Former Tesco and Asda executive John Longworth is among the additions to the board overseeing The Co-operative Group’s food business.
Longworth, whose CV includes a spell as former head of Co-op trade affairs, and Kingfisher CEO Euan Sutherland will join the retailer’s food board.
Last year, the Co-op established two subsidiary boards covering food and other specialist business operations, reporting to the main group board.
East Midlands Airport MD Penny Coates and B&Q, Thomas Cook and Boots director Mike Cutt will join the specialist business board.
A review of the Co-op’s corporate governance review identified a need for independent directors.
Commenting on the appointments, chairman Len Wardle said that the new directors would offer experience and independent advice to the group.

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By GlobalDataLast month, Wardle was forced to publicly back chief executive Peter Marks amid reports of falling sales at Somerfield, the business it acquired in 2008.