Co-op group MD Matt Hood is set to leave the business, along with commercial director for fresh and chilled Nicole Tallant and Tom Bradley, commercial director for strategy and supplier relationships,
The shock departures come as Co-op confirmed a change to its controversial new group commercial and logistics division under former food MD Hood.
Current chief procurement officer Imran Rasul will take on the newly created role of chief commercial officer. Rather than having a group commercial and logistics function under one leader, previously Hood, teams will be organised into separate commercial and logistics functions, with Rasul leading commercial and supply chain and logistics director Andy Wilmot leading logistics. Both Rasul and Wilmot will report into interim group CEO Kate Allum.
“I can confirm Matt Hood, Nicole Tallant and Tom Bradley have decided to leave our Co-op to take up new roles outside of the food retail sector,” said Allum.
”I’m pleased that all three will remain with us for some months to ensure a well-managed transition, maintain stability and continue to help deliver our strategy.
”Between them, Matt, Nicole and Tom have made a significant contribution to our Food business and to the wider Co-op, with their commitment, leadership and expertise having a lasting impact, and they will be greatly missed by colleagues across the business. We wish all three of them the very best for the future.”
In September, the Co-op announced it was launching a new commercial and logistics division, that would involve a merger of Co-op’s buying teams across retail, wholesale, societies and franchise.
The Grocer later revealed that it had caused widespread concern and confusion across the business over the ongoing consultations with commercial colleagues amid the restructure, leading to several high profile departures, including chief commercial officer Sinead Bell.
Suppliers had also questioned how the new strategy would work, expressing concern over the lack of distinction between activation plans for Co-op stores and independent customers.
Earlier this year, a letter was sent to board members, seen by the BBC, describing “fear and alienation” among senior staff, who said they felt unable to speak up in front of the leadership team, including CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq.
The letter claimed this culture has contributed to falling morale, a series of senior departures, and operational errors following the cyberattack last year and its decision to create the new group commercial and logistics division.
Co-op rejected the claims of a “toxic” culture at the top, saying colleague engagement remains high and decision-making reflects a wide range of views across the business.
During the convenience retailer’s full-year results announced in March, which revealed Co-op had plunged from £131m underlying operating profit to a loss of £35m in 2025 after taking a £107m hit from the hacking incident, CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq announced she was departing from the business. She insisted her decision to step down was not linked to allegations of a “toxic” culture at the top of the business.
Hood is understood to be leaving in September, while Bradley posted on Linkedin today that he was joining Deliveroo as commercial director later this autumn, and that he was “looking forward to being part of a fast-paced, ambitious and rapidly-growing business”.
Regarding his exit from Co-op, Bradley added: “Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of what has been achieved together during that time. We’ve continued to transform the Co-op business by reducing net debt, relaunched the Co-op membership proposition, driven rapid growth across our Co-op wholesale and online channels, developed multiple new strategic partnerships, and latterly formed the group commercial and logistics function – all whilst navigating and recovering from a major cyber incident little over 12 months ago.
“I’m also proud of the challenges navigated together over that time. Covid-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, soaring inflation, and most recently, the conflict in the Middle East; driving unprecedented supply chain pressure and market volatility throughout the industry.
“Throughout every single challenge and opportunity, one thing has remained consistent – relationships. The support of our suppliers and industry partners, alongside the collaboration across our respective teams has been fundamental to everything both I personally, alongside the wider business, have achieved and delivered.
“The food industry remains as dynamic and unpredictable as ever, but I remain in awe of the resilience, adaptability and underlying strength it (and everyone working within it) continues to demonstrate.”
He joined the business in 2020 as head of impulse, before being promoted to head of commercial in 2023, overseeing food to go, in-store bakery, produce, horticulture, chilled meals and snacking.
Bradley then became director of commercial in 2025, before taking on his current role in February this year.
Prior to his tenure Co-op, he worked at Aldi UK for over nine years, taking on various buying director roles before ultimately becoming national business transformation director.
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