Blow for Group as McGettigan quits

JUST a few weeks after announcing a big drop in food sales profits, the Co-operative Group has suffered a fresh blow with the news that it&#039s recently-installed Head...

JUST a few weeks after announcing a big drop in food sales profits, the Co-operative Group has suffered a fresh blow with the news that it&#039s recently-installed Head of Food Retail has left the society after being ?head hunted&#039 by an unnamed European retailer.
Former Londis Chief Executive Eoin McGettigan ? who joined the Group in February ? says he is saddened to be leaving the Group, but adds that his new role represents an opportunity he just could not turn down.
However Chief Executive Martin Beaumont has moved quickly to fill the vacancy by announcing that former Marks & Spencer joint managing director Guy McCracken will take over the role on May 23rd.
Mr McCracken, who has over 25 years experience of retailing, is currently a director of the McCracken Rowe Consultancy, a specialist food and retail consultancy and a non-executive director of the food manufacturer Glisten. He will relinquish his current directorships before joining the Group.
In his new role as chief executive of food retail he will take overall charge of the Co-op Group&#039s food retailing network, overseeing 1,700 food stores.
Said Mr Beaumont: "Guy is a very experienced retailer with a strong track record in brand development, building organisation effectiveness and cost
management."
Mr McCracken commented: "My first priority is to lead the Group&#039s food retail recovery programme in a challenging and competitive food retail environment, so that we can regain our sales and profit momentum."

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