Ocado Group has announced the appointment of Richard Haythornthwaite as independent non-executive chairman of the board.
Richard HaythornthwaiteHe will replace Stuart Rose who will be retiring from the role next year, after 8 years of service.
Mr Haythornthwaite will join the board with effect from January 2021, before assuming the chairman’s role in May.
Mr Haythornthwaite has held the position of chairman of Mastercard Inc. since 2006 and he will retire from the role at the end of the year. He is also the chairman and co-founder of QiO Technologies Ltd, an advanced analytics and AI software company.
He has previously served as CEO of listed companies Invensys plc and Blue Circle Industries plc. His other senior board appointments have included Cookson Group plc, Lafarge SA, Imperial Chemical Industries plc, Land Securities plc, Network Rail Limited, Better Regulation Commission and Centrica plc.
Lord Rose will remain chairman of the board to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities to in May. Mr Haythornthwaite will be a member of the nomination committee and will chair that committee after Lord Rose’s retirement.
Tim Steiner, chief executive of Ocado Group, said: “As Chairman, Stuart has overseen the transformation of the business from a UK-focused FTSE 250 online grocer to a FTSE-100 global technology company. His guidance, counsel and strategic vision have been invaluable to the Board, and to me personally, as we have grown the business in a sustainable way to the benefit of all our stakeholders. His legacy will endure for many years to come.
“At the same time, I am delighted to welcome Rick as our new Chairman. He has substantial experience of leading and chairing a range of high profile industrial and technology companies. He will play a key role helping us to navigate a post-COVID future in which the landscape of the grocery market worldwide is changing for good and, using his experience at Mastercard, to help us scale up and take advantage of the very significant global opportunities ahead.”
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