Richard Pennycook

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Richard Pennycook

Group CEO, The Co-operative Group

Last ranked: 12

It takes an experienced hand on the tiller when one of the country’s most treasured businesses goes as off course as violently as the Co-operative Group did three years ago. And it’s no exaggeration to say Pennycook saved The Coop. He’s only dropped down the list because, with Steve Murrells (qv) doing a great job on the Food side, he’s focused on the bank.Pennycook’s priority is to reinvest for the future, in infrastructure, customers and staff, including upping frontline colleague pay. And he fully supports an aggressive store opening programme. Quite remarkable given where The Coop was at two years ago.

The Grocer's Power List 2016 reflects a sector in upheaval