CFO Pierre Bouchut also to leave Delhaize?

“Bouchut prime Veolia candidate”

Bouchut is apparently the prime candidate to fill the spot of CFO at Veolia, the world’s largest water and waste management
company, according to French newspaper Les
Echos. Bouchut apparently applied for the position, alongside two “general
managers of middle-sized companies”.

Current CFO Pierre-François Riolacci has announced his departure at the beginning of September, moving to
the Air-France-KLM airline group.

Delhaize drained empty?

The rumours remain unconfirmed and a decision has not yet been made, but if
Bouchut does leave Delhaize for Veolia, it would mean the departure of a third
important manager since it was announced that Frans Muller would take over as
Delhaize Group CEO.

First to leave was American Roland
Smith, followed by European CEO Stéfan Descheemaeker last week. Both had
ambitions to become Delhaize Group CEO, but it is unclear whether losing out on
that promotion has something to do with Pierre Bouchut’s eventual departure.

Delhaize CEO Muller wants “close collaboration”

Bouchut had moved from Carrefour in
2012, after missing out on becoming the CEO over there, a position now
filled by Georges Plassat. He had been the prime candidate for that position
and he might feel the same way now after Muller got the nod as new CEO.

It demonstrates why Muller had mentioned Pierre Bouchut so explicitly in the press
release surrounding Stéfan Descheemaker’s departure. He emphasized he would be
“working closely with Pierre Bouchut”, which
may have served as a way to cut rumours short.