Morrisons executive director Marie Melnyk has resigned from the Board with immediate effect.
She is the third director to resign from the supermarket chain this year, and will leave at the end of the month with a reported £1.4 million payoff.
Melnyk handed in her notice “on the basis of medical advice” and said she planned to “consider her options for the future outside of Morrions”.
She had originally been in line for the chief executive post, but was turned down by the retailer’s non-executive directors, according to the Times.
She said in a statement: “This is the right decision for me and is at an appropriate time, given the company’s improving position under the capable leadership of our new chief executive [Marc Bolland].”
Sir Ken Morrison said of her resignation: “Marie has made an immense and immeasurable contribution to the company's success, over many years. We are sad to see her go and thank her for all she has done. Her many friends and colleagues will miss her and we wish her well for the future.”
An update in relation to succession will be made in due course, the supermarket said. Temporarily, Marc Bolland will take on Marie’s Board responsibilities.
