Ahold has announced that Peter Wakkie has opted to retire from his position as chief corporate governance counsel and member of the Ahold executive board, effective 31 December 2009.
Having been initially appointed in 2003 to solve investigations and lawsuits faced by Ahold that year, he then went on to play an important role in the group's divestment programme and became chief architect of the company's corporate responsibility strategy.
Group CEO John Rishton praised the contribution of Mr Wakkie, and said that he had been a 'pivotal figure' in shaping Ahold's strategy for sustainable profitable growth.
'On a personal note, I have enjoyed working with Peter immensely and will miss him,' Mr Rishton added. Along with my colleagues on the corporate executive board, I thank him for the contribution he has made to Ahold and wish him all the best for the future, both personally and professionally.'
René Dahan, chairman of the Ahold supervisory board, said that Mr Wakkie's contributions had made an important difference to where the group currently stood.
'People with Peter Wakkie's personal and professional talent, competence and experience are extremely rare and valuable,' said Mr Dahan. 'We are grateful for the dedication with which Peter has served Ahold during a most challenging period in the company's history.'
A successor will be nominated later this year, according to the group.
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