THE NETHERLANDS - An established executive in the retail space will soon be stepping down from their role. It was recently announced that Wouter Kolk, Chief Executive Officer of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia, has decided to step down from the Management Board by the end of 2024.
“After careful consideration I have decided to leave Ahold Delhaize,” Kolk stated. “I have always loved this company, its people, and the business, and have spent the majority of my career at Ahold Delhaize and its brands, but I am at a point in my career where I feel I can also bring my leadership, passion, and experience to life at a different company. Having recently been nominated to join the Supervisory Board of AkzoNobel, I am looking forward to further broadening my horizon in the executive and non-executive space.”
Kolk joined Ahold in 1991 as a management trainee, a press release noted. Over the next 16 years, he served in several international commercial and general management roles, including Commercial Director Asia-Pacific based in Singapore, Regional Director Albert Heijn, General Manager Gall & Gall, and General Manager Etos.
After growing within the company and ultimately becoming CEO of Albert Heijn, he joined the Ahold Delhaize Management Board in October 2018 as CEO of Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia.
“We will miss Wouter as our colleague in the Management Board,” Frans Muller, President and CEO, stated. “His enthusiasm for, and detailed knowledge of, the business have been of outstanding value to our company. We are glad we have more time together in 2024 to plan for and ensure an effective transition.”
Peter Agnefjäll, Chair of the Supervisory Board, also commented.
“We thank Wouter for his passion and long-standing experience in our industry, which have contributed to our company's success. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors, which we know he will shape with the energy and curiosity he brings to everything he does,” said Agnefjäll.
Kolk will stay on as a Management Board Member through 2024. Information about succession will reportedly be shared in due course.
We wish the best of luck to Kolk on his next steps.
