A group of major Ocado shareholders has launched an effort to prevent the removal of co-founder Tim Steiner as chief executive, opposing plans orchestrated by chair Adam Warby and board member Jörn Rausing. The move represents a significant boardroom battle at the online grocery technology company, with investors taking sides over Steiner's continued leadership role.

Rausing, the Tetra Pak billionaire, has aligned with Warby in pushing for Steiner's departure, though multiple investors have voiced opposition to these plans. The conflict centers on strategic direction and performance concerns at a company that has positioned itself as a leader in automated warehouse technology and e-commerce fulfillment solutions for grocery retailers.

Steiner co-founded Ocado in 2000 and has led the transformation of the business from an online grocer into a technology platform licensing its automated fulfillment systems globally. The governance dispute arrives at a critical juncture as Ocado seeks to expand its partnership model with international retailers and justify its valuation amid intense competition in grocery delivery.

The outcome of this shareholder revolt will likely determine whether Ocado maintains its current strategic course or undergoes leadership changes that could reshape its approach to international expansion and technology licensing deals that have become central to its business model.