Ocado Intelligent Automation CEO Mark Richardson and group general counsel Neill Abrams are stepping down as executive directors of the group board.
The change, which is taking place from today (2 February) comes amid a “board refresh”.
Richardson will continue his chief executive role at Ocado’s automation business – a position he has held for the past eighteen months since the unit was created.
Abrams will remain group general counsel and company secretary, and will continue responsibility for the businesses’ real estate and sustainability groups.
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Both will remain members of the executive committee.
Ocado chairman Rick Haythornthwaite said this “shifts the board towards a better balance of objectivity and independent oversight of all board matters,” adding that it allows Richardson and Abrams to “focus on the day-to-day management of Ocado and implementation of the strategic objectives set by the board.”
The company’s chief executive Tim Steiner added: “Mark’s significant experience at Ocado has already proved invaluable in leading our Ocado Intelligent Automation business and we look forward to Mark continuing his strong leadership as we revolutionise the whole ASRS and robotic handling sectors over the next few years.
“Neill was on the founding team of Ocado, joining the board as an executive director in 2000. His extensive legal expertise and knowledge of Ocado Group has been invaluable as we built a FTSE 100 business from scratch.”
