E-Malt.com News article: World: Heineken announced changes to top management structure

Heineken N.V. ('HEINEKEN') on February, 8 announced changes to its top management structure and the composition of its Executive Committee. The changes follow the recent acquisition of Asia Pacific Breweries and will ensure the company is able to maintain the positive momentum behind its strategy and long term growth objectives.

Effective 1 April 2013, the role of Chief Commercial Officer will cease to exist and the marketing and sales elements of the role will be split. Two new combined roles will be created and form part of the Executive Committee:
-President Western Europe & Chief Marketing Officer;
-President Central and Eastern Europe & Chief Sales Officer.

Alexis Nasard, currently Chief Commercial Officer, has been appointed President Western Europe & Chief Marketing Officer. Didier Debrosse, currently Regional President Western Europe, will take up a new challenge as Managing Director HEINEKEN Brasil. Alongside responsibility for Western European operating companies, Alexis will also retain direct responsibility for the Heineken® brand and Innovation. A new role of Executive Director Marketing, leading the rest of the marketing agenda will also report to Alexis.

Jan Derck van Karnebeek, currently Regional President Central and Eastern Europe, has been appointed President Central and Eastern Europe & Chief Sales Officer. In this role, Jan Derck will assume additional responsibility for global sales capability building and planning.

Stefan Orlowski, currently Managing Director HEINEKEN UK will re-join the HEINEKEN Executive Committee and succeed John Nicolson as President Americas when John retires in July.

Roland Pirmez, CEO of Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) will retain this role and combine it with that of President Asia Pacific. Roland will join the Executive Committee. All existing HEINEKEN operations in Asia will be integrated within the APB organisation to create a single regional platform.

Theo de Rond, currently Regional President Asia Pacific, will leave his current role on the HEINEKEN Executive Committee and return to Amsterdam in June 2013 following the successful integration of APB. In his new role, as Executive Director, Partnerships, Theo will continue to represent HEINEKEN on the boards of businesses in Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and Vietnam.

Commenting on these changes, Jean-François van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Heineken N.V. said, "Looking to the future, these significant changes will ensure that we have the people, structures and processes in place to realise our long-term growth objectives. I would like to congratulate Alexis, Jan Derck, Stefan and Roland on their new roles.

Each has driven growth in their respective area of responsibility and each has demonstrated the leadership and technical skills needed to consistently win in the marketplace. Their understanding of and passion for the business coupled with their professional expertise will be critical to meeting the market challenges of the next few years."

Jean-François van Boxmeer continued, "Equally important, I would like to thank Didier, John and Theo for their significant contribution to the growth and transformation of our business. Since 2005, Didier has ensured that Western Europe has played a major role in overall company growth. In that time, our EBIT (beia) in Western Europe has grown on average 8% per annum and the region has been the "engine" of our major cost saving and cash generation programmes, supporting investment and acquisition in other parts of our company. Didier will be a significant asset in driving growth in Brazil. John has been a great servant to the beer industry for more than 20 years in senior executive roles in HEINEKEN, Scottish & Newcastle and Foster's. As Regional President Americas, John has overseen a significant increase in the scale of the Americas region via the acquisition and integration of the beer businesses of FEMSA in Mexico and Brazil. In more than 35 years with the business, Theo has built a track record of success in a variety of national and international leadership roles. Over the last two years, Theo has helped to build a new relationship with APB and has played a leading role in steering the acquisition and integration processes in relation to APB."

These changes will result in a decrease in the size of the Executive Committee from 12 members to 11.

08 February, 2013