THE new chief executive of the East of England Co-operative Society has announced the line-up of a new management executive team.Six senior managers are, between them, responsible for the control and operation of all the society's departments, each reporting directly to chief executive Richard Samson who recently took over the role from Chris Blanchett.

THE new chief executive of the East of England Co-operative Society has announced the line-up of a new management executive team.

Six senior managers are, between them, responsible for the control and operation of all the society's departments, each reporting directly to chief executive Richard Samson who recently took over the role from Chris Blanchett.

The team consists of: David Cook-Abbott, group general manager, property; James Day, head of corporate affairs; Mike Faulkner, secretary; Roger Grosvenor, group general manager, trading; Maria McGettigan, group general manager, human resources; and Brian Salter, group general manager, finance and technology

David Cook-Abbott, James Day and Maria McGettigan previously worked for the former Colchester & East Essex Co-op while Mike Faulkner, Roger Grosvenor and Brian Salter were with the former Ipswich & Norwich society, and all have many years of experience in their respective fields of work.

The two societies merged last year to form the East of England Co-op, with Mr Samson, formerly chief executive of the Ipswich & Norwich, becoming chief executive designate of the enlarged society, and Mr Blanchett, previously chief executive of the Colchester & East Essex, continuing as chief executive of the new organisation until his recent retirement.

Mr Samson said: “The society is the UK's fourth largest independent consumer co-operative and we face a number of competitive challenges across our 2,000 square mile trading area.

“I am delighted with the quality of our new top team and believe we are well placed to take the society forward positively in the coming years.”

Mr Samson also recently announced the largest ever development programme for the co-op in East Anglia, which will involve up to £40 million being invested over the next year or so to improve its existing store portfolio, through new builds and refurbishments as well as acquisitions.