Co-op said Alex Dower brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience across food retail, convenience, hospitality and FMCG. His previous positions include senior roles with Tesco, Pret A Manger, Mars and PepsiCo.
The appointment follows a period of sustained momentum for the business. In his new role, Dower will assume direct responsibility for a retail operation spanning more than 2,300 stores and generating annual revenue of over £7.25 billion.
As managing director, Dower will be tasked with driving further growth across Co-op Food, enhancing the customer proposition and advancing innovation across both physical stores and digital channels. He will also focus on delivering value for Co-op members.
Commenting on his appointment, Kate Allum, interim group CEO, said: “Alex brings a wealth of experience and a passion for building successful customer-focused businesses, in ways that make a meaningful difference to customers’ everyday lives. His personal values and leadership approach are fully aligned with our Co-op and I’m excited about the impact he will have in driving our Food Retail business forwards.”
Alex Dower, managing director at Co-op Retail, commented: “I’m delighted to be joining Co-op at such an important time for the business. Co-op stores are woven into communities across the UK, and I’m looking forward to working with our fantastic colleagues to make it even more relevant to members and customers every day. Co-op’s purpose and values are what set it apart, and I’m excited to build upon the strong foundations already in place, accelerating growth and innovation, while staying true to what makes Co-op so special.
