Shutters come down for boss of Morrisons
Dalton Philips is to step down as chief executive of Morrisons earlier than planned, leaving finance chief Trevor Strain to take on the role from Monday on an interim basis.
The Bradford-based supermarket announced last month that it was time “for a fresh pair of eyes” to help revive the ailing business and that Philips would step down at the time of its end of year results in March.
However, Morrisons said yesterday that his leaving date has been pushed forward to Monday: “The board and Philips have jointly agreed that as the new financial year begins it is the appropriate time for Dalton to relinquish his responsibilities.” Chairman Andy Higginson said a search for his successor was “progressing well”.
Morrisons has been particularly hard hit by the rise of discounters and its late entry into the online and convenience sectors.
Higginson has said that given the tough environment being chief executive “was not a job for people with L-plates.”