Deliveroo COO French to leave as board weighs CEO succession - report

(Sharecast News) - One of Deliveroo's top executives is reportedly set to leave the company as its board weighs a succession plans for its founder and chief executive Will Shu. According to Sky News, Eric French - the food delivery service's chief operating officer since 2021- has told colleagues that he will step down later this year. Sky said his departure has yet to be announced internally.

French joined Deliveroo in January 2021, having spent 15 years at Amazon in a number of senior roles.

His most recent post at the US-based internet giant - which took a stake in Deliveroo in 2019 - was as vice-president of its US consumables business, where he was responsible for its household, beauty, baby and grocery categories.

Sources told Sky that his plan to leave Deliveroo was unconnected to ongoing discussions in the company's boardroom about succession planning for Shu.

Sky News revealed on Tuesday that directors had begun actively debating the prospective timing of Shu's exit, with one scenario under consideration that he would leave towards the end of this year.

Carlo Mocci, Deliveroo's chief business officer, is regarded as the internal favourite to replace Shu when he stands down.

Deliveroo responded to the story by saying there were "no plans for Will to step down".

"Will remains relentlessly focused on the long term future of Deliveroo and delivering for consumers, merchants and riders," it said.

Sky said insiders labelled the statement 'a non-denial denial' and confirmed that headhunters were engaged in CEO succession planning at the company, which counts Pizza Express and Waitrose among its delivery partners.

Responding to an enquiry from Sky News, a Deliveroo spokesman said: "Eric first raised with Will his desire to move on in autumn last year as part of Eric's plans to relocate to the US.

"Eric has worked with the company for over four years, scaling the grocery business and playing a leadership role in helping the company reach key financial milestones.

"Will and Eric continue to work closely together and are entirely focused on growing the business and ensuring a smooth transition. Eric will be with Deliveroo until the summer."