Ocado Group is poised to appoint Adam Warby, a former Microsoft executive, as its new chairman, according to sources.
Adam Warby, currently the chairman of executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, has emerged as a candidate for the chairman position at Ocado Group. Sky News reports that city insiders have tipped Warby for the role, with a possible appointment as soon as next month. Warby’s extensive experience includes eight years at Microsoft and sixteen years at IT consultancy Avanade, where he serves as chief executive emeritus. Additionally, he is a senior adviser at the private equity firm KKR.
Should Warby accept the post at Ocado, he would succeed Rick Haythornthwaite, who announced his resignation from the position in April. Haythornthwaite cited an increased commitment to his role as chairman of NatWest as the reason for his departure. Ocado’s chief executive, Tim Steiner, expressed disappointment over Haythornthwaite’s decision but acknowledged the importance of his new responsibilities at NatWest. Steiner praised Haythornthwaite for his contributions towards strengthening corporate governance and supporting the company through significant growth phases over the past three years.
Amidst speculation, it remains unclear whether Warby would relinquish his other current roles if he were to be appointed as chairman of Ocado. His varied leadership tenure across prominent technological and consultancy sectors marks him as a strategic choice for the role, potentially steering Ocado through its next growth phase.
The potential appointment of Adam Warby as chairman signifies Ocado’s forward-thinking approach to leadership with a focus on strategic growth and governance.
