Dolf van den Brink

Dolf van den Brink
Dolf van den Brink
Born	1973
Birthplace	Bussum, Netherlands
Nationality	Dutch
Occupation	Business executive
Known for	CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Heineken N.V.

Dolf van den Brink (born 1973) is a Dutch business executive who served as the chief executive officer and chairman of the executive board of Heineken N.V., one of the world's largest brewing companies. Born in Bussum, Netherlands, van den Brink spent much of his career within the Heineken organization, rising through a series of international leadership positions before being appointed to the company's top role in 2020, succeeding Jean-François van Boxmeer. His tenure at the helm of the brewer was marked by efforts to expand the company's global footprint, navigate the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, and pursue strategic initiatives in premium and non-alcoholic beer segments. In January 2026, van den Brink announced his resignation from Heineken, effective May 31, 2026, after almost six years as CEO, amid declining sales volumes and a company reorganization plan. His career at Heineken spanned multiple continents and encompassed leadership roles in some of the company's most challenging and high-growth markets, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, and Mexico.

Early Life

Dolf van den Brink was born in 1973 in Bussum, a town in the Noord-Holland province of the Netherlands. Details about his family background and childhood have remained largely private. According to a profile in the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad, a comic strip created in 2003 had humorously predicted that van den Brink would one day become the head of Heineken, a testament to the impression he made early in his career within the company.

Van den Brink has been described in Dutch media profiles as an executive for whom "a day seems to count 48 hours," reflecting a reputation for intense dedication and a demanding work ethic that became evident early in his professional life.

Career

Early Career at Heineken

Van den Brink joined Heineken and progressed through a series of roles that took him to various international markets. His career trajectory within the company was characterized by assignments in emerging and frontier markets, which provided him with extensive operational experience in regions that posed significant logistical, political, and economic challenges. A 2012 profile in NRC Handelsblad noted the complexity of doing business in certain African markets, with van den Brink observing that "simply shipping beer" was not sufficient to succeed in such environments.

Among his notable assignments, van den Brink led Heineken's operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the most difficult operating environments for any multinational corporation. The experience in the DRC was formative, requiring him to manage complex supply chains, navigate political instability, and build business infrastructure in areas with limited existing commercial systems. A 2013 Fortune profile highlighted van den Brink's steadfast commitment to Heineken's operations in challenging markets, portraying him as an executive who was willing to remain in difficult postings rather than seek more comfortable assignments.

Leadership in Africa and the Americas

Van den Brink's work across African markets established him as one of Heineken's most experienced international operators. His tenure overseeing operations in the Congo region demonstrated an ability to grow market share in environments where competitors were often reluctant to invest. The challenges of these markets—including infrastructure deficits, currency volatility, and security concerns—required a hands-on management approach that became a hallmark of van den Brink's leadership style.

Following his African assignments, van den Brink moved to oversee Heineken's operations in the Americas, including the important Mexican market. Mexico represents one of Heineken's largest and most profitable markets globally, and leading the company's operations there was considered a senior stepping-stone within the organization. His role in Mexico involved managing a portfolio of brands and navigating the competitive dynamics of one of the world's largest beer markets.

Appointment as CEO

In February 2020, Heineken announced that van den Brink would succeed Jean-François van Boxmeer as CEO and chairman of the executive board. Van Boxmeer had led the company for 15 years, and the transition represented a significant moment for the brewer. The appointment was reported by the Financial Times and other major business publications as a reflection of van den Brink's extensive international experience and his deep familiarity with the Heineken organization.

The NRC Handelsblad noted that van den Brink's appointment had been, in a sense, long anticipated within the company, referencing the 2003 comic strip that had jokingly forecast his rise to the top position. The Het Financieele Dagblad profiled van den Brink at the time of his appointment, emphasizing his tireless work ethic and the breadth of experience he had accumulated across Heineken's global operations.

Van den Brink formally assumed the role of CEO in June 2020, taking the helm of Heineken at one of the most challenging periods in the global brewing industry's modern history, as the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted on-premise beer consumption in markets around the world.

Tenure as CEO

Van den Brink's time as CEO was defined by several strategic priorities. He oversaw Heineken's response to the pandemic, which required rapid adjustments to the company's operations and distribution channels as bars, restaurants, and other on-premise venues—a critical channel for premium beer brands—closed or operated under restrictions in many markets.

Beyond pandemic management, van den Brink pursued a strategy focused on premiumization, seeking to shift Heineken's portfolio toward higher-margin products. He also championed the company's growing non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beer offerings, reflecting broader consumer trends toward moderation. The Heineken 0.0 brand, a non-alcoholic variant of the flagship lager, became an increasingly important part of the company's portfolio during his tenure.

Van den Brink also articulated a vision for Heineken that extended beyond pure profit maximization. In an interview with Forbes India, he discussed the importance of purpose-driven leadership and his refusal to be guided solely by financial metrics, noting the broader responsibilities that come with leading a global company with significant social and environmental impact.

In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, van den Brink expressed a desire to move away from what he described as distrust toward the business community, cautioning against the risk of becoming "a cynical CEO." These public statements reflected a leadership philosophy that sought to balance commercial objectives with broader stakeholder engagement and corporate responsibility.

Challenges and Declining Performance

Despite these strategic initiatives, van den Brink's later tenure was marked by increasing headwinds. Heineken faced slowing sales volumes and decreasing revenue in several key markets, driven by a combination of factors including shifting consumer preferences, macroeconomic pressures, and intensifying competition. The company's stock performance came under scrutiny from investors who grew dissatisfied with the pace of growth and the returns being generated.

In response to these challenges, Heineken initiated a reorganization plan aimed at streamlining operations and improving efficiency. The restructuring effort was intended to position the company for improved performance, but it also underscored the extent of the difficulties the brewer was facing.

Resignation

On January 12, 2026, Heineken announced that van den Brink would step down as CEO and chairman of the executive board, effective May 31, 2026. The announcement came after almost six years at the helm of the Dutch brewer.

The resignation was described by Reuters as unexpected, occurring only a few months after the company had outlined its reorganization strategy. The Wall Street Journal reported that van den Brink's departure left the company searching for a successor, with the board initiating a process to identify a new CEO.

Multiple industry and business news outlets covered the resignation, noting the context of lower sales volumes and decreasing revenue that had characterized Heineken's recent performance. Mexico Business News noted that the departure marked the end of a six-year tenure that had encompassed significant global disruptions and competitive challenges.

Just Drinks reported that van den Brink would step down from his role after almost six years leading the brewer, a period that encompassed both the pandemic recovery and the subsequent commercial difficulties. Nasdaq similarly reported the announcement, noting the company's status as one of the world's largest brewing companies.

Personal Life

Van den Brink has maintained a relatively private personal life. In interviews with Dutch media, he has discussed his views on corporate leadership and the responsibilities of running a global company, but has generally kept details of his family life out of public discussion.

His career at Heineken required extensive international relocation, with postings in Africa, the Americas, and Europe. In the De Telegraaf interview, van den Brink reflected on the personal dimensions of corporate leadership, expressing concern about the risk of cynicism in senior executive roles and emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sense of purpose beyond financial performance.

Legacy

Van den Brink's tenure at Heineken spanned a period of significant transformation in the global brewing industry. His career arc—from operational roles in some of the world's most challenging markets to the leadership of one of its largest brewers—reflected the increasingly global and complex nature of the consumer goods industry in the 21st century.

His early work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African markets contributed to Heineken's position as one of the leading brewers on the African continent, a region that has been a source of long-term growth for the industry. The experience he gained in these markets informed his approach to leadership at the group level, where he sought to balance commercial imperatives with broader social and environmental considerations.

As CEO, van den Brink led Heineken through the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that tested the resilience of the entire hospitality and consumer goods sector. His strategic focus on premiumization and non-alcoholic beverages reflected important industry trends, even as the company's overall commercial performance faced challenges in his later years at the helm.

The circumstances of his departure—amid declining sales volumes, investor dissatisfaction, and an ongoing reorganization—highlighted the pressures facing leaders of major consumer goods companies in an era of rapidly shifting consumer preferences and macroeconomic uncertainty. The search for his successor was expected to shape Heineken's strategic direction in the years following his departure.