Ocado Solutions CEO to step down in September

Ocado Group has today (27 July) announced that Luke Jensen has notified the board of his intention to retire and will step down as executive director and CEO of Ocado Solutions with effect from 30 September 2023 to focus on external non-executive director positions. Jensen has been CEO of Ocado Solutions since 2017 and a member of the board since 2018. During his time at Ocado, he has played an instrumental role in building the Ocado Solutions business globally. From signing the first international partnership with Bon Preu in 2017, to the most recent agreement with Lotte in Korea, Ocado Solutions is now partnered with twelve of the world's biggest and most exciting food retailers whose online businesses are powered by Ocado's technologies, delivering the best customer experience for grocery online with superior economics. The company further announced that John Martin, current non-executive director at Ocado will be appointed as CEO of Ocado Solutions on 1 September 2023, allowing a period of time for a thorough handover from Jensen before he retires. On appointment into this role, Martin will cease to be a member of the board and will step down as chair of the audit committee and as a member of the people committee. As a result of Martin's change in role, Ocado further announced that Rachel Osborne, due to join the board as a non-executive director on 1 September, will assume the role of audit chair with effect from the same date. Osborne previously served as the chief financial officer of Debenhams plc, Domino's Pizza Group plc and was finance director of the John Lewis Division within the John Lewis Partnership. Commenting on his decision to step down from the Ocado Board, Jensen said: "I am proud and honoured to have played a part in the transformation of Ocado from a UK retail company to a global leader in technology solutions. “With the roll-out of its latest innovations underway, Ocado is better placed than ever to support its partners to win in their markets, and to forge new partnerships with leading grocers across the globe. I wish Ocado every success for the future.” Tim Steiner, chief executive officer of Ocado, said: “Over the last six years, Luke has played a key role in our transformation into a global technology solutions business. He leaves our Solutions business in a strong position to drive future growth, having recently established a global regional structure, with the appointments of regional presidents and the creation of a global Partner Success organisation. “We wish him well and thank him for his contribution to Ocado. Luke will be supporting the transition over the coming months.” Rick Haythornthwaite, chairman of Ocado, said: “I would like to thank Luke on behalf of the board for his valuable contribution to the company, the board and Ocado Solutions. I am delighted that John Martin will step into this role to deepen further the support of our clients as well as help shape our strategic direction and performance culture. John has extensive strategic, operational and financial management experience of running large international businesses. “The board believes he is the right successor to Luke with the required credentials to build on a strong foundation.”