13 Mar 2008


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Sir Ken made honorary president of Morrisons


Morrisons

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Sir Ken Morrison has accepted the title of honorary president of the supermarket group that bears his name as he steps down after 55 years with the company.

The company said: “In this ambassadorial role, he will continue the strong relationship with employees, communities and shoppers which has characterised his long and distinguished career.”

Morrisons confirmed this morning that Sir Ken would retire as chairman and director of the company with effect from today.

Sir Ian Gibson, currently deputy chairman, will succeed him, as non-executive chairman.

Sir Ian said: “Sir Ken is the outstanding example of a truly great retailer. His achievements in scale and length of service are remarkable.”

The Morrions board said in a statement: “We are proud to pay tribute to Sir Ken Morrison on his retirement from the company after 55 years of inspirational and dedicated leadership.

“During this time he has transformed Morrisons from a small, family business into the UK's fourth largest food retailer and a top five food producer, with 375 stores and 117,000 colleagues, serving over nine million customers a week.”

It said his career had been characterised by a hands-on approach that often saw him out on the shop floor.

Sir Ken said: “I have been with the business now for some 55 years and must say that the experience has been both demanding and fulfilling, but nonetheless it has always been enjoyable.

“It seems a long time since I was demobilised from the army in 1952 and started to learn about how to run a retail grocery business. I believe that over the years I have learned one or two things and would set out what I consider to be the important aspects for my successor.

“I think it is important to assume a leading position and to never forget the business principles that we might be a large company and fairly sophisticated but we do carry out a simple task – we buy things and sell them.

“Our task is to ensure that we always please the customer with the quality of what we offer for sale and that at all times we ensure outstanding value for money. This can only be achieved by strict control of all costs and remaining in touch with all aspects of what is a fascinating industry.”

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James	13 Mar 2008 13:17:09
I have a lot of admiration for Sir Ken Morrison. We all too easily forget the importance of soul and family and real principles in business today, businesses like Tesco were also once family run and proud, but is now nothing more than a mammoth money making machine. It should never be underestimated what value Sir Ken Morrison and his principles has bestowed upon Morrisons. And they would do very well to keep true to his principles and keep that special thing that sets Morrisons apart, they have real soul as a business and real beliefs and values and that makes me want to shop there.