Co-op Creates New Insight and Planning Role

The UK's largest mutual retailer, the Co-operative Group, has appointed former MasterCard Advisors chief Neil Carden to the new role of Director of Insight and Planning.

Carden will take responsibility for customer research and analysis, targeting and measuring the effectiveness of the group's marketing activities. He will also be involved with developing the group's customer proposition across all business units including food retailing, financial services, funerals, pharmacy and online. He will report to Group Marketing Director, Gill Barr.

Barr says: 'Neil has a proven track record of success in providing businesses with the insight they need to formulate effective marketing strategies and he will make an invaluable addition to the team in this senior new role.'

The Co-op is fully owned by its 6 million members. In the six months to 2 July it posted a 10% fall in underlying operating profits to £275.1m, while its food business reporting a fall in sales to £3.7bn in the half year, down from £3.9bn the previous year.

Web site: www.co-operative.coop/corporate .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.