Ocado Group is set to appoint Adam Warby, an ex-Microsoft executive, as its new chairman.
- Warby is currently the chairman of KKR and is seen as a frontrunner to replace Rick Haythornthwaite.
- The appointment follows Haythornthwaite’s decision to focus on commitments at NatWest Group.
- Confirmation of Warby’s role could occur as early as November, according to insiders.
- Warby brings extensive experience from his roles at Microsoft, IBM, and SoftwareONE.
Ocado Group is poised to appoint Adam Warby, known for his tenure as an executive at Microsoft, as its new chairman. The move is in line with the company’s strategic leadership restructuring following Rick Haythornthwaite’s impending departure.
Warby, who is currently leading the board at KKR, has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Haythornthwaite. This leadership transition is viewed as pivotal given Ocado’s position in the grocery sector and its focus on technology-driven innovations.
Insiders from the financial sector have indicated that Warby’s confirmation in the chairman role might be formalised as early as November. Such a swift appointment underscores the urgency of Ocado’s leadership change, aligning with Haythornthwaite’s planned exit due to his commitments with NatWest Group.
Rick Haythornthwaite’s decision not to seek re-election was announced in April, marking a significant shift in Ocado’s board leadership. This decision was attributed to his increasing responsibilities at NatWest, highlighting the complexities and demands faced by high-level executives juggling multiple roles.
Tim Steiner, chief executive of Ocado, commented on Haythornthwaite’s departure, acknowledging his contributions to strengthening corporate governance and providing strategic counsel that helped the company’s growth over the past three years. Warby’s potential chairmanship is anticipated to continue this trajectory, given his comprehensive background and leadership capabilities demonstrated at renowned corporations like Microsoft and IBM.
The expected appointment of Adam Warby signifies a strategic step for Ocado in navigating its future leadership and market ambitions.
