Sutherland’s departure comes after he said efforts to overhaul the business became “impossible” because of the Co-op’s failure to change its governance, the BBC reports.
He said in a statement that he resigned with “with great sadness”, adding he will “not accept” retention and bonus payments previously agreed.
Co-op chairwoman Ursula Lidbetter said she accepted Sutherland’s resignation with “deep regret”.
She added: “Euan’s resignation must now act as a catalyst for the real and necessary change which the group must go through.”
In his resignation letter Sutherland said the governance structure of Co-op limited the reforms he wanted to implement.
“Until the group adopts professional and commercial governance it will be impossible to implement what my team and I believe are the necessary changes and reforms to renew the Group and give it a relevant and sustainable future.”
