Morrisons' new chief executive officer, David Potts, has quickly stamped his authority on the struggling UK grocer, announcing that almost half of the senior management team will leave.
In only his second week at the company, Potts said that he will be constructing a “leaner” management board, with the aim of “simplifying and speeding up the business”.
Among those departing are retail director Martyn Fletcher and property and strategy director Gordon Mowat, who was once said to be in the running to become the company’s finance director.
Nigel Robertson, managing director of Morrisons' convenience business, is also leaving, less than a month after the retailer announced plans to close 23 small outlets, due to the poor performance of some convenience stores.
The changes follow Potts’ announcement that he’s sending head-office staff to join their colleagues working on the shop floor, as part of an effort to reconnect with customers. The UK’s fourth-largest grocer has reported three consecutive years of declining like-for-like sales.
The other managers leaving the company are Nick Collard, customer marketing and digital director, and Neal Austin, group logistics director.
Morrisons, based in Bradford, England, said that Andy Atkinson has been appointed interim marketing director, while Clare Grainger has been made interim retail director.
Last week, ESM reported that Potts was to follow the lead of Tesco boss Dave Lewis by sending head office staff to join their colleagues working on the shop floor.
News by Bloomberg, edited by ESM
