the top, with the news that Michael Fletcher would be stepping down.

Fletcher will be replaced in the role by former Co-op managing director of regional stores in the south Peter Batt.