Jumbo appoints Danish executive Jesper Højer as new CEO

Supermarket chain Jumbo has appointed the Dane Jesper Højer as its new CEO. He will succeed the interim-CEO, Tom Heidman, on January 1. According to chairwoman of the supervisory board Colette Cloosterman-van Eerd, the appointment of 47-year-old Højer brings in “a leader who not only brings extensive retail expertise, but also a personality that fits with Jumbo as a family business.”

Højer previously held various international executive positions at supermarket chain Lidl, including in the Netherlands, and since 2019 has worked as an entrepreneur, investor, director, and advisor. He will soon move to the Netherlands to start at Jumbo, which is based in Veghel, Brabant.

“I always looked at this family business with a lot of admiration. There are a ton of opportunities for Jumbo to increase its growth and to gain more customers in the Dutch and Belgian markets. I am pleased to have been entrusted to continue its strategic and commercial direction,” said Højer.

Heidman took the position of interim CEO in March. He succeeded Ton van Veen, who took over the position from Frits van Eerd due to an ongoing money laundering case against Van Eerd.

In August, Van Eerd was sentenced to two years in jail for money laundering, bribery, and forgery. The former CEO has appealed the conviction.

“We are very grateful to Tom for his dedication and leadership,” said Cloosterman-van Eerd. “Tom has successfully implemented the new commercial strategy.”