NETHERLANDS – Dutch multinational brewer, Heineken has appointed Soren Hagh as President of the Europe region and Jacco van der Linden as President of the Asia Pacific region.
Soren Hagh will succeed Stefan Orlowski, who announced his decision to leave the company in mid-February this year, after a 22-year career in the brewer. Soren Hagh will assume office and join the Heineken Executive Team starting 1 June 2020.
Soren Hagh is at present Managing Director of Heineken Italy and previously was Heineken’s Executive Director Global Marketing.
He joined Heineken in 2013 prior to which, he held a number of senior management positions at Lego, Diageo and L’Oréal, including General Manager EMEA for Lancôme.
Heineken said that Soren Hagh will work closely with his successor to help the company’s operations in Italy through the COVID-19 crisis.
Jacco van der Linden, Heineken’s new President of the Asia Pacific region will succeed Dolf van den Brink, who is currently Regional President for Asia Pacific. He also joins the company’s executive team on 1 June 2020.
The company’s board nominated Dolf van den Brink to be appointed as member of the Executive Board and to succeed Jean-François van Boxmeer as Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO on 1 June 2020.
Jacco van der Linden is currently Managing Director of Heineken Vietnam and previously was Managing Director of Heineken China.
He joined the brewer in 1999 and has held a number of senior international leadership roles in Commerce, in the UK, Nigeria, the Netherlands and Ireland.
Commenting on the appointments, Jean-François van Boxmeer, Heineken’s Chairman and CEO said: “Obviously, the key focus for us is on running the company through the current unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.
“With our first priority the health and well-being of our people. At the same time, we are preparing for the future with these appointments.
“I am very pleased with Dolf’s choice of Soren Hagh leading our Europe region, and Jacco van der Linden leading our Asia Pacific region, per 1 June 2020.”
“Soren and Jacco have an outstanding track record delivering strong business results, and they both have great leadership, people and commercial skills.
“We are confident that Soren and Jacco will be very valuable in our Executive Team, and in leading the business and respective teams in their regions.”
Alexander Koch, currently Commercial Director of Heineken Vietnam, has been appointed to succeed Jacco van der Linden as Managing Director Heineken Vietnam as of 1 June 2020.
The company has also named Wietse Mutters, until recently Managing Director of Brana S.A., Heineken’s operating company in Haiti, as Soren Hagh’s successor in Italy effective May 1 2020.
