Belgium-based supermarket group Delhaize Group today (7 October) revealed that its European chief executive, Stéfan Descheemaeker, has resigned.

Descheemaeker will exit the company at the end of the month. No reason was given for his departure.

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In a statement today (7 October), the company said that the news would mean Kostas Macheras, CEO of Delhaize’s business in south east Europe, and Dirk Van den Berghe, CEO of Delhaize Belgium, would report directly to Delhaize’s group CEO.

Delhaize has witnessed a number of executive changes at its senior management level. Former Metro executive Frans Muller was named group CEO last month. He will take the helm from outgoing chief executive Pierre-Olivier Beckers in November.

Following Muller’s appointment, US CEO Roland Smith resigned from the company amid speculation that he was dissatisfied with being overlooked for the role as group CEO.

Commenting on today’s news, Muller said his main priorities would be “building on the positive momentum of our European businesses to generate further progress”; working with CFO, Pierre Bouchut to “continue improving the focus and performance of the overall group”; and working directly with the US team while a new CEO is sought.

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Click here to view just-food’s analysis of the implications of Delhaize’s management shake up. 

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