Heineken investors urge external CEO hire to succeed van den Brink, FT reports
Heineken Board Faces Pressure Over CEO Succession
Shareholders Advocate for External Appointment
June 5 (Reuters) - Major shareholders in Heineken have urged the Dutch brewer to appoint an external chief executive to succeed Dolf van den Brink, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing two top-15 investors.
Board Division on CEO Selection
The brewer's board is divided over whether to promote an internal candidate or bring in an outsider, the newspaper added, citing people familiar with the matter.
Verification and Company Response
Reuters could not immediately verify the FT report. Heineken did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for a comment.
Background on Leadership Change
Van den Brink's Departure
Van den Brink stepped down on May 31 after nearly six years at the helm, as the industry grapples with tepid beer demand.
Succession Search Progress
Last month, Heineken said the search for van den Brink's successor was progressing well and expected to conclude soon.
Investor Perspectives and Company Performance
Calls for Change in Leadership Tradition
Two top-15 investors told the FT that the family-controlled group should drop its tradition of promoting insiders and appoint an external candidate to revive performance.
Recent Financial Challenges
Job Cuts and Profit Outlook
In February, Heineken said it would cut up to 6,000 jobs globally and lowered its expectations for 2026 profit growth, as the brewer and its peers faced subdued demand.
(Reporting by Mihika Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
