Associated British Foods Plc ( ASBFY.PK, ABF.L ) said on Monday that Primark Chief Executive Paul Marchant has stepped down from his role, with immediate effect. Primark is the retail divison of Associated British Foods. The food processing and retailing company said that Eoin Tonge, ABF Finance Director, will function as Primark Chief Executive on an interim basis, working with the senior Primark management team and Strategic Advisory Board. Joana Edwards, ABF Group Financial Controller, will take over as the interim ABF Finance Director. Associated British Foods said that Paul Marchant's departure follows an investigation by ABF, conducted by external lawyers, into an allegation regarding his behaviour towards an individual, in a social setting. He cooperated, acknowledged his poor judgment, and accepted that his actions did not meet ABF's standards.