Jamaica: Jamaica’s leading brewer Red Stripe names first female managing director

Red Stripe has appointed Holly Bostock as managing director, effective July 1, replacing Daaf van Tilburg, who moves to a regional role in Heineken's Asia Pacific division — the latest in a pattern of three-year rotations at the helm of Jamaica's most recognised brewery, the Jamaica Gleaner reported on June 2.

Bostock, a British national who has led Heineken's Saint Lucia operation since July 2023, becomes the first woman to head Red Stripe in its century-long history and the fourth managing director appointed since Heineken acquired the brewery from Diageo in October 2015.

"I look forward to working with the talented team to build on its success, drive sustainable growth, and continue contributing to Jamaica's economic and social development," Bostock said.

Van Tilburg, a Dutch national, will serve as managing director for Heineken's Asia Pacific portfolio, supporting operating companies across the region on what the company described as growth, productivity, and organisational transformation. During his three years at Red Stripe, van Tilburg oversaw what Heineken called a period of strong performance, launched new products targeting consumers shifting towards higher-strength drinks, and presided over a turnaround at Celebration Brands Limited, the brewery's sales and distribution joint venture. Heineken does not typically disaggregate Red Stripe's financial results in its group reporting.

"Leading Red Stripe has been an incredible privilege," van Tilburg said. "The passion, resilience, and talent of the Jamaican team are truly inspiring."

Heineken has kept to a roughly three-year rotation since taking control of the Spanish Town Road-based brewery. Ricardo Nuncio led from November 2015, followed by Luis Prata from August 2019, and van Tilburg from July 2023. The pattern has antecedents in the Diageo era, which previously held majority stake: Renato Gonzales held the post briefly in 2011 and 2012 before making way for Cedric Blair, the first Jamaican to lead the company in the modern era.

Bostock's Saint Lucia record resulted in the business posting consecutive growth in revenue, gross profit and operating profit, achieving record cash performance, and restructuring its debt and dividend obligations to shareholders, according to the company.

She joined Heineken in 2010 through its international graduate programme and subsequently held senior roles in public affairs, communications and sustainability at the company's Amsterdam headquarters before serving as corporate affairs director in Myanmar and Vietnam.

03 June, 2026