Ex-Tesco operations director Chris Whitfield has joined The Co-operative Food as retail and logistics director following the departure of food chief operating officer Sean Toal earlier this year.
Whitfield, who comes from his role as store operations director for Tesco Lotus in Thailand, will report to retail chief executive Steve Murrells.
His position was created following Toal’s departure, and will see him run the group’s 2,800 stores and oversee logisitics.
Murrells said the company is an exciting point as the retail strategy to concentrate on the convenience sector takes hold. “Sales in these stores are outperforming the market and Chris’ wealth of retail experience will be invaluable as we look to improve our operations and logistics functions further,” he said.
“I am delighted that an individual with such a strong track record in the industry has joined the business and he will play leading roles in the implementation of our retail strategy.”
Whitfield has worked in retail for 27 years, primarily in a number of senior roles for Tesco.
The Co-operative Group has also named two appointments of independent non-executive directors to its board, which it says reflects the “constitutional reforms” that the company is undergoing.
Sir Christopher Kelly, chair of the review leading to the re-capitalisation plan of the Co-op bank, joins the board with immediate effect and will assist in recruiting the rest of the board – expected to be fully operational by May 2015.
He has also been a senior official in HM Treasury and was permanent secretary of the department of health.
Current non-executive director at the BBC, Simon Burke, joins the transitional group board, having previously been in the same role at the Co-operative Food.
Simon is currently also a Non-Executive Director for The BBC and was previously Chair of both BathStore and Hobbycraft.
Ursula Lidbetter, chair of the Co-operative Group, said: “Sir Christopher’s recent report into The Co-operative Bank was detailed and incisive and was instrumental in helping us move on by learning from the mistakes of the past.
“His deep experience of finance, public policy and governance mean that he is ideally suited to the new role of senior independent non-executive director.
“Simon likewise has a rich understanding and appreciation of the group following his time on the food board and his extensive business acumen and experience will be a major asset for the main board. We are confident that these appointments, along with others that are currently under consideration, will help us to rebuild the Co-operative Group and restore it to its rightful place at the heart of communities across the UK.”
