// Co-op food boss Jo Whitfield to step aside for 4 months to help sons with exams

// Co-op Group CEO Steve Murrells will take on day-to-day responsibilities

Co-op Food has said its chief executive Jo Whitfield will step away from her role for four months later this year to “support her family”.

She will stand aside in May, with Co-op Group chief executive Steve Murrells taking on day-to-day responsibilities.

The Co-op said she would be stepping away for a short time to “support her family” with exams.

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“I always knew that this year would be a big year with my boys undertaking key exams,” Whitfield said.

“We decided as a family, that in order to prepare for the inevitable pressure and emotional turmoil that would involve, when the time came, I would look to spend more time with them to ease the challenge.

“I can take this time away reassured by the knowledge we have a strong food leadership team who will keep moving our Co-op forward, working with support and guidance from Murrells.”

Murrells said: “We will miss Jo and wish her and her family well over the coming months.”

Whitfield joined the Co-op in 2016 and was promoted to retail chief executive in 2017.

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