Dolf van den Brink Drop Role as Heineken Chief Executive

Heineken has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Dolf van den Brink, will step down from his role at the end of May 2026, concluding a six-year period at the helm of the global brewing company.

The decision comes at a time when the brewer is grappling with declining beer volumes and underperformance relative to key rivals in major markets. The announcement unsettled investors, triggering a drop in the company’s share price during early trading in Amsterdam.

In a statement, the company acknowledged van den Brink’s role in steering the business through difficult global economic and political conditions. It noted that discussions with the Supervisory Board led to the conclusion that the timing was appropriate for a leadership transition, particularly as the company’s long-term EverGreen Strategy 2030 is now in place.

Van den Brink, who is 52, will remain available to the company in an advisory role for eight months after his departure to ensure continuity and provide strategic guidance.

The Supervisory Board confirmed that a formal search process has commenced to identify a successor. While the transition is expected to be orderly, market reaction reflected concerns about the company’s outlook amid weakening demand and intensifying competition.

Heineken has recently warned that full-year profits may fall short of earlier expectations, citing softer growth in Europe and the Americas. The company also revised its adjusted operating profit forecast toward the lower end of its projected range and anticipates a modest decline in sales volumes when full-year results are released.