The logo of Stellantis, the world’s fourth largest automaker, which is starting operations in Milan and Paris after the finalization of the merger between Fiat Chrysler and manufacturer Peugeot PSA, is seen at the major entrance of the FCA Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, January 18, 2021.
Massimo Pinca | Reuters
stellants on Wednesday said it had hired the chief financial officer of global food company Ahold Delhaize to exchange chief financial officer Richard Palmer, who plans to go away the company at the end of June.
Palmer will probably be replaced by Natalie Knight, who was CFO at a Dutch food market from early 2020. Ahold Delhaize owns food brands including Stop & Shop, Food Lion and Fresh Direct. Previously, she was CFO at Arla Foods and held several senior finance positions during her 17 years with Adidas AG. He is anticipated to affix the company by July 10, Stellantis said.
The automaker has not released details as to why Palmer, who served as chief financial officer in two major global mergers, is leaving the company. The first merger involved the merger of Fiat and Chrysler in 2014. The resulting automaker then merged with French company PSA Groupe in 2021 to form Stellantis.
Palmer was a longtime senior lieutenant to the late automotive executive Sergio Marchionne.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said the company wished Palmer “the best for the future and any latest challenges that lie ahead.” He also touted Knight’s “experience and demonstrated leadership in business transformation, including a clear concentrate on ESG” as the reason the company selected her for the position.
“I’m confident that he’ll play a strategic role in creating latest momentum and unlocking the great value potential of Stellantis,” said Tavares. he said in a communiqué.
Stellantis said Knight will probably be based at the company’s US headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, “with extensive travel to Europe and other regions.”