Zaandam, The Netherlands, August 25, 2003 - Ahold wishes to announce the appointment of Walter Samuels as Director Corporate Communications. Samuels will be based at Ahold Corporate Headquarters in the Netherlands, where he will lead a new team focused on media relations and act as company spokesperson.
Samuels, 47 and of Dutch nationality, brings considerable media relations experience to Ahold. In recent years, he has worked as a freelance financial reporter and as a consultant with the Brain Box Media training agency in the Netherlands, advising various listed Dutch international companies. He has also worked in Dutch television broadcasting as an editor, project manager and producer, and as a press officer at KPN Royal Dutch Telecom. Between 1985 and 1996, Samuels was a reporter at the authoritative Dutch national daily De Telegraaf, specialized in financial and socio-economic issues. Before that, he served with the Dutch UNIFIL contingent in Lebanon as captain and chief press officer.
Samuels will report to Sharon Christians, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications and will work closely with Fritz Schmuhl, who also acts as spokesperson.
Commenting on the appointment, Sharon Christians said: "I am very pleased Walter has decided to join Ahold and take on the challenge of leading the new media relations team. His skills and experience will help us rebuild our relationships with journalists worldwide. Walter is a valuable addition to our corporate communications team."
