Heineken N.V. announces nomination of Rafael Oliveira as CEO

Subject to shareholder appointment, Rafa will join HEINEKEN on 1 October 2026

e4m by e4m Staff
Published: Jun 23, 2026 4:07 PM  | 4 min read
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Rafael Oliveira Nominated as Heineken's New CEO Starting 2026
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  • Heineken N.V. has proposed Rafael Oliveira as the next Chair of the Executive Board and CEO, with a four-year term starting on October 1, 2026, pending shareholder approval on August 5, 2026.
  • Oliveira is currently the CEO of JDE Peet's N.V. and has over 20 years of experience in global consumer goods, including a significant tenure at The Kraft Heinz Company.
  • The Supervisory Board expressed confidence in Oliveira's leadership abilities, emphasizing his track record of driving growth and operational performance.
  • Oliveira stated his enthusiasm for joining Heineken and his commitment to advancing the company's EverGreen 2030 strategy while ensuring a smooth transition.

The Supervisory Board of Heineken N.V. has today announced its intention to appoint Rafael “Rafa” Oliveira as the company’s next Chair of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer.

He is proposed for a four-year term starting 1 October 2026, subject to approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for 5 August 2026.

Oliveira is set to join Heineken from JDE Peet’s N.V., the global leader in coffee and tea, where he has been Chief Executive Officer since 2024. Following the acquisition of JDE Peet’s by Keurig Dr Pepper, he has been chosen to head its planned Global Coffee Company—an approximately US$16 billion publicly listed venture that will combine Keurig Dr Pepper’s coffee business with JDE Peet’s—reflecting his experience in steering large-scale international integrations.

A seasoned global consumer goods executive, Oliveira brings over 20 years of leadership experience spanning both mature and high-growth markets. During his tenure at JDE Peet’s, he refined the company’s strategic direction, strengthened execution, and restored a path of profitable growth, delivering strong financial performance and enhanced shareholder returns.

Before that, he spent around ten years at The Kraft Heinz Company, where he rose to President of International Markets. In that role, he managed a portfolio exceeding US$7 billion across Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Across his career, he has been recognised for building focused strategies, improving operational performance, and developing high-performing leadership teams across geographies.

Peter Wennink, Chair of the HEINEKEN Supervisory Board said “We are delighted to welcome Rafa to HEINEKEN. He is a dynamic, visionary leader with an exceptional track record of leading global consumer businesses and delivering transformational growth. Throughout his career, Rafa has consistently transformed complex challenges into clear organisational priorities, aligning teams around what matters most, and driving disciplined execution of strategy. He combines strategic clarity with operational rigour and strong people leadership to deliver superior results. The Supervisory Board is confident that his energy and strategic acumen will accelerate the execution of the company’s EverGreen 2030 strategic agenda and create sustainable value for all our stakeholders. With Rafa at the helm, we look forward to building on HEINEKEN’s strong foundations and continuing our journey of long-term, balanced growth.”

Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken said “My family and I are pleased with the rigorous global selection process that led to the nomination of Rafa as CEO. We believe Rafa’s proven ability to translate strategy into disciplined execution, his strong people leadership, and his clear strategic vision are the qualities needed to become an excellent HEINEKEN CEO.”

Rafa Oliveira said “I am honoured and excited to join HEINEKEN, one of the world’s most iconic companies and brand portfolios. As a long-time admirer of HEINEKEN’s heritage and global impact, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this great company into its next chapter. HEINEKEN’s EverGreen 2030 strategy provides a powerful platform for the future, and I look forward to building on that momentum while bringing my own passion for performance, innovation and consumer focus. What excites me most is the opportunity to work alongside HEINEKEN’s talented people around the world, whose dedication and capabilities are the foundation of HEINEKEN’s success, and I look forward to building on that legacy together. I am confident we will accelerate growth, drive productivity and future-fit HEINEKEN, winning the hearts of consumers worldwide. I cannot wait to get started on 1 October 2026, and I will be fully committed to ensuring a seamless transition.”

Subject to shareholder appointment, Rafa will join HEINEKEN on 1 October 2026. Until then, HEINEKEN’s Executive Team will continue to steer the business and ensure continuity in execution of the company’s priorities. Further details regarding Rafa’s onboarding and a planned introduction to investors and media will be provided as arrangements are finalised.

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Published On: Jun 23, 2026 4:07 PM 
Tags Ceo Heineken leadership change Heineken N V Rafael Oliveira Rafael Oliveira Heineken Heineken CEO nomination JDE Peet s CEO Rafael Oliveira appointment Heineken EverGreen 2030 strategy Heineken Executive Board consumer goods leadership global business transformation Heineken new CEO announcement Rafael news

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