Ahold Delhaize plans to nominate J.J. Fleeman as CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA. Fleeman has served as president of Peapod Digital Labs and chief commercial and digital officer of Ahold Delhaize USA since May 2018. The appointment is expected to become official during the company's annual shareholders meeting in April. Fleeman's appointment, which will also include an appointment to the Management Board of Ahold Delhaize, is subject to shareholder approval at the meeting.
In announcing the news, Peter Agnefjäll, the chair of the supervisory board of Ahold Delhaize, said “J.J. 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 (Holt) has so carefully developed and implemented with the team over the past few years."
Agnefjäll praised retiring CEO Kevin Holt for the company’s growth and leadership transition. "It is a testament to Kevin’s leadership that we were able to select his successor from our own ranks.”
The president and CEO of Ahold Delhaize, Frans Muller, echoed those sentiments. “Under Kevin’s leadership, our U.S. businesses have performed exceptionally well, and he has always led with customers and associates in mind,” he said.
Fleeman has spent the majority of his 30-year career in grocery retail in Ahold Delhaize companies, including Food Lion, the company’s largest U.S. brand, serving a diverse array of executive leadership roles. He is expected to take over the job in April 2023.