Morgan ousted at Co-op

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Co-operative Group marketing director Zoe Morgan is leaving the group at the end of July after nearly three years. It is not clear whether she has a job to go to.

Her departure comes as two of the largest societies trading under the Co-operative banner – the Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives – yesterday voted to merge as Co-operative Trading Group. The merger will be formally completed on July 29 under the leadership of chief executive Peter Marks, currently chief executive of United Co-operatives.

Morgan will be replaced by Patrick Allen, currently marketing director at United Co-Operatives. She says she is “sorry to leave the group at this exciting stage” but “fully respect the new chief executive’s decision to appoint his own marketing director”.

Morgan, who joined from HBoS in 2004, is credited with developing the brand strategy that will unite the group’s businesses, which include food, travel and financial services, under The Co-operative for the first time. She is also led a relaunch of the group’s membership offer.