Change at the top of Esselunga, the new CEO comes from Ahold Delhaize

A new era for Esselunga. As of November, Claude Sarrailh, who has been CEO of Ahold Delhaize for Europe and Indonesia for 21 months, will take on the role of CEO and general manager of Esselunga. "Almost ten years after the death of my father, a new phase of evolution and strengthening of governance opens for Esselunga," Marina Caprotti, Esselunga's executive chairman, said in a note. "We have chosen a manager with deep international experience in retail, capable of combining vision and operational concreteness. His knowledge of global markets, combined with a strong drive towards innovation and efficiency, is a key element in facing an increasingly competitive context. We are convinced that Claude Sarrailh's contribution will bring new impetus to the company's development and the strengthening of our brand, in continuity with our strategic plan and the values that have always distinguished us".

Marina Caprotti's choice towards the manager of the Dutch multinational actually follows the lines of continuity with the will of his father Bernardo, who in his will in the chapter "The future of Esselunga" had specified: "It is necessary to find, when the bad Italian times have improved, an international placement. Ahold would be ideal. Mercatona would not'.

The times from an economic point of view have now worsened, and so the executive president of Eselunga wanted to follow her father's advice by focusing on a long-standing manager from the world of pan-European retail. Sarrailh started his career at Carrefour in 1996 and after 10 years with the French group he joined Metro, rising to the top position of Chief Customer and Merchandise Officer, Member of the Management Board of METRO AG, in 2022. In September 2024, he was appointed CEO Europe & Indonesia and Member of the Management Board and Executive Committee of Ahold Delhaize, a giant with a turnover of approximately EUR 40 billion and 160,000 employees.

"I am very pleased to join Esselunga and to have the opportunity to lead such a distinctive and high-quality company. Esselunga represents an icon of Italian retail, with a strong identity and a unique position in the market," says Claude Sarrailh. "I look forward to working with the people of the company to further enhance their skills and build on this solid foundation, continuing to strengthen performance and accompanying Esselunga in its next phase of development.

Also dictating the timing of his entry into Esselunga is the retirement of Gabriele Villa, the current general manager and a historical figure in the company, after a long career at Esselunga characterised by a significant contribution and a long and relevant experience that led him to roles of increasing responsibility.