Ahold Delhaize has announced that Kevin Holt, CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA, plans to retire and step down from the Ahold Delhaize management board when his term expires at the annual general meeting of shareholders on April 12, 2023. Ahold Delhaize will nominate JJ Fleeman as member of the Ahold Delhaize Management Board and CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA at the meeting. Holt will remain with Ahold Delhaize USA in an advisory capacity until he retires at the end of 2023, to ensure a seamless transition.
Fleeman has served as president of Peapod Digital Labs and chief commercial and digital officer of Ahold Delhaize USA since May 2018. Through Peapod Digital Labs, a center of excellence that drives digital and e-commerce innovation, technology and experience to meet the changing needs of customers at Ahold Delhaize USA companies, Fleeman is responsible for enabling the local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA to deliver an unparalleled omnichannel grocery experience.
Peter Agnefjäll, chair of the supervisory board of Ahold Delhaize, stated: “JJ is an inspiring leader who will advance the U.S. businesses through omnichannel market share growth and who will continue to deliver on the Connected Customer strategy that Kevin has so carefully developed and implemented with the team over the past few years. It is a testament to Kevin’s leadership that we were able to select his successor from our own ranks.”
Frans Muller, president and CEO of Ahold Delhaize, said, “While Kevin will be with us for another year and we will formally say goodbye next year, I want to use this opportunity to thank him for his outstanding service and leadership to the Ahold Delhaize Management Board and companies of Ahold Delhaize USA – including its predecessor companies. Under Kevin’s leadership, our U.S. businesses have performed exceptionally well, and he has always led with customers and associates in mind.”
Holt added, “My time at the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA have been some of the best years of my career in retail. I’m very proud of how our teams have ensured that our brands remain locally relevant and serve customers through our omnichannel offerings. I look forward to continuing to see our businesses thrive under JJ’s leadership.”
Holt has held his current post since January 2018. Prior to that, he was COO of Ahold USA beginning in October 2016 and was COO of Delhaize America beginning in 2016. He had earlier served as executive vice president of Delhaize Group and CEO of Delhaize America, starting in 2014.
Holt served as president of retail operations for Supervalu before joining Delhaize Group. During his tenure, the company owned the Albertsons, Jewel-Osco and Save-A-Lot chains and was the third largest food retailing company in the U.S. Prior to Supervalu, Holt held executive leadership positions with Sears Holding Company and Meijer.
Fleeman has spent the majority of his 30-year career in grocery retail in Ahold Delhaize companies, including its largest U.S. brand, Food Lion, serving a diverse array of executive leadership roles, covering strategy, commercial, digital, retail operations, marketing and merchandising. He will continue to be based in Salisbury, NC, and spend time across other U.S. offices.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity to serve as CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA and work alongside our associates who are passionate about serving their customers and communities each and every day,” added Fleeman. “The U.S. businesses are very strong, with the local brands holding leading market positions where each of these companies operate. We are a proud part of the communities we serve, providing access to affordable, healthy and sustainable food to millions of customers every day.”
Muller concluded: “My executive committee colleagues and I look forward to welcoming JJ to our leadership team and together delivering value to customers every day. Our U.S. businesses are an important part of our strong global portfolio that we will continue to build on. We are fortunate that we’re able to work together with both Kevin and JJ over the next few months as we prepare for this leadership transition.”
