A global search is reportedly underway for the replacement of Woolworths’s CIO, Dan Beechman, who confirmed his departure from the chain yesterday afternoon.

Beecham, who joined Woolworths in 2007, will remain with the company for the short term, before heading to the UK to join British supermarket chain, Morrisons, in January.

A Woolworths spokesman confirmed  Beecham’s departure on Wednesday.

“Dan has been a valued member of the team here at Woolworths and we wish him well for the future. We are currently in the process of recruiting at new CIO,” the spokesperson said.

At Morrisons, one of Beecham’s first tasks will be to oversee the completion of the supermarket chain’s £300 million (A$511 million) overhaul of its internal IT system.