Delhaize, the international food retail group, has announced the imminent departure of chief financial officer Craig Owens after a seven year spell at the company.

Mr Owens, who has been executive vice-president and CFO since 2001 and is also a member of the group's executive committee, will leave on 30 September to pursue a career as CFO at Campbell Soup Company.

'While I truly regret to see him leave our organisation, my first thought is to thank Craig for his major contributions to Delhaize Group over the past seven years and wish him the best in his new job,' said Delhaize President and CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers. 'Craig has provided exemplary leadership in the company's drive to build strong finance, strategy and IT organisations, and those organisations will continue to support our growth and performance going forward.'

Delhaize has begun the process of appointing a successor to Mr Owens, with Mr Beckers saying that a replacement will be 'diligently pursued'.

Mr Owens said that he had enjoyed his time with the retailer. 'Although I am looking forward to this new professional opportunity, it is a difficult decision to leave Delhaize Group where I have enjoyed the chance to work with such a capable management team in a company with its well deserved reputation for industry leadership.'

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