East of England Co-op announces planned CEO transition

The East of England Co-op today announced that its Chief Executive Officer Andy Rigby intends to step down from the role in early 2027, following a planned transition period and the appointment of a successor.  

The decision, made by Andy Rigby, comes at a time of strength for the regional co-operative, following three consecutive years of profit growth. Andy Rigby will continue to lead the Society throughout the transition and will play an active role in supporting the recruitment and appointment of a new Chief Executive.  

President of the East of England Co-op, Mandy Errington, said: “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Andy for his exceptional leadership and commitment to our co-op. Andy has led our co-op through a period of strong performance, while ensuring we remained firmly rooted in the values and principles that define who we are.  

“Andy’s leadership has helped create a stronger, more resilient Society, with a clear vision for the future. Importantly, this planned transition comes at a time of strength for the business, and we are delighted that Andy will play an active role in supporting the succession process and ensuring a seamless transition.”  

Since becoming CEO, Andy Rigby has led the development of a clear strategic vision focused on building a stronger more resilient and diverse co-operative business. During his time with the business, the East of England Co-op has expanded into two additional counties, invested in new and existing stores and branches, grown its travel business, embraced innovation and technology, strengthened its environmental commitments, and increased support for local charities, community groups and good causes.  

Andy has also overseen a number of significant milestones for the Society. These include the opening of its first cashless convenience store at Ipswich Station, which was recognised by IGD as one of the “25 Stores of the Future” globally. Alongside this, the East of England Co-op welcomed its first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, reduced its carbon emissions by 25 percent in the last year alone and was recognised as Community Retailer of the Year – Multiple at the Retail Industry Awards, reflecting its continued focus on inclusion, sustainability and community impact.  

Andy Rigby said: “Leading the East of England Co-op has been one of the greatest privileges of my 45-year career. Together, we’ve built a stronger business, with a clear strategy, simple mission and lived values.  

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and must say a heartfelt thank you to our colleagues, members, customers and partners for their support. I will leave knowing that the East of England Co-op is well positioned for an exciting future as a proudly independent Society dedicated to serving the communities that have supported us so well over more than 155 years.  

“Our focus remains on delivering in 2026 and beyond and I’m looking forward to supporting the Board in finding my replacement to take on this incredible role to lead near 3,000 colleagues across 200 locations, and ensuring a successful transition for our members, colleagues and communities.”  

Looking ahead, the East of England Co-op will continue to focus on the next phase of its growth strategy, including diversifying its services beyond its core operations of food and funeral services, leveraging its property portfolio and accelerating the use of technology to further enhance member and customer experience.  

As a proudly independent, member-owned organisation, the East of England Co-op remains committed to taking a long-term approach to investment and decision-making. Its focus will continue to be on creating value for members, supporting local communities and building a sustainable business for future generations.