Somerfield loses a second top director
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SOMERFIELD, THE struggling supermarket group, parted company with another board member yesterday, when it announced that Tony O'Neill, head of its Somerfield stores division, is leaving with immediate effect.
His responsibilities will be assumed by David Simons, chief executive, who last month confirmed plans to sell off the 140 largest Somerfield outlets and 350 Kwik Save stores.
Mr O'Neill, who only assumed the role earlier this year, was employed on a one-year contract and received a salary of pounds 200,000 last year.
Somerfield said Mr Simons was "grabbing the reins" of the Somerfield stores which will form by far the largest part of the group.
Philip Dorgan, retail analyst at WestLB Panmure, said: "It probably makes sense, although they seem to change their management round there every time David Simons washes his socks."
Mr Dorgan questioned the timing of the announcement, saying: "If this is such a good idea why wasn't it announced a month ago? I think it is because he [Mr Simons] has been advised to do it, which makes you wonder who is running the company."
Somerfield is due to report results on 11 January and update the market on the progress of its store sales.
The shares closed 1.5p lower at 86p.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments