The Co-op announced today that Shirine Khoury-Haq has been appointed as its Group CEO on a permanent basis.
Khoury-Haq had previously held the role on an interim basis after taking over from Steve Murrells earlier this year. She had been working as the society’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive of Co-op Life Services.
Before joining the Co-op in 2019, she was Chief Operating Officer at Lloyd’s of London for five years, and Group Head of Operations and UK Chief Operating Officer at Catlin Underwriting Agencies. She began her career in the US, spending two years with McDonald’s, and nine years with IBM Global Business Services, rising to Associate Partner.
Allan Leighton, Chair of Co-op said: “I’m delighted that Shirine has accepted the invitation to lead and develop our Co-op into the future, tackling the challenges presented by the highly uncertain and volatile external environment.
“Shirine has proven leadership qualities and a deep level of transformational experience, and the Board has been impressed by her desire to prioritise on activity that will deliver a strong financial Co-op for our members, whilst maintaining a focus on our vision and wider social commitments.”
Confirmation of the appointment comes just weeks after the Co-op revealed that it was axing 400 jobs at its head office in Manchester as part of a restructuring and cost-cutting drive to adapt the business to the tough trading environment.
