Ahold Delhaize has announced a pivotal leadership change for Profi, its recently acquired Romanian retail brand. Mihai Spulber, currently Senior Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at Mega Image, will step into the role of Brand President at Profi starting July 1, 2025. This transition follows the decision of current Brand President Gaetan Pacton to step down, marking the end of a 13-year tenure that saw significant growth and transformation at Profi.
Building Profi’s Success
Reflecting on his tenure, Gaetan Pacton expressed his pride in the company’s achievements: “After 13 years with Profi, I have made the decision to step away, leaving with a deep sense of gratitude and pride for everything we have achieved together. Profi’s story is one of ambition, resilience, and transformation, and the company’s success is the direct result of the hard work and dedication of every one of my colleagues.”
Under Pacton’s leadership, Profi expanded its footprint across Romania and earned a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable products. His efforts were instrumental during the acquisition process by Ahold Delhaize, which added Profi to its portfolio of 17 brands spanning Europe, the United States, and Indonesia.
A Vision for the Future
Claude Sarrailh, CEO of Ahold Delhaize Europe & Indonesia, praised Pacton’s contributions: “Gaetan’s passionate leadership and dedication, particularly during the acquisition process, have been pivotal. Together with his team, he has strengthened Profi’s presence and its reputation as a trusted retailer. We are deeply grateful for his commitment.”
Looking ahead, Sarrailh expressed confidence in Mihai Spulber’s ability to lead Profi: “With Mihai, we bring on board a leader with deep knowledge of the Romanian market and extensive experience in finance, store operations, and supply chain management. These qualities position him well to guide Profi’s continued growth and integration into the Ahold Delhaize family.”
Spulber, who brings a strong background in retail operations, echoed this optimism: “It is an honour to lead Profi and contribute to its integration into Ahold Delhaize. Profi has immense potential, and I am excited to collaborate with the existing team to build on its success. I deeply appreciate Gaetan’s remarkable contributions and his support during this transition.”
Ensuring a Smooth Transition
Over the next six months, Pacton will remain at the helm of Profi, ensuring business continuity and working closely with Spulber to facilitate a seamless leadership transition. The collaboration between these two seasoned leaders underscores Ahold Delhaize’s commitment to stability and strategic growth.
As Spulber prepares to lead Profi into a new era, he emphasised his dedication to maintaining the company’s customer-centric approach: “Together with the team, I look forward to continuing Profi’s success story, delivering value to our customers, employees, and partners.”
Strengthening Ahold Delhaize’s Global Portfolio
The acquisition of Profi and the appointment of Mihai Spulber as its Brand President reinforce Ahold Delhaize’s commitment to expanding its presence in Central and Eastern Europe. With a focus on providing high-quality, affordable products, Profi is well-positioned to play a key role in Ahold Delhaize’s global strategy.
This leadership change not only marks a new chapter for Profi but also highlights Ahold Delhaize’s dedication to fostering growth and innovation across its portfolio of brands.
