// The Co-op is set to cover food boss Jo Whitfield’s absence later this year by promoting two senior execs to co-managing directors
// Current chief operating officer Chris Whitfield and chief commercial officer Matt Hood will replace Whitfield while she helps her son prepare for their exams
The Co-op is set to promote two senior food execs to co-managing directors to cover boss Jo Whitfield’s career break.
The mutual will make chief operating officer Chris Whitfield and chief commercial officer Matt Hood co-managing directors when Jo Whitfield steps aside for four months to help her children with their exams later this year, Retail Week reported.
The publication said the exact job titles were yet to be confirmed but an insider said they would effectively act as co-managing directors.
READ MORE: John Lewis poaches Co-op digital boss as customer director
The Co-op revealed last month that Whitfield would step aside to help her sons in their key exam year this year with group chief executive Steve Murrells taking over the food business in the interim
However, last week it emerged that Murrells would leave The Co-op in May.
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