Ahold's US Foodservice signs exec

Troubled Dutch food retailer Ahold has drafted in a chief executive for its US Foodservice unit, which was at the centre of a billion-dollar profit scandal.

Nutrasweet chief executive Lawrence Benjamin replaces Jim Miller, formerly the highest paid executive at Ahold.

Miller stepped down after Ahold's inflated profits were discovered in February. The retailer is still being investigated over fraud allegations.

Ahold chief executive Anders Moberg said the focus at US Foodservice has been to clean up the business. '(Benjamin) has an excellent reputation for turning around and rebuil-ding companies in crisis,' he said.

An advisory board will be installed at US Foodservice to oversee the required changes to control systems and introduce solid corporate governance.

Ahold was expected to give details of its refinancing package as Retail Week went to press.