The Co-operative Food appoints new regional store directors after Rowley retires
Following the retirement of Peter Rowley after 39 years with the business, the Co-operative Food has appointed two new Regional Store Directors.
Rowley (59), who managed 484 stores and around 7,500 staff across the North West region, will be replaced by Gwynneth Smedley, who was Regional Stores Director for the Central and Eastern region.
Derek Furnival, formerly the Regional Operations Manager for the North West, has been promoted to Regional Stores Director for Central and Eastern.
David Mockford, Director of Food Stores and Logistics, The Co-operative Food, said: “Both Gwynneth and Derek have a wealth of experience and they will play a key role in supporting our continuing development as the UK’s leading community retailer.
Never Miss a Retail Update!“I would also like to thank Peter for the many years he has spent with The Co-operative and the significant contribution he has made in that time and wish him well in his retirement.”
Peter Rowley started at The Co-operative as a trainee store manager in Essex in 1973. He worked his way up through the ranks to Operations Manager, Regional Operations Manager and Regional Stores Director for Central and Eastern, and most recently the North West.
He commented: “I’ve seen so many changes over the years, especially the Group’s phenomenal growth to become a major player in the food retail industry. It’s been a challenging but enjoyable time at The Co-operative and I am proud of everything that has been achieved.”
The Co-operative Group is the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer and a major financial services provider, operating The Co-operative Bank and The Co-operative Insurance.
The Group operates 4,800 retail trading outlets, employs more than 100,000 people and has an annual turnover of more than £13bn.
