Co-op chief to stand down after 25 years

Midlands Co-op chief executive John Fitzgerald has announced his retirement after a successful 25-year career.

He joined Lichfield-based Midlands Co-operative Society in 1998 as retail general manager and in 2001 became chief general manager.

In 2005 he was appointed chief executive following the retirement of Willie Tucker, who is now the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire.

His career in retail began in the early 1970s when he held a series of positions with Safeway. Between 1979 and 1984 his career took him to the east coast of Scotland as district manager for Safeway.

He joined the Co-operative Movement in 1984 as retail controller for the Oxford and Swindon area. In 2005, Mr Fitzgerald was appointed a director of the Manchester based Co-operative Group, which now covers the whole of the Co-operative Movement's food buying and marketing.

He was instrumental in the introduction of 'The Co-operative' national brand to the Midlands Society and for the trading success the society has enjoyed in recent years.

Commenting on his forthcoming retirement – the precise date of which has yet to be determined – Mr Fitzgerald said: "I have been immensely privileged to have spent 25 years with the Co-operative Movement, and to have been actively involved in what is now seen as the renaissance of the Co-operative in the UK and the renewed consumer interest in co-operative values."

During the last few months the Board have faced the challenge of identifying a suitable successor and have undertaken a rigorous recruitment and selection process.

He will be succeeded by Martyn Cheatle, the society's current deputy chief executive.

Mr Cheatle, 47, joined Midlands Co-op in 2001, having previously been finance director at Gala Leisure and prior to this, financial controller at Bass Brewers.

He is a fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. He lives in Barton-under-Needwood, near Lichfield, and is married with one daughter.