Appointments : New group head of marketing for the Co-operative Group - Gill Barr

Barr will join the group at the end of January once she finished at MasterCard, having previously held senior posts at John Lewis, Superdrug, KPMH, Athena and Wickes, to take up the role vacated by Patrick Allen last year.

Peter Marks, chief executive of the Co-operative Group, said:  "Over the past few years, we have seen a complete rejuvenation of the Co-operative brand, which has resulted in a doubling of sales, profits and membership.  The business now has a significant opportunity to show customers the benefits to them of shopping at all Co-operative businesses.

"I am sure that with her tremendous breadth of experience, Gill Barr will make a significant contribution to the Co-operative Group's development over the next few years and I am delighted she is joining us at this exciting time for the business."

Co-op aims for 20 million members by 2020 - Manchester Evening News

The Co-operative Group is aiming to have 20 million members within the next decade, chief executive Peter Marks has revealed. That would mean about a third of the UK's population would be part of the Manchester-based group's dividend scheme by 2020.

Mr Marks has stated his target as he announced a group restructure which will see its financial services and trading businesses brought together.

It is hoped that closer working between the Co-op's different divisions – ranging from food stores to pharmacies - will lead to the development of new initiatives to help grow its membership.

Mr Marks said: “These changes will help us develop our plans to grow the group and serve our members and customers even better.