Heineken CEO Dolf van den Brink will step down from his role after almost six years leading the brewer.
Van den Brink, who has led the Dutch brewing giant since 2020, will leave the top job on 31 May, the company said in a statement today (12 January).
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He became Heineken’s CEO and chairman of the executive board on 1 June 2020, succeeding Jean‑François van Boxmeer.”
In a statement, Heineken said van den Brink had “concluded, in consultation with the supervisory board, that this is the right time to hand over his responsibilities”.
It added: “The supervisory board respects Dolf’s decision and will now initiate a search process to appoint a successor.
The Amstel and Sol brewer said that during his tenure he steered the group through “turbulent economic and political times, and with the EverGreen Strategy 2030 in place”.
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By GlobalDataVan den Brink said: “After six years as CEO and more than 28 years at Heineken, I believe this is the right moment to transition leadership as the company prepares for the next phase of the EverGreen strategy.
“The past years have been marked by significant change as Heineken progressed through its transformation and has now reached a stage where a transition in leadership will best serve the company in further executing its long-term ambitions.”
The brewer unveiled its five-year strategy in October, alongside the announcement of restructuring at its HQ in Amsterdam.
At the time, van den Brink said: “The world around us is changing fast. Geopolitical and economic pressures are real, but so are the opportunities created by technology and evolving consumer trends.
“To stay ahead, we must accelerate our digital transformation and sharpen our focus on winning in the market.”
The group also outlined plans to prioritise a selection of global and local brands in 17 markets over the next five years as part of the EverGreen 2030 programme.
In September, Heineken announced its largest M&A transaction in four years, unveiling a $3.2bn deal for a clutch of beer, soft drinks and retail assets in Central America.
The deal was the biggest Heineken had struck since its twin deals for a majority stake in South Africa’s Distell and the acquisition of Namibia Breweries.
Van den Brink has agreed to act in an advisory capacity for an eight‑month period beginning 1 June.
Heineken supervisory board chairman Peter Wennink said: “The supervisory board is grateful to Dolf for his leadership and long-standing commitment to Heineken, including guiding the company through a demanding period of transformation, delivering on EverGreen 2025 while navigating a challenging external environment.
“With the launch of EverGreen 2030, Dolf has set out a compelling strategy for the future of Heineken, and the Supervisory Board greatly values his contribution. The next phase will focus on bringing this strategy to life through disciplined execution of our strategic growth ambitions.”
Shares in Heineken NV were down 4.05% at €67.24 at 11:15 CET today.
