The Co-operative Group CEO Peter Marks has paid tribute to the society’s food CEO Tim Hurrell, who announced his retirement this week.

Hurrell will retire from the role at the end of the year, with food commercial director Sean Toal acting as food CEO ­until a successor is found.

In a letter to staff, Marks said Hurrell had had a “highly successful” career, having joined the co-op movement in 1976.

“Having worked closely with Tim over the past 15 years, I would like to record my thanks to him for the contribution he has made to the various food businesses he has led over that time and to wish him every success in the future,” he said.

“Tim has done a fantastic job in leading food retail through the ­biggest period of change in its history, ­culminating with the acquisition of the Somerfield business in 2009.”

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