Ocado eyes Vonage chief Niklas Heuveldop to succeed founder Tim Steiner

The search for a successor is currently being steered by Adam Warby, who has served as chair of Ocado for the past 18 months. While both Ocado and Vonage declined to comment on the potential transition, the move reflects a significant pivot for the grocery technology firm as it looks to solidify its international operations.

Steiner, a central figure during Ocado’s 2010 London stock market debut, is handing over the reins amid a period of strategic restructuring. The company is currently shifting its business model by ending mutual exclusivity contracts in key global markets, including its high-profile partnership with Kroger in the United States. Simultaneously, Ocado is deepening its domestic footprint through a fresh agreement with Asda. This partnership, slated for a 2027 rollout, aims to overhaul the supermarket’s e-commerce infrastructure using the Ocado Smart Platform to modernize everything from route efficiency to last-mile delivery. For Asda, the deal serves as a critical effort to regain lost market share following a decline from 14.3% to 11.5% under its current private equity ownership.