Delhaize Group Names Frans Muller CEO, Succeeding Pierre-Olivier Beckers

(RTTNews) - Belgian food retailer Delhaize Group (DEG) announced Wednesday that it has appointed Frans Muller as Chief Executive Officer, effective November 8, 2013. Muller will succeed Pierre-Olivier Beckers upon his retirement. Beckers will remain available to advise the new Chief Executive Officer until year-end and continue to serve on the Board of Directors in a non-executive capacity thereafter.

The company said Muller will join the company on October 14, 2013, prior to assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer.

Frans Muller, 52, has more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in retail. Most recently, Muller served as Member of the Management Board of Metro AG, an international retailing company, and Chief Executive Officer of Metro Cash & Carry.

In addition, the company announced that Roland Smith is resigning today from his role as Chief Executive Officer of Delhaize America but will be available as a senior advisor to the Chief Executive Officer until the end of the year. Following Smith's departure, the company's U.S. operations will report to the Delhaize Group CEO.