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Zaandam, the Netherlands, April 10, 2024 – Today, Ahold Delhaize held its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) in a hybrid set-up, meaning shareholders had the opportunity to attend and ask questions both in-person and virtually. Shareholders adopted all proposals on the agenda, including Ahold Delhaize’s 2023 financial statements and (re)appointments to the Supervisory Board of Ahold Delhaize.
The meeting was attended by 147 shareholders, representing approximately 639 million shares. The meeting was webcast live via the Ahold Delhaize website. Shareholders who joined the AGM in-person could vote either in advance or during the AGM and could ask questions during the meeting.
Shareholders adopted Ahold Delhaize’s 2023 financial statements and agreed to the proposed 2023 annual dividend of €1.10 per common share for the full year. An amount of €0.49 per common share was paid as interim dividend on August 31, 2023. The remaining amount of €0.61 per common share shall be payable on April 25, 2024. KPMG was appointed as the external auditor for the financial year 2025.
During his speech, Ahold Delhaize CEO Frans Muller said: “Reflecting on 2023, it's clear that last year was characterized by constant change, as we faced numerous challenges including high inflation, global conflicts, and increasing societal polarization. Our teams across all brands have shown resilience and agility, and thanks to the unwavering dedication of our associates, we have been able to make a difference for each of our brands 63 million individual customers, and for local communities. I am proud of the remarkable community initiatives undertaken by our great local brands throughout 2023, contributing over 240 million euros in charitable cash, product, and food donations.”
“Only a healthy, stable company can continue to invest in local economies, sustainability, innovation, digitalization, and stores. That’s why I’m pleased that we were able to present solid results in 2023, meeting all of our key financial goals for the year. This includes generating over €1.25 billion in cost savings, which is over €250 million more than we had originally planned. This enabled the brands to keep prices as low as possible for customers,” CEO Frans Muller continued.
“2024 will be an important year for Ahold Delhaize as we enter a phase of new momentum. We are excited to provide more details about our future plans and strategic initiatives to build the next phase of growth and value creation for our company during our Strategy Day in May, which will be shared via webcast”.
(Re)appointments to the Supervisory Board
Shareholders approved the appointment of Robert Jan van de Kraats and Laura Miller as new members of the Supervisory Board. Peter Agnefjäll, Chair of the Supervisory Board: “We are pleased with the appointment of Laura and Robert Jan to our Supervisory Board. Both are experienced executives who will bring extensive knowledge and expertise to Ahold Delhaize. We extend a warm welcome to them and wish them every success in their new roles.”
As of today, the longstanding and valuable tenure of René Hooft Graafland, who has served on Ahold’s and later Ahold Delhaize’s Supervisory Board since January 2015, will be ending. “We want to thank René for his significant and outstanding contributions during his tenure to the Supervisory Board and as Chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee. His extensive knowledge, financial expertise and good judgement will be greatly missed” added Peter Agnefjäll.
The AGM also approved the reappointment of Bill McEwan, Helen Weir and Frank van Zanten as members of the Supervisory Board.
For more information about Ahold Delhaize’s 2024 AGM, see here.
Cautionary notice
This communication includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words and expressions such as full year, shall, 2024, 2025, clear, constant, challenges, dedication, able, remarkable, contributing, can, continue, solid, goals, enabled, will, momentum, provide, experienced or other similar words or expressions are typically used to identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and that may cause actual results of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V. (the “Company”) to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the Company’s public filings and other disclosures. Forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company’s management and assumptions based on information currently available to the Company’s management. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such statements, except as required by law.