NETHERLANDS: Heineken shuffles executive pack

Heineken has announced that the current president of its Asia Pacific business will move to become president of the brewer's Africa and Middle East division.

Siep Hiemstra will replace Tom de Man, who is retiring after a 40-year career with Heineken, the Netherlands-based brewer said today (3 June). Hiemstra will be replaced in Asia Pacific by Theo de Rond, who is currently general manager of Chile's Compania Cervecerias Unidas (CCU), which is 33%-owned by Heineken.

The changes take effect from 1 August, the brewer said.

Hiemstra, who will also join Heineken's executive committee as part of the move, will lead the Africa team during a key period for the brewer's development on the continent. Over the last two years, the pace of consolidation on sub-Saharan Africa's beer market has quickened. Heineken has already acquired breweries in Ethiopia and Nigeria this year, following a move into South Africa with Diageo in 2010.    

Heineken's CEO and chairman, Jean-François van Boxmeer, told just-drinks in an exclusive interview last month: "What Brazil is for Anheuser-Busch InBev, Africa is for Heineken."

De Man will stay on as non-executive director at a number of important African Heineken companies to facilitate a smooth leadership transition, the brewer said. During his tenure at Heineken Africa & Middle East, which began in 2003, operating profits for the division have tripled to EUR549m (US$794.6m).

Van Boxmeer said: "Tom has been instrumental in building both our international supply chain, as well as our strong position in Africa. We wish him all the best and thank him for his service."