The chief executive of Heineken, Dolf van den Brink, is to step down from his role at the Dutch brewing behemoth, the company has announced. His departure comes at a challenging time for the firm, which has been grappling with falling consumer demand and the impact of persistent inflation on its global operations.
Leadership Change After a Demanding Period
Dolf van den Brink will leave his post at the end of May 2026, concluding a tenure of nearly six years as CEO and over 28 years with the company overall. Heineken, which also owns popular brands like Amstel and Birra Moretti, stated that van den Brink and the chairman had mutually agreed with the Supervisory Board that the timing was right for a handover.
Van den Brink is expected to stay on in an advisory capacity for around eight months to ensure a smooth transition and support his yet-to-be-named successor. In a statement, he reflected on his time leading the company through a significant transformation and expressed confidence that a leadership change would now best serve Heineken's long-term ambitions under its EverGreen strategy.
A Global Slump with a UK Silver Lining
The executive's exit is set against a difficult backdrop for the brewer. Heineken warned over profits in October 2025 as softer demand for beer and tough economic conditions worldwide began to bite. The group indicated that sales volumes for the full year 2025 were likely to be lower than the previous year, with shoppers feeling the pinch from price increases.
However, the story was not uniformly bleak across all markets. The UK operations provided a notable bright spot for the group. Heineken reported stronger performances in Britain, driven by robust consumer demand for two specific brands: its Cruzcampo lager and its Irish stout, Murphy's. The latter benefited from being stocked in a greater number of pubs and bars across the country in recent months.
Navigating the Future
Peter Wennink, chair of Heineken's supervisory board, paid tribute to van den Brink's leadership, particularly through a demanding period of transformation and a challenging external environment. The company now faces the task of navigating ongoing economic headwinds and shifting consumer habits under new leadership.
While the global picture remains complex, the resilience of the UK market, demonstrated by the popularity of Cruzcampo and Murphy's, offers a strategic foothold as Heineken prepares for its next chapter.
