Supermarket group Ahold Delhaize appoints new CEO

European supermarket group Ahold Delhaize has announced that its current CEO Dick Boer will retire this year, and that Frans Muller will succeed him on 1 July 2018.

Muller has over 20 years of experience in the retail industry and served as the deputy CEO and chief integration officer of Ahold Delhaize from July 2016, where he oversaw the integration of Dutch supermarket group Ahold and Belgian supermarket Delhaize into one company.

Muller also served as the president and CEO of Delhaize group from 2013 prior to the merger, and also temporarily led Delhaize America from October 2016 to January 2018.

Boer joined Ahold in 1998 as the CEO of Ahold Czech Republic, and served as the CEO of Ahold Delhaize from July 2016.

The company says Boer will work closely with Muller up to the 1 July to ensure a smooth transition and will remain available in an advisory role to the company until mid-2019.

Mr Muller said: “I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to lead this company with such powerful brands, incredible talent and long-term growth potential – a combination that sets us apart globally.

“Our success will be based upon delivering a great and seamless shopping experience for our customers, both in stores and online.

“Building on the solid foundations established under Dick’s leadership, we will continue to drive innovation and growth in stores and online as we execute our strategy and create value for all our stakeholders.

“My focus will be on delivering our promises to be a better place to shop, better place to work and better neighbour – every day.”

Mats Jansson, chairman of the Ahold Delhaize’s supervisory board, said: “We thank Dick for his leadership and dedication throughout his 20-year career at Ahold Delhaize and Ahold.

“Dick’s accomplishments include the successful repositioning of Albert Heijn to market leadership, strategically building Ahold’s portfolio into brands with number one and two positions in the markets they serve, and introducing digital, eCommerce and sustainability as integrated parts of the business.

“Frans brings a wealth of retail experience and a deep knowledge of our company, brands and US and European markets, making him the natural choice as next CEO.

“We are confident that Frans is the right person to lead the company into its next phase.”