Heineken’s chief commercial officer has confirmed his intention to retire, with the global head of the group’s namesake lager brand lined up as his replacement.
Drinks veteran James Thompson will make way at the end of next month, just over two-and-a-half years after assuming the position. Thompson, who prior to joining Heineken spent almost 25 years with Diageo – rising to be chief marketing & innovation officer for North America – was one of the first senior executive changes instigated by CEO Dolf van den Brink within his first year at the helm.
Lined up to replace him on 1 September is Bram Westenbrink, whose career with Heineken dates back to late 2003, when he joined as a management trainee for the Amstel brand. Subsequent promotions ended up with his appointment as the global head for brand Heineken three years ago.
Van den Brink described Westenbrink as “one of our most experienced home-grown commercial leaders”, while crediting Thompson with having “brought a strong consumer-centric, creative mindset and expertise from a nearly 40-year commercial career to our business”.
Heineken’s second appearance on Global Drinks Intel this week follows news of the pending divestment of Netherlands-based soft drinks business Vrumona to Royal Unibrew. The world’s second-largest brewer will report its half-year results on 31 July.
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