Heineken names new CEO after predecessor’s shock departure

Dutch brewer Heineken said Tuesday that it had picked Rafael Oliveira, formerly of the coffee giant JDE Peet’s, to take over as chief executive following the January exit of his predecessor.

His nomination, subject to shareholder approval, comes as the brewer is facing lower beer sales after six years under CEO Dolf van den Brink, who surprised the company by stepping down after a “mixed performance”.

“With Rafa at the helm, we look forward to building on Heineken’s strong foundations and continuing our journey of long-term, balanced growth,” supervisory board chairman Peter Wennink said in a statement.

The company said in April that beer sales slipped nearly one percent in the first quarter, citing an “increasingly complex” economic climate and higher energy prices.

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It also announced in February plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs.

“I am confident we will accelerate growth, drive productivity and future-fit Heineken, winning the hearts of consumers worldwide,” Oliveira said in the statement.

AFP

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