Ahold names Boer its new CEO

AMSTERDAM Supermarket giant Ahold said Thursday it has named Dick Boer CEO, effective March 2011. The company also has tapped Carl Schlicker to replace Larry Benjamin as COO of its Ahold USA division, which generates roughly 60% of its total revenues.

Boer, currently COO of Ahold Europe, will replace current chief executive John Rishton, who will retire in March to become CEO of Rolls-Royce. He is a 12-year Ahold veteran credited with leading the success of the company’s Albert Heijn chain, and was part of a new management team brought into Ahold to restore its credibility and momentum following a major accounting scandal in 2003.

According to a report from Reuters, Boer said he will maintain a relatively aggressive acquisition strategy for Ahold and its U.S. division.

Schlicker, who currently is CEO of Ahold USA Retail, will assume his new post in early 2011 upon the retirement of Benjamin. He will report directly to Boer, the Dutch-based retailer announced.

“This structure will ensure that the new COOs spend their time managing and strengthening the businesses, while the board focuses on strategy and growth,” Ahold noted Thursday.