Data and AI governance specialist Roel Willems departs Ahold Delhaize after decade long run at retailer
Roel Willems has announced his departure from Ahold Delhaize Group where he served as Director, Data & AI Governance - Global. In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Last Friday marked my last day at Ahold Delhaize, after more than a decade. I've always worked here with real pleasure.”
“I joined with a blauw har for Albert Heijn and picked up a green one for Ahold Delhaize along the way. So it's bittersweet, but it's time for a next phase: helping other companies navigate the intersection of strategy, data and AI, and the foundations that make it all work, as an independent advisor.”
He added: “Since 2015 I've had some of the best seats in the business: leading analytics and data science teams at Albert Heijn, shaping data and AI governance at group level, and most recently designing the EU data strategy and standing up EU data management across our European brands. I've learned more here about turning data into real business value, and making it stick inside an organisation, than anywhere else.”
“I'm proud of everyone who put time and effort into the data and AI maturity journey AD has been on, confident in where it's headed, and glad to have handed it over in good shape. What I'll carry with me most is the people I've worked with. Far too many colleagues to name, but if our paths crossed, you know who you are, and I've learned so much from all of you. And if you were ever part of one of my teams: I'm grateful for the chance to work alongside you, and for the honest conversations we shared. The pleasure was all mine. To everyone I've reported to along the way, a special word of thanks.”
Willems concluded by saying he was taking a break with his family and would reveal more about the next part of his career in September.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
AI will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
