Heineken NV names Rafael Oliveira as its new chief executive officer, breaking with its tradition by selecting an outsider for the role. Bloomberg and other reports say Oliveira, previously at JDE Peet’s (a coffee company), is tasked with helping reverse a slump in beer demand. The announcement comes after the January exit of Heineken’s predecessor, Dolf van den Brink, who stepped down following what the company described as mixed performance after six years in the role.
Sources also link the leadership change to ongoing pressure on the brewer’s performance. AFP and other outlets report that beer sales decline is visible, including nearly a 1% slip in first-quarter sales attributed to a more complex economic environment and higher energy prices. Separately, Moneyweb and other coverage describe a cost-cutting effort that includes shedding part of the workforce, with reported plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs (about 7% of global employment) as part of broader efforts to improve productivity.
The appointment is reported to be subject to shareholder approval, and Oliveira is expected to accelerate growth while improving efficiency and positioning the company for long-term results.
