UK retailer The Co-operative Group has added to its food management team with the appointment of executives from Tesco and Asda.
Matt Hood will join the Co-op next month as head of commercial trading for dairy, chilled prepared foods and protein. He joins from Tesco where he was group food sourcing director.
Asda executives CJ Antal Smith and Ian Martin are also set to join The Co-op. Antal Smith, category trading director for emerging markets at Asda, will head up the retailer's core grocery, impulse grocery and non-edible grocery categories from February.
Martin, who most recently headed frozen foods at Asda, will take up the role of head of commercial trading for beers, wines & spirits, tobacco and frozen food at The Co-op.
Mike Osmond, commercial director of The Co-op's food arm, said: "We are embarking on a strategic programme to deliver ambitious commercial trading levels, and I am confident that these key appointments will complement and strengthen our existing commercial and senior management teams."
The appointments come as The Co-op looks to revitalise its food business. Last month, it said falling sales in a "tough" market hit profits from its food arm in the first half.
The retailer has also seen the retirement of its CEO Peter Marks who will step down next year. He will leave after six years at the helm, during which time he made significant moves including buying UK food retailer Somerfield.
