The chief operating officer of Canadian c-store giant Couche-Tard has stepped down from his role after with the company.

Réal Plourde, who will remain as executive vice president and a member of the executive committee, has left the position with effect from today (10 May).

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Brian Hannasch, currently senior vice-president, US operations and a “close associate” of Plourde, becomes as COO, Couche-Tard said.

“I carefully weighed and prepared this change which meets two key objectives: I will be free to devote more time to personal ventures while continuing to actively contribute to the company’s strategic direction”, said Plourde.

Last month Couche-Tard submitted a bid to buy US-based Casey’s General Stores for US$1.9bn.

The bid was rebuffed by Casey’s, which then adopted a shareholder rights agreement in its bid to stop the hostile advance.

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The all-cash proposal represented a 14% premium on Casey’s closing price of $31.59 a share on 9 April.

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