Dutch supermarket operator Albert Heijn, part of the Royal Ahold group, has confirmed the appointment of Cees van Vliet as its new managing director.
Mr Van Vliet will succeed the current MD Sander van der Laan, who is taking up the role of chief operating officer at Ahold, on 1 March 2011.
Mr Van Vliet joined Albert Heijn in 1994 and is currently the company's director of retail and distribution.
Mr Van der Laan's predecessor as COO, Dick Boer, was recently named as the new chief executive of Ahold.
'I'm glad we are able to appoint such an experienced manager as our managing director,' Mr Boer commented on Mr Van Vliet's appointment.
'Cees has made a valuable contribution to Albert Heijn's growth in recent years and will continue to do so in future,' he added.
