When Shirine Khoury-Haq lost her daughter shortly after giving birth, she couldn't begin to imagine how she'd function again - let alone return to work.
"Some people call it woke but I completely disagree," she said, during an interview with Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on BBC Radio 4. "I went into labour early and there were issues that weren't diagnosed," she told the BBC. "I was off for several weeks, I nearly died. Employees at the Co-operative Group are now encouraged to talk openly about fertility issues, and are able to take unlimited time off whilst seeking treatment. Khoury-Haq has also introduced special bereavement leave for her staff.
As well as supporting staff through grief, the CEO has also been praised for her response to the cost of living crisis, which has affected both her customers and her own employees.