Ahold Delhaize Board Chairman to Retire

Jan Hommen, who has been chairman of Ahold Delhaize’s supervisory board since 2018, will retire effective Dec. 31 and will be succeeded by former Ikea CEO Peter Agnefjall, the Netherlands-based retailer said.

Jan Hommen

Hommen has a long tenure with the supervisory board of both Ahold Delhaize and before that, Ahold. At Ahold Delhaize, he has served as chairman between 2018 and 2020 and as vice chairman between 2016 and 2018. At Ahold, Hommen was chairman between 2013 and 2016 and as vice chairman between 2003 and 2007.

Ahold Delhaize’s 10-member supervisory board advises the retailer’s management board and oversees the general affairs, strategy and operational performance of the company.

Hommen, 76, formerly was CEO of ING Group N.V., CEO of KPMG Netherlands, CFO and vice chairman of the board of Royal Philips Electronics, and CFO of Aluminum Company of America Inc.

“Although it is hard to leave Ahold Delhaize, the timely preparation and clarity on transition is particularly important in view of the macro-economic uncertainty in the coming years,” Hommen said in a statement. “Peter has been an outstanding member of the board since he joined. He has extensive retail experience, leadership and knowledge of omnichannel and e-commerce, and is well-positioned to lead the board in supporting the company to deliver its leading together strategy.”

Agnefjall, 48, has been a member of Ahold Delhaize’s supervisory board since 2019. In preparation for the transition, he has been immediately installed as vice chairman of the board.

Peter Agnefjall

A native of Sweden, Agnefjall was president and CEO of the Ikea group from 2013 to 2017. He served in various management roles at the global home furnishings retailer since 1995. His appointment to chair of the supervisory board follows a recruitment and selection process comprising both internal and external candidates, Ahold Delhaize said.

“I am honored and excited to be appointed by the supervisory board as its new chairman,” Agnefjall said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Jan in preparation for the transition by the end of the year.”