Dutch retail group Ahold Delhaize will have a new CEO for its American branch in five months’ time, as current CEO Kevin Holt plans to retire. The retailer already has its eyes on an internal successor, but he needs to earn shareholders’ approval.
Seamless transition
Holt, born in 1958, will have been CEO of Ahold Delhaize’s American branch for five years when he retires in April. He has announced his intention to not extend his tenure beyond the general shareholders’ meeting on 12 April 2023. The American national joined Delhaize in 2014 as CEO of Delhaize America and stayed on board after the merger with Ahold.
His intended successor is JJ Fleeman, currently the president of e-commerce subsidiary Peapod Digital Labs. Fleeman already has a 30-year long career in retail, most of which he has spent at retailers that now belong to the Ahold Delhaize group (such as Delhaize’s American branch Food Lion). Even though he is Ahold Delhaize’s preferred candidate, he still needs the shareholders’ approval on the general meeting next April.
In a press release, the Dutch retail group also said that Holt will continue in an advisory role, so that the transition of managers can be as seamless as possible.
