Ahold Delhaize brings its U.S. companies together under new parent company, CEO

Ahold Delhaize on Thursday named Kevin Holt CEO of its newly minted Ahold Delhaize USA division, which will serve as the parent company for all of Ahold Delhaize's U.S. companies, including its local brands, Stop & Shop, Food Lion, Giant, Hannaford, Giant/Martin's and Peapod, as well as Retail Business Services, the U.S. shared services company providing support to the brands.



"Combining the parent companies of the U.S. brands and RBS is the natural next step in our brand-centric strategy in the U.S.," Ahold Delhaize CEO Dick Boer said. "Kevin is an outstanding leader with extensive food retail experience and a great choice to guide our U.S. businesses through this time of continuing change and evolving customer expectations."



Holt currently is COO of Ahold USA. In this new role, effective Jan. 1, 2018, he will remain a member of Ahold Delhaize's management board and executive committee and will continue to report Boer.

"I'm excited that we are moving into this next phase where we can focus on further strengthening our brands and winning in our markets," Holt said. "Ahold Delhaize USA and its U.S. brands are well positioned to continue to drive growth and innovation and meet the evolving needs of customers, both in stores and online."

The company said that Frans Muller, deputy CEO Ahold Delhaize and chief integration officer, who serves as acting COO Delhaize America will focus on the continued smooth integration of Ahold Delhaize.

Holt joined Delhaize Group in 2014 as CEO Delhaize America and transitioned to COO Ahold USA in 2017. Prior to joining Ahold Delhaize, he served in executive leadership roles at Supervalu and Meijer.