Amsterdam, January 12, 2026 — Heineken N.V., the world's second-largest brewer, announced on Monday that Chief Executive Officer Dolf van den Brink will step down from his position on May 31, 2026, bringing an end to a nearly six-year leadership period marked by unprecedented challenges in the global beer industry.
Van den Brink, who assumed the role of CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board in June 2020 amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, informed the company's Supervisory Board of his decision. The 52-year-old executive, who has spent more than 28 years with Heineken, will remain available in an advisory capacity for eight months starting June 1, 2026, to ensure a smooth transition and provide his deep industry expertise.
The Supervisory Board, chaired by Peter Wennink, has immediately initiated a search process for van den Brink's successor. In a statement released by Heineken, the board expressed gratitude for his contributions while agreeing that the timing aligns with the company's strategic evolution.
Peter Wennink stated: “The Supervisory Board is grateful to Dolf for his leadership and long-standing commitment to Heineken, including guiding the company through a demanding period of transformation, delivering on EverGreen 2025 whilst navigating a challenging external environment. With the launch of EverGreen 2030, Dolf has set out a compelling strategy for the future of Heineken, and the Supervisory Board greatly values his contribution. With this in mind, the Supervisory Board agrees this is the right moment to start the succession process to secure strong leadership for the future.”
Van den Brink echoed this sentiment in his personal update shared on LinkedIn and in the company's press release: “After six years as CEO and more than 28 years at HEINEKEN, I believe this is the right moment to transition leadership as the Company prepares for the next phase of the EverGreen strategy. The past years have been marked by significant change as Heineken progressed through its transformation and has now reached a stage where a transition in leadership will best serve the company in further executing its long-term ambitions.”
He emphasized his continued focus: “For now, I remain in the role until the end of May. My focus remains on delivering for our customers and consumers, our brands and our people, and ensuring an orderly handover.”
The announcement comes just months after Heineken unveiled its ambitious EverGreen Strategy 2030 in October 2025, which targets mid-single-digit organic revenue growth, prioritizes investment in premium brands and key markets, emphasizes sustainability, digital capabilities, and cost efficiencies, and aims to accelerate premiumization and non-alcoholic offerings.
Van den Brink's tenure was defined by navigating multiple crises. He took over during widespread bar and restaurant closures due to the pandemic, followed by severe inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and currency volatility in major emerging markets like Nigeria and Vietnam. The company has also faced declining beer volumes amid changing consumer habits, particularly among younger drinkers favoring alternatives, geopolitical uncertainties, and the potential impact of weight-loss drugs on overall food and beverage consumption.
Heineken has lagged some peers in cost efficiency and shareholder returns, with annualized total returns under van den Brink delivering negative 2.1% since June 2020, placing it in the lower tier among recent departing consumer goods CEOs. Investor dissatisfaction has been evident, compounded by occasional misses on forward guidance.
In 2025, Heineken encountered significant headwinds in Europe, including protracted pricing disputes with retailers in countries like France, Spain, and the Netherlands. These negotiations, aimed at passing on rising costs, led to temporary loss of shelf space, delayed recovery during the summer season, and contributed to modest volume declines. In some cases, disputes escalated to legal actions, such as Heineken's lawsuit against Dutch retailer Jumbo over reduced orders.
The brewer has pursued strategic acquisitions, including in India and South Africa, and undertaken major restructuring to bolster resilience. Despite these efforts, recent performance has shown pressure on volumes and margins, with warnings of flat or modestly declining beer sales in 2025.
Market reaction to the resignation was immediate: Heineken shares (HEIA.AS) fell nearly 3% in early European trading on January 12, 2026, reflecting investor concerns over continuity amid ongoing industry headwinds.
Van den Brink's departure fits into a broader trend of elevated CEO turnover in the consumer sector, driven by investor pressure for stronger performance in a high-cost, low-growth environment. The incoming leader will inherit the responsibility of executing the EverGreen 2030 plan, refocusing resources on high-potential brands (including Heineken, Amstel, and Tiger), accelerating growth in emerging markets, and addressing structural challenges in mature regions.
As the search for a new CEO begins, Heineken remains committed to its long-term vision of future-proofing the business through innovation, sustainability, and premiumization. The transition period will be closely watched by stakeholders eager for signs of renewed momentum in a competitive and evolving beer landscape.
