Changes in Delhaize Group’s executive leadership

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Belgian international food retailer Delhaize Group announced that Roland Smith, CEO of Delhaize America, and Pierre-Olivier Beckers, CEO of Delhaize Group, are leaving the company.

Smith, who assumed the role of president and CEO of Delhaize America and EVP of Delhaize Group in October 2012, resigned on Wednesday from his role as CEO of Delhaize America but will be available as a senior adviser to the CEO until the end of the year. Following Smith’s departure, the company’s U.S. operations will report to the Delhaize Group CEO.

Appointed as the new CEO of Delhaize Group is Frans Muller, effective Nov. 8. Muller will succeed Pierre-Olivier Beckers, who will remain available to advise the new CEO until year-end and continue to serve on the board of directors in a non-executive capacity thereafter. To ensure a seamless transition, Muller will join the company on Oct. 14, prior to assuming the role of CEO.

“I am delighted to welcome Frans to the Group. He has all the qualities to lead the company to the next level of its development and I look forward to working with him to ensure a smooth transition,” Beckers stated.

“Our U.S. business continues to deliver positive results and we have a solid foundation upon which to build. There is a strong leadership team in place and we look forward to further progress in the U.S. I want to thank Roland for his significant contributions to the success of Delhaize America, particularly the energy and focus he brought to the business. I am pleased that he will be available as a senior advisor to the CEO until the end of the year,” Beckers added.

Most recently, Muller served as member of the management board for Metro AG, an international retailing company, and CEO of Metro Cash & Carry, with direct responsibility for approximately 740 stores in 29 countries.