Heineken chief executive Dolf van den Brink has resigned unexpectedly after six years at the helm of the Dutch brewer, stepping down only months after unveiling a new long-term strategy, as the global beer industry struggles to revive consumer demand.
Van den Brink, who took over in June 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, has led the world’s second-largest brewer through a turbulent period marked by soaring input costs, falling beer consumption, and pressure on margins and share performance, according to a Reuters report.
Announcing his surprise departure on Monday, Heineken said it had begun the search for a successor to lead the maker of Heineken lager as well as brands including Tiger and Amstel.
Van den Brink will step down on May 31 but has agreed to remain available as an adviser for eight months from June.
In a joint statement, van den Brink and supervisory board chairman Peter Wennink said the timing was right for a leadership transition, following the launch of Heineken’s strategy through 2030 in October.
“Heineken has reached a stage where a transition in leadership will best serve the company in further executing its long-term ambitions,” van den Brink said, adding that he remains fully focused on delivering the strategy until his departure.
Heineken shares were down 2% by 0849 GMT.
Pressure on beer sales
Van den Brink becomes the latest in a wave of consumer-sector CEOs to exit after several challenging years, as rising living costs have squeezed household spending.
Brewers have struggled to boost volumes, with hopes of a sales rebound repeatedly derailed by factors ranging from poor weather to political uncertainty. Heineken has also lagged some peers in areas such as cost efficiency and investor returns.
The incoming CEO will face the challenge of delivering Heineken’s 2030 commitments amid global economic and political volatility, as well as intensifying competition, changing drinking habits—particularly among younger consumers—and concerns that weight-loss drugs could dampen demand for food and beverage products.
Under the 2030 strategy, the new chief executive will be expected to sharpen the company’s focus on priority brands and markets, while meeting ambitious sales growth, profit, and cost-saving targets.
During his tenure, van den Brink steered Heineken through disruptions in key growth markets including Nigeria and Vietnam, managed investor backlash over forward guidance, oversaw major acquisitions in India and South Africa, and led significant restructuring efforts.
The company has also faced unique challenges in recent years, including a pricing dispute with European retailers in 2025 that temporarily saw some Heineken brands removed from store shelves.
