Ocado Group is understood to be eyeing up former Microsoft executive Adam Warby as its next chairman.

Warby is currently chair for executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, however, he has been tipped by city sources to become the next Ocado Group chair, and could be appointed as early as next month, according to Sky News.

Previously an executive at software company Microsoft for eight years, Warby has also spent the past 16 years at IT consultancy Avanade, where he is currently chief executive emeritus. He is also a senior adviser for private equity firm KKR.

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If appointed, Warby will succeed Rick Haythornthwaite who announced he would step down in April after prioritising his “increasing commitment” as group chair to banking group NatWest.

Speaking at the time, Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner said: “Needless to say, we will be disappointed to lose Rick but we fully understand the reasons why he is stepping down as chair to focus on his new role at NatWest.

“Rick has done a great job strengthening corporate governance, providing the executive team with wise advice and, together with a renewed and refocused board, helping us grow the business over the last three years.”

It is not yet known whether Warby would step down form his other current roles if he accepts the position.