Makro

German retail giant has parted company with four of its five senior management staff, including managing director Hannes Floto, at its UK self-service wholesale division Makro, it has been reported.

The news, which was announced by the company in a statement, comes as the group looks to achieve a sharp turnaround in what it deems to be an 'underperforming business'.

Wielding the knife was Dominique Minnaert, chief operating officer for Metro Southern Europe & UK, who also dismissed financial director Stefan Hesse, operations director Patrick Legro and customer director Mark Copeland.

'Due to differing views on the strategic direction of the company, the managing director and the responsible board members for customer management, finance and operations have left the company on amicable terms, based on mutual agreement,' Metro said in a statement on Friday.

Metro said professionals from consultancy AlixPartners would fill the four board seats at Makro UK.

As of Friday, 10 June 2011, Klaus Rättig had been installed as managing director, alongside three other new senior staff, namely: finance director Jens Koeppen, range and stock management director Dan Murphy and director of operations Martin Schumacher.

Offer management director Huw Edwards, who joined Makro earlier this year from Asda, takes on the role of commercial director with additional responsibilities for offer, merchandising and marketing.

'Makro currently runs 30 stores across Great Britain and is targeting a turnaround of its underperforming business,' Metro added. 'The new management team will ensure a fast and professional steering of this process.'