Over the past few weeks, Alex Holt, the new Chief Sustainability Officer at Ahold Delhaize, has been settling into her role and adjusting to life in the Netherlands. We spoke with Alex to learn about her initial impressions of the company, her leadership style, ambitions for Ahold Delhaize, and insights from her impressive career.
With over 20 years of experience in food retail, Alex is committed to improving operations, supporting colleagues, and driving health and sustainability initiatives. Personally, Alex grew up in London, spent 13 years in Sydney, Australia, and now resides in Amsterdam with her husband. She has a passion for Italian cuisine, particularly Perla Colombia coffee beans, and is a qualified ski instructor and avid traveler, bringing a sense of adventure and curiosity to her role.
You have been with Ahold Delhaize for just over a month. Can you share some first impressions and observations? Ahold Delhaize is an incredible company, and I’m inspired by our new purpose and the Growing Together strategy. Although I haven’t visited all our fantastic brands yet, I’ve met many great people, and everyone has been incredibly welcoming. I’m very excited to be here!
You have over two decades of experience in the food retail industry. What do you enjoy most about this industry? What I love about our industry is its strong focus on people. We have the opportunity and responsibility to serve associates, customers, and diverse communities. Small changes can significantly impact people, communities, and the planet. For example, Albert Heijn’s fresh meal packets (“verspakketten”) provide customers with great value, save time, and reduce food waste. Our industry is dynamic, innovative, collaborative, action-oriented, and constantly evolving, offering a wide range of career opportunities.
Why did you decide to switch to a sustainability role in 2016? I wanted a role with a meaningful impact. Businesses play a crucial role in transforming the food system for a healthier and better tomorrow. We all have a responsibility to leave our company, planet, and people with a better future for generations to come. Focusing on sustainability allows us to create long-term value for shareholders and stakeholders.
What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities for Ahold Delhaize in achieving its health and sustainability ambitions? I’m a glass half-full person, so I see opportunities. I believe in the power of people and technology to find long-term solutions for the complex problems we face today. Our superpower is the amazing people at Ahold Delhaize and across our brands. It excites me to see what we can achieve together as we work to transform the food system for the future.
How would you describe the role of a CSO? The role of a Chief Sustainability Officer is to define and drive the company’s sustainability priorities, ensuring a better future for people, the planet, and the communities we serve, thereby creating long-term stakeholder value. This requires deep collaboration across our business, with our supply partners, and with external stakeholders. It involves an unwavering focus on progress, experimenting with new concepts, and prioritizing near-term actions that advance a transformational agenda. It’s about working together to have a positive impact for future generations.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to work in sustainability? Every role has a part to play in supporting sustainability, so start by exploring how you can make a tangible impact in your current position. If you want to move into a dedicated sustainability role, stay curious, research positions, understand the necessary skills, and see where your skills align. Then go for it!
