McColl’s Retail Group has appointed two former Tesco executives to its operational board.

Steve Goswell, who spent 20 years at Tesco managing areas including new stores, large format stores and the multichannnel retail programme, has joined the group as operations director.

Former Tesco HR executive Karen Bird will assume the role of human resources director on 3 October.

Goswell will report to McColl’s chief operating officer Dave Thomas, while Bird will report directly to chief executive Jonathan Miller.

Miller said the pair were joining McColl’s at an “exciting time” after it announced the acquisition of 298 Co-op convenience stores in July.

“I am delighted to welcome Steve and Karen, both of whom have extensive experience in our sector,” he said. “Their skills will be a considerable asset as we continue to enhance and expand our market-leading convenience offering. They will also help to ensure our customers and colleagues remain at the very heart of our proposition.”