Delhaize Europe CEO resigns

Brussels — The CEO of Delhaize Group's European division has resigned, effective Oct. 31, the Belgian supermarket operator said.



Delhaize said Stefan Descheemaeker had decided to resign as CEO of Delhaize Europe, though the company did not give a reason. Delhaize said that as a result of Descheemaeker's departure, Delhaize Group EVP and Delhaize Group Southeast Europe and Asia CEO Kostas Macheras would report directly to group CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers, as would Delhaize Belgium CEO Dirk Van den Berghe, effective Nov. 1.



"I want to thank Stefan for his significant contribution to the success of Delhaize Europe and Delhaize Group," Beckers said. "In both his former capacity as CFO and then as CEO of Delhaize Europe, Stefan has been an energetic leader who raises the organization's focus on cash-flow generation and brought the company to a higher level of performance while steadfastly promoting the company values."



Incoming group CEO Frans Muller said he looked forward to working with Macheras and Van den Berghe in developing the company's European business.



"Equally, I look forward to partnering with our group CFO, Pierre Bouchut, so that we can continue improving the focus and performance of the overall group," Muller said. "This will be amongst my key priorities in addition to working directly with the Delhaize America team while I evaluate and search for the best candidate to fill the Delhaize America CEO role."