The Co-operative Group has bagged another executive from a major multiple for its new-look food team.
New trading director Michael Fletcher joins from Tesco where he worked for 22 years, holding roles including commercial director for Tesco Malaysia and, most recently, commercial director for group procurement.
It means the society now boasts a trading director, customer director and food chief information officer - all new roles created by food CEO Steve Murrells since he joined the society in September last year.
Former Sainsbury’s director of insight and loyalty Andrew Mann was named customer director and former Asda IT director Howard Reed was named food chief information officer in January this year. Commercial trading directors from Asda and Tesco were also appointed in 2012.
In addition, Ian Ayling has been appointed customer change director. Ayling has been working at the society as a marketing consultant, having previously worked at Dunnhumby.
As well as announcing the appointments, Murrells said sales growth over the summer had been “encouraging”. Sales have struggled in recent months, but Kantar Worldpanel data released earlier this month showed sales rose 0.2% in the 12 weeks to 7 July. However, market share continued to fall - from 6.6% a year ago to 6.4%.
“This is an exciting time as we embark on a new long-term strategic plan,” Murrells said.
“Our initial focus on doing the basics better is already paying dividends in terms of sales, and these appointments bring a wealth of new experience and leadership to help maintain this momentum. The new appointments will be instrumental in delivering our long-term strategy.”
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