The chief executive of Co-op Food is taking a four-month career break to help her sons prepare for their exams.

Jo Whitfield, who was paid £1.4m in 2020 according to the company’s annual report, is taking the unpaid leave from May to assist her two children as they aim to complete their GCSEs and A-levels.

Steve Murrells, who leads the wider Co-op group, will take day-to-day control of the food business while she is away.

Co-op Food is Britain’s sixth biggest supermarket chain by market share, according to latest industry data, operating more than 2,600 stores across the UK. It also owns wholesaler Nisa.

The Co-op said the opportunity to apply for an unpaid leave of absence is available to all staff.

Ms Whitfield said: “I always knew that this year would be a big year with my boys undertaking key exams.

“We decided as a family, that in order to prepare for the inevitable pressure and emotional turmoil that would involve, that when the time came, I would look to spend more time with them to ease the challenge.

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“I can take this time away reassured by the knowledge we have a strong food leadership team who will keep moving our Co-op forward, working with support and guidance from Steve Murrells, our Co-op CEO.”

Mr Murrells said: “We will miss Jo and wish her and her family well over the coming months.”

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