Warehouse automation and food retail specialist Oliver Baggaley ends time at Ahold Delhaize

Oliver Baggaley has left food retail giant Ahold Delhaize, where, based in the Netherlands, he spent the past five years, holding a number of roles, most recently Director Global Warehouse Automation.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “After almost five incredible years at Ahold Delhaize, the time has come to share that I’ve stepped away from the company. I began in Group Strategy focused on digital and e-commerce - and was later asked to establish a new, group wide capability in warehouse automation.”

He added: “What I’m most proud of? Creating a new model of global collaboration that made our automation projects successful, improving efficiency, capacity and the working environment. I had the privilege of working closely with teams at Albert Heijn and bol (Netherlands), Delhaize Belgium, MEGA IMAGE - Ahold Delhaize Group (Romania), and ADUSA Distribution. I learnt about the local cultures, our unique brands, and how to tailor central expertise to individual projects.”

“A huge thank you to Oliver Ksionski (formerly of Ahold Delfhaize, now Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer at The North Face) or hiring me, Selma Postma (CDO Europe & Indonesia) for trusting me to establish our warehouse automation capability, and Chris Webster (SVP IT Strategy and Architecture) for enabling us to move to the next stage of growth. And last but not least, thank you to Frans Muller (President and CEO) for his continued and invaluable support of this transformation.

He concluded by saying that he will remain in food-retail innovation and continue to be based in the Netherlands, with further details to be revealed shorly.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Warehouse automation will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.