Co-operative Group Appoints Former Lidl UK CEO Ronny Gottschlich to Strengthen Board Leadership and Support Future Growth

Ronny Gottschlich, Co-op

(IN BRIEF) Co-operative Group has appointed Ronny Gottschlich as an Independent Non-Executive Director, adding significant international retail expertise to its Board. Formerly CEO of Lidl UK and a senior leader within the Schwarz Group, Gottschlich brings extensive experience in grocery retail, transformation, and strategic growth. His appointment supports Co-op’s long-term strategy to strengthen performance while delivering value to its seven million UK members and maintaining its purpose-driven, cooperative ethos.

(PRESS RELEASE) MANCHESTER, 29-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Co-operative Group has announced the appointment of Ronny Gottschlich as an Independent Non-Executive Director, strengthening its Board with extensive international retail leadership at a pivotal moment for the member-owned business.

Gottschlich brings decades of senior retail experience to the Board, having previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Lidl UK, alongside a range of senior leadership roles within the Schwarz Group across multiple European markets. In addition, he is the founder of Heunadel Retail Advisory, where he advises retailers on strategy, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.

His appointment comes as Co-op continues to progress its long-term strategy focused on strengthening commercial performance while delivering value for its seven million members across the UK. The Board sees Gottschlich’s background in large-scale grocery retail, transformation programmes, and customer-centric growth as a strong complement to its existing leadership.

Debbie White, Chair of Co-operative Group, said the appointment reflects the organisation’s ambition to build a resilient and future-focused Co-op. She highlighted Gottschlich’s depth of experience and understanding of modern retail operations as valuable assets as the business continues to evolve in a competitive market.

Ronny Gottschlich said he was looking forward to joining a business with a clear social purpose and strong member foundation. He noted the opportunity to work with the Board and leadership team to help deliver the next phase of the Co-op’s growth strategy, while remaining true to its cooperative values and community focus.

The appointment reinforces Co-op’s commitment to strong governance and experienced oversight as it balances commercial growth with ethical leadership across its food, funeral, insurance, and legal services operations.

ENDS

For further media enquiries please contact:

• Russ Brady, 07880 784442, russ.brady@coop.co.uk
• Cat Turner, 07834 090783, catherine.turner@coop.co.uk

About Co-op

Co-op Group is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, operating across food retail, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by 7 million active member-owners, Co-op exists to meet their needs and champion the causes they care about. With more than 2,300 food stores, 800 funeral homes and a wholesale business supplying around 8,000 additional outlets, Co-op employs 53,000 colleagues and generates annual revenues of over £11 billion. It is a recognised leader in ethical business and community-led programmes, creating long-term value for members and communities across the UK.

SOURCE: Co-operative Group Limited