Heineken is preparing itself for life without Dolf van den Brink next month, although a replacement for the departing CEO has yet to be found.
Van den Brink, who has been with the brewer since 1998, when he started as a management trainee, will step away altogether next week. The executive notified Heineken in January of his intention to bring his six years as CEO to a close at the end of May.
The decision was timed to coincide with the commencement of the group’s next five-year plan, ‘Evergreen 2030’.
In an update today (22 May), Heineken said the search for a replacement has not concluded yet. “The selection process for Dolf’s successor is progressing well and is expected to be completed in the near term,” said the chair of Heineken’s supervisory board, Peter Wennink. “Up until then, any external commentary remains speculative.”
The company also said it has no intention of appointing an “interim CEO”, adding that “the supervisory board remains closely engaged and available to the executive team and the business, ensuring ongoing support and oversight”.
In results from the three months to the end of March, which were announced in late April, Heineken booked a 2.8% sales rise, an improvement on calendar-2025’s +1.6% top-line increase.
