Heineken to replace Laurence Debroux as CFO
The Netherlands | Laurence Debroux’s appointment as Heineken’s Chief Financial Officer in 2014 sent out an important signal: The Dutch brewer was willing to hire an outsider and a woman to this important position. At the time, female CFOs were rare in Dutch multinationals.
After six years, Ms Debroux, 51, is leaving the company. She now wants to “take some time” to think about her next career steps, Dutch media quoted her as saying. The timing of her departure on 8 March 2021, which was reported in a press statement, was somewhat unfortunate as it coincided with International Women’s Day. Moreover, Ms Debroux will be succeeded by the Dutchman Harold van den Broek, currently president of hygiene at British consumer-products company Reckitt Benckiser, with brands such as Calgon, Vanish and Woolite.
Mr van den Broek, 53, will be the eighth new addition to Heineken’s eleven-strong executive team since Dolf van den Brink took over as CEO in June 2020, media say.
What is next?
The change of CFO comes at a difficult time for Heineken. The brewer was hit hard by the corona crisis, especially in the European market. Last year, 8.1 percent less beer was sold. Turnover dropped 16.7 percent to EUR 23.7 billion (USD 28.2 billion), while profit turned red. Heineken will focus on restoring operating profit margins to pre-pandemic levels by 2023.
To this end, the brewer announced that it would cut about 8000 jobs. The company now employs more than 85000 people in 190 countries. The reorganisation will cost EUR 420 million (USD 500 million) and should save EUR 350 million per year in personnel costs, Dutch media say.
