Christina Blacklaws, director of Co-Operative Legal Services, has quit to set up an alternative business service consultancy, the group confirmed today.

Family specialist Blacklaws, who joined the group in 2011 with fellow TV Edwards partner Jenny Beck to spearhead the launch of CLS’s family law service, left at the end of last month.

A CLS spokesman said: ‘We would like to thank Christina for her contribution to CLS and the development of our family law practice. We wish her well in her future career.’

The news broke as the troubled group also suffered the resignation of senior independent director Lord Myners, appointed to the board to steady the ship after the near collapse of the Co-op Bank. The Co-operative Group will publish its delayed results on 17 April.

Blacklaws delined to comment on her departure.