Ocado Group has announced the appointment of a new chair, Adam Warby. This change marks a new chapter for the company.
- Warby, stepping in as an independent non-executive director from 1 November, will officially take over as chair on 1 December.
- The outgoing chair, Richard Haythornthwaite, is leaving due to increased commitments at NatWest Group.
- Adam Warby brings a wealth of experience from his role at Heidrick & Struggles and as an advisor to KKR.
- Warby expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities and future growth of Ocado.
Ocado Group has officially confirmed the appointment of Adam Warby as the new chair, signifying a significant leadership change for the company. Warby, who previously held the position of chair at executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, is set to bring his extensive experience to Ocado. His entry as an independent non-executive director on 1 November will precede his stepping into the role of chair on 1 December.
Richard Haythornthwaite, the current chair, is stepping down to focus on his growing responsibilities as chair of the NatWest Group. He took on the role of chair at Ocado in January 2021. Haythornthwaite’s departure is driven by his increasing commitments, necessitating a transition in leadership at Ocado Group.
Adam Warby’s appointment was accompanied by his comments, expressing honour and excitement about joining Ocado. Warby said, “It is a huge honour to join the Ocado board as chair designate. Ocado is a unique and innovative business, and a tremendous success story for the UK. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, working with a visionary leadership team, an experienced board, and the many talented colleagues across Ocado to grow the business and create greater value for our shareholders.”
Warby is also involved with private equity giant KKR as a senior advisor, and formerly served as CEO emeritus of Avanade, a management consulting firm. His role at Ocado will also include serving as a member of the online grocer’s people committee upon joining the board. The appointment is viewed as a strategic move to leverage Warby’s expertise to drive further success and growth for Ocado.
Adam Warby’s leadership is anticipated to usher in a new era of growth and innovation for Ocado Group.
