Ahold Appoints S.V.P. Corporate Communications, Completes Tops C-store Sales
ZAANDAM, the Netherlands -- Ahold yesterday said it has named Kerry Underhill s.v.p. corporate communications, effective July 1. In this position he will report to president and c.e.o., Anders Moberg.
Underhill will be responsible for corporate affairs, food safety and consumer affairs, investor relations, issue management, media relations and marketing & internal communications.
Underhill, who holds dual British/New Zealand nationality, served most recently as managing director at Deutsche Bank A.G. in London. He led the investment bank's communications and marketing divisions before concentrating on internal communications for the investment banking, private banking, asset management, and retail divisions. Underhill has also held executive communication positions with UBS AG and the Swiss Bank Corporation, as well as a public relations consultancy. A specialist in change communication, crisis management and e-communications, and a regular public speaker on communication trends, Underhill worked as a journalist in various spots around the world, before moving into the financial services industry.
"We are delighted to have found a highly experienced all-rounder to spearhead our communications strategy as we reach the intersection of the Road to Recovery and our future strategic direction," said Moberg. Underhill succeeds Kiki Stiemer, who, after a year as interim s.v.p. communications, will continue to focus on Ahold's longer-term strategy in a support role to the c.e.o. and corporate executive management.
In other Ahold news, the company also said yesterday that it had successfully wound up the sale of its chain of 198 Wilson Farms and Sugarcreek convenience stores, part of its U.S. subsidiary Tops Markets, LLC. The transaction with WFI Acquisition, Inc., a corporation formed by Nanco Enterprises, Inc. and Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co, Inc, was first revealed April 28.
Underhill will be responsible for corporate affairs, food safety and consumer affairs, investor relations, issue management, media relations and marketing & internal communications.
Underhill, who holds dual British/New Zealand nationality, served most recently as managing director at Deutsche Bank A.G. in London. He led the investment bank's communications and marketing divisions before concentrating on internal communications for the investment banking, private banking, asset management, and retail divisions. Underhill has also held executive communication positions with UBS AG and the Swiss Bank Corporation, as well as a public relations consultancy. A specialist in change communication, crisis management and e-communications, and a regular public speaker on communication trends, Underhill worked as a journalist in various spots around the world, before moving into the financial services industry.
"We are delighted to have found a highly experienced all-rounder to spearhead our communications strategy as we reach the intersection of the Road to Recovery and our future strategic direction," said Moberg. Underhill succeeds Kiki Stiemer, who, after a year as interim s.v.p. communications, will continue to focus on Ahold's longer-term strategy in a support role to the c.e.o. and corporate executive management.
In other Ahold news, the company also said yesterday that it had successfully wound up the sale of its chain of 198 Wilson Farms and Sugarcreek convenience stores, part of its U.S. subsidiary Tops Markets, LLC. The transaction with WFI Acquisition, Inc., a corporation formed by Nanco Enterprises, Inc. and Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co, Inc, was first revealed April 28.