Co-op chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq has apologised to the retailer’s 6.5 million members after confirming all had personal data stolen in a major cyber-attack in April.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Khoury-Haq said she was “incredibly sorry”, adding: “I’m devastated that information was taken. I’m also devastated by the impact that it took on our colleagues, as well as they tried to contain all of this.”

“It hurt my members. They took their data and it hurt our customers, and that I do take personally.”

The breach forced Co-op to shut down parts of its IT systems, and while no payment data was taken, it is understood names, addresses and contact details were accessed.

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Co-op has now partnered with cyber-security business The Hacking Games to help identify and train young cyber talent as part of its response.

The attack was one of several affecting major UK retailers earlier this year, with high street giant M&S and and luxury retailer Harrods also targeted.

Four people were arrested last week in connection with the hacks, including a 20-year-old woman and three teenagers.

Co-op said it is still working to restore its systems but has not put a figure on the cost of the breach.