Godfreys has today announced the resignation of Kathy Cocovski as chief executive officer of the niche appliance retailer.

The chief executive has resigned after just five months in the job and will be temporarily replaced by a non-executive director.

Godfreys chairman Rod Walker said in a statement that former Woolworths executive Cocovski, who had been appointed as chief executive in January, had decided to resign for personal reasons.

She will be replaced in the interim by non-executive director and retail veteran John Hardy.

“We are naturally very disappointed Kathy has, for personal reasons, decided to resign after such a short period as CEO,” said Walker. “She has made significant inroads in making the fundamental changes Godfreys needs to set a course for improved long term performance.”

Walker said the company was confident in its leadership team moving forward, with Hardy at the helm. “Having previously spent several decades in senior management positions at Godfreys and having served for just over three months as a director this year, John will hit the ground running as interim managing director.”