Heineken N.V. has officially announced on its page that its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board, Dolf van den Brink, will step down from his role on May 31, 2026, marking the end of a transformative leadership chapter for the global brewing giant.

The company disclosed that van den Brink formally informed the Supervisory Board of his decision, concluding after careful consultation that the timing aligns with Heineken’s long-term strategic direction. Notably, his departure comes as the company completes the rollout of its EverGreen Strategy 2030, positioning the business for its next phase of growth and execution.

 Six Years of Leadership Through Turbulent Times

Over the past six years, van den Brink steered Heineken through a period marked by economic volatility, geopolitical uncertainty, and significant internal transformation.

During this time, he led the successful delivery of EverGreen 2025 while laying a strong foundation for the company’s long-term ambitions under EverGreen 2030.

Consequently, both van den Brink and the Supervisory Board agreed that transitioning leadership at this stage would best serve the company’s future trajectory, ensuring continuity while enabling fresh executive stewardship.

 Supervisory Board Begins Search for Successor

Following the announcement, the Supervisory Board confirmed it has initiated a formal search process to appoint Heineken’s next CEO. Importantly, the Board emphasized its commitment to securing leadership capable of driving disciplined execution of the company’s strategic growth priorities.

Meanwhile, to preserve institutional knowledge and ensure continuity, van den Brink has agreed to remain available to Heineken in an advisory capacity for eight months, beginning June 1, 2026.

Van den Brink Reflects on Nearly Three Decades at Heineken

Reflecting on his decision, van den Brink underscored both timing and strategy as central to his departure. After nearly 28 years with Heineken, including six years as CEO, he expressed confidence that the company is well-positioned for a leadership transition as it advances into the next chapter of its EverGreen journey.

He further emphasized that the recent years of transformation have brought the company to a point where new leadership will best support the execution of its long-term ambitions.

Despite the impending transition, van den Brink reaffirmed his full commitment to ensuring disciplined strategy execution and a smooth leadership handover in the months ahead.

Supervisory Board Commends Transformational Leadership

Reacting to the announcement, Peter Wennink, Chairman of Heineken’s Supervisory Board, praised van den Brink’s leadership and long-standing dedication to the company.

According to the Board, van den Brink successfully guided Heineken through a demanding transformation period while navigating a challenging external environment. Furthermore, the Board highlighted his role in delivering EverGreen 2025 and in shaping the strategic vision underpinning EverGreen 2030.

As Heineken shifts its focus toward bringing that strategy fully to life, the Supervisory Board agreed that initiating the succession process now ensures strong leadership continuity and sustained momentum for the future.

 Focus Remains on Stability and Strategic Execution

Until his departure in May 2026, van den Brink will continue to lead Heineken’s Executive Board, maintaining focus on operational discipline, strategic delivery, and organizational stability. Simultaneously, the Supervisory Board will advance its search for a successor capable of sustaining the company’s growth ambitions across global markets.