Automaker Stellantis hires former Adidas company and grocery store manager as well as chief financial officer

stellants On Wednesday, it said it had appointed the chief financial officer of global grocer Ahold Delhaize to replace Chief Financial Officer Richard Palmer, who plans to leave the company at the end of June.

She will succeed Natalie Knight Palmer, who has served as Chief Financial Officer at the Netherlands-based food retailer since early 2020. Ahold Delhaize owns grocery brands including Stop & Shop, Food Lion and Fresh Direct. Prior to that, she was Chief Financial Officer at Arla Foods and held several senior finance positions during her 17 years at Adidas AG. Stilenz said she is expected to join the company by July 10.

The automaker has not released details about why Palmer, who served as chief financial officer through two major global mergers, left the company. The first merger saw Fiat and Chrysler merge in 2014. The resulting automaker then merged with French company PSA Groupe in 2021, forming Stellantis.

Palmer was a distinguished longtime lieutenant of the late automotive executive Sergio Marchionne.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said the company wishes Palmer “the best for the future and in whatever new challenges lie ahead.” He also praised Knight’s experience “and demonstrated business transformation leadership, including a clear focus on ESG,” as contributing to why the company selected her for the position.

“I am convinced it will play a strategic role in setting new momentum and unlocking the great potential of Stellantis’ value,” Tavares said in a statement.

Stellantis said Knight will be based at the company’s US headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, “with extensive travel to Europe and other regions.”