Consultants drafted in to help Makro return to profit have left following what it described as a “strong start to its turnaround plans”.

Three of the four specialists from AlixPartners, who were parachuted in six months ago to turn around the wholesaler, left last week.

Jens Koeppen, brought in as temporary FD, has now been appointed permanently. “The appointment of Jens and the departure of AlixPartners signals a new era,” said MD Juergen Schwarze.