Jonathan Miller steps down as McColl’s CEO

Jonathan Miller has stepped down from his role as chief executive of McColl’s.

According to a statement from McColl’s, “the search to appoint a new CEO is in progress and the Board is confident of concluding that search successfully in the near future”.

Miller took on the role in April 2016 having previously held several positions in the business including finance director and chief financial officer.

Executive chairman Angus Porter thanked Miller for his time as chief executive. “On behalf of the Board, I want to take this opportunity to thank Jonathan for the immense contribution he has made to McColl’s and to pay tribute to his commitment in leading the business over the course of more than 30 years. We wish him all the very best in the future.

“As we discuss with our stakeholders the transformation of our business to a grocery-led convenience offer, Jonathan and the Board have agreed that now is the right time to bring in a new Chief Executive to lead the business into a new phase. In the meantime, we have a strong management team in place to take the business forward, and we are confident in our strategy to capitalise on the opportunity in the convenience sector in the years ahead.”

Porter has assumed the role of executive chairman on a temporary basis until a new CEO is appointed while Karen Bird, chief operating officer, has become interim chief executive of the group to manage day-to-day executive responsibilities. Chief financial officer Giles David will also assume additional responsibilities

Jonathan Miller said: “It has been an enormous privilege to work for McColl’s for the last 30 years, most recently leading the business and transforming our offer in partnership with Morrisons. I have worked alongside so many talented and hardworking people and I am enormously grateful for the support I have had from the many thousands of colleagues in the business over many years.

“I remain a significant shareholder, and I leave confident that, with its clearly defined, convenience-led strategy and strong partnership with Morrisons, McColl’s will continue to play a vital role at the heart of local communities across the UK.”

McColl’s recently confirmed it was in talks to source funding and had received an offer for the business.

“The Group remains in ongoing dialogue with its lenders towards a longer-term agreement in relation to the balance of its existing facility and continues to believe that a financing solution will be found that involves its existing partners and stakeholders. As previously announced, a further update will be made as and when these discussions conclude.”