HEINEKEN appoints new Regional President Africa and Middle East
Heineken N.V. (HEINY) has announced the appointment of Guillaume Duverdier as Regional President Africa Middle East (AME) and member of the HEINEKEN Executive Team, effective July 1, 2025. Duverdier, currently Managing Director of HEINEKEN México, will succeed Roland Pirmez, who is retiring after 29 years with the company.
Duverdier brings 25 years of experience with HEINEKEN, having served as Managing Director across multiple markets including Tunisia, Egypt, Poland, Spain, and Mexico. In his current role at HEINEKEN México since 2022, he has driven significant financial growth, expanded the Six retail chain to 17,000 stores, and launched the company's first Meoqui Can Factory.
Pirmez's tenure as AME Regional President saw the strategic acquisition of Distell and Namibia Breweries , creating Heineken Beverages in Southern Africa, and the establishment of the first major Gulf brewery through the Sirocco Joint Venture. Under his leadership, the region achieved consistent market share gains and improved customer satisfaction through digital initiatives.
Heineken N.V. (HEINY) ha annunciato la nomina di Guillaume Duverdier come Presidente Regionale per Africa e Medio Oriente (AME) e membro del Team Esecutivo di HEINEKEN, con effetto dal 1 luglio 2025. Duverdier, attualmente Direttore Generale di HEINEKEN México, succederà a Roland Pirmez, che si ritira dopo 29 anni in azienda.
Duverdier porta con sé 25 anni di esperienza in HEINEKEN, avendo ricoperto il ruolo di Direttore Generale in diversi mercati tra cui Tunisia, Egitto, Polonia, Spagna e Messico. Nel suo attuale ruolo in HEINEKEN México dal 2022, ha guidato una significativa crescita finanziaria, espandendo la catena retail Six a 17.000 negozi e lanciando il primo stabilimento di produzione di lattine Meoqui dell'azienda.
Durante il mandato di Pirmez come Presidente Regionale AME, si è assistito all'acquisizione strategica di Distell e Namibia Breweries, creando Heineken Beverages in Africa meridionale, e alla creazione del primo importante birrificio nel Golfo tramite la Joint Venture Sirocco. Sotto la sua leadership, la regione ha ottenuto costanti guadagni di quota di mercato e un miglioramento della soddisfazione del cliente attraverso iniziative digitali.
Heineken N.V. (HEINY) ha anunciado el nombramiento de Guillaume Duverdier como Presidente Regional de África y Medio Oriente (AME) y miembro del Equipo Ejecutivo de HEINEKEN, con efecto a partir del 1 de julio de 2025. Duverdier, actualmente Director General de HEINEKEN México, sucederá a Roland Pirmez, quien se retira después de 29 años en la empresa.
Duverdier aporta 25 años de experiencia en HEINEKEN, habiendo ocupado el cargo de Director General en múltiples mercados, incluyendo Túnez, Egipto, Polonia, España y México. En su actual función en HEINEKEN México desde 2022, ha impulsado un crecimiento financiero significativo, expandiendo la cadena minorista Six a 17,000 tiendas y lanzando la primera fábrica de latas Meoqui de la empresa.
El mandato de Pirmez como Presidente Regional de AME vio la adquisición estratégica de Distell y Namibia Breweries, creando Heineken Beverages en el sur de África, y el establecimiento de la primera gran cervecería del Golfo a través de la Joint Venture Sirocco. Bajo su liderazgo, la región logró ganancias constantes en participación de mercado y mejoró la satisfacción del cliente a través de iniciativas digitales.
하이네켄 N.V. (HEINY)는 기욤 뒤베르디에르를 아프리카 및 중동 지역 회장(AME)으로 임명하고 HEINEKEN 경영진의 일원으로 임명한다고 발표했습니다. 이는 2025년 7월 1일부터 효력이 발생합니다. 현재 하이네켄 멕시코의 관리 이사인 뒤베르디에르는 29년 동안 회사에서 근무한 롤란드 피르메즈를 이어받게 됩니다.
뒤베르디에르는 튀니지, 이집트, 폴란드, 스페인 및 멕시코를 포함한 여러 시장에서 관리 이사로 재직하며 하이네켄에서 25년의 경험을 쌓았습니다. 2022년부터 하이네켄 멕시코에서 현재 역할을 수행하면서 그는 상당한 재정적 성장을 이끌었고, Six 소매 체인을 17,000개 매장으로 확장했으며, 회사의 첫 번째 메오키 캔 공장을 설립했습니다.
피르메즈의 AME 지역 회장 재임 기간 동안 Distell과 Namibia Breweries의 전략적 인수가 이루어져 남부 아프리카에 하이네켄 음료가 창립되었고, 시로코 합작 투자를 통해 첫 번째 주요 걸프 양조장이 설립되었습니다. 그의 리더십 아래, 이 지역은 지속적인 시장 점유율 증가와 디지털 이니셔티브를 통한 고객 만족도 향상을 달성했습니다.
Heineken N.V. (HEINY) a annoncé la nomination de Guillaume Duverdier en tant que Président Régional pour l'Afrique et le Moyen-Orient (AME) et membre de l'Équipe Exécutive de HEINEKEN, à compter du 1er juillet 2025. Duverdier, actuellement Directeur Général de HEINEKEN México, succédera à Roland Pirmez, qui prend sa retraite après 29 ans au sein de l'entreprise.
Duverdier apporte 25 ans d'expérience chez HEINEKEN, ayant occupé le poste de Directeur Général sur plusieurs marchés, y compris la Tunisie, l'Égypte, la Pologne, l'Espagne et le Mexique. Dans son rôle actuel chez HEINEKEN México depuis 2022, il a conduit une croissance financière significative, élargi la chaîne de détail Six à 17 000 magasins et lancé la première usine de canettes Meoqui de l'entreprise.
Le mandat de Pirmez en tant que Président Régional AME a vu l'acquisition stratégique de Distell et de Namibia Breweries, créant Heineken Beverages en Afrique australe, et l'établissement de la première grande brasserie du Golfe grâce à la coentreprise Sirocco. Sous sa direction, la région a enregistré des gains constants de parts de marché et amélioré la satisfaction client grâce à des initiatives numériques.
Heineken N.V. (HEINY) hat die Ernennung von Guillaume Duverdier zum Regionalpräsidenten für Afrika und den Nahen Osten (AME) und Mitglied des HEINEKEN-Exekutivteams bekannt gegeben, die am 1. Juli 2025 wirksam wird. Duverdier, der derzeit als Geschäftsführer von HEINEKEN México tätig ist, wird Roland Pirmez nachfolgen, der nach 29 Jahren im Unternehmen in den Ruhestand geht.
Duverdier bringt 25 Jahre Erfahrung bei HEINEKEN mit, nachdem er als Geschäftsführer in mehreren Märkten wie Tunesien, Ägypten, Polen, Spanien und Mexiko tätig war. In seiner aktuellen Rolle bei HEINEKEN México seit 2022 hat er ein signifikantes finanzielles Wachstum vorangetrieben, die Einzelhandelskette Six auf 17.000 Geschäfte erweitert und die erste Meoqui-Dosenfabrik des Unternehmens eröffnet.
Pirmez' Amtszeit als Regionalpräsident AME umfasste die strategische Akquisition von Distell und Namibia Breweries, wodurch Heineken Beverages in Südafrika gegründet wurde, sowie die Errichtung der ersten großen Brauerei im Golf durch das Sirocco Joint Venture. Unter seiner Leitung erzielte die Region kontinuierliche Marktanteilsgewinne und verbesserte die Kundenzufriedenheit durch digitale Initiativen.
- Appointment of experienced internal candidate with 25-year track record
- Proven success in multiple markets across different continents
- Strong performance at HEINEKEN México with significant financial acceleration
- Successful expansion of retail chain to 17,000 stores in Mexico
- Implementation of operational improvements including new can factory
- Departure of long-term executive with 29 years of experience
- Potential transition risks in key Africa Middle East region
HEINEKEN appoints new Regional President Africa and Middle East
Amsterdam, 14 April 2025 - Heineken N.V. (HEINEKEN) today announces that it has appointed Guillaume Duverdier as Regional President Africa Middle East (AME), and member of the HEINEKEN Executive Team, as per 1 July 2025. Guillaume, currently Managing Director HEINEKEN México, will succeed Roland Pirmez, who will be retiring after a successful career of 29 years within the company.
Guillaume Duverdier
Guillaume joined HEINEKEN in 2000 and has built an impressive 25-year career as a commercial leader and Managing Director across the business. He has operated in a wide range of markets differing in market archetype, size, complexity, and across multiple continents. He has been Managing Director in Tunesia, Egypt, Poland, Spain, and our largest operation globally Mexico. His track record of delivering strong business results across these varied markets is a testament to his expertise, adaptability and business acumen.
Most recently, Guillaume has served as Managing Director of HEINEKEN México since January 2022, where he significantly accelerated financial results and drove impactful strategic initiatives. Under his leadership, HEINEKEN México achieved outstanding business performance, with notable expansion of Six—HEINEKEN México’s retail chain of 17,000 stores—which is a foundation of the company’s market strategy. While accelerating digital transformation in sales, he also oversaw the commissioning of the Meoqui Can Factory—the first of its kind in the HEINEKEN world—supporting HEINEKEN’s vertical integration strategy and operational excellence. In terms of sustainability, HEINEKEN México became the company’s top performer in efficient water use, setting a benchmark across the global network.
Dolf van den Brink, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, commented: “Guillaume’s successful track record of 25 years within HEINEKEN will ensure a smooth transition. His steadfast commitment to excellence, his business acumen, and his ability to lead with both heart and discipline have left an enduring legacy in every market he has worked in. I extend my thanks for his valuable contributions to our México business and wish him continued success in his next chapter as a Regional President”.
Roland Pirmez
Roland began his career living and working in various African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, before joining HEINEKEN in 1996 as Managing Director – Angola. From there he transitioned to Asia where he was General Manager of Thai Asia Pacific Brewery from 1998 to 2002. He then led HEINEKEN’s entry into the Russian market, building the business as CEO of HEINEKEN Russia until 2008.
After Russia, Roland returned to Asia Pacific as CEO of Asia Pacific Breweries, where he played a critical role in driving HEINEKEN’s business in the region. His tenure saw significant acceleration in growth, strengthening HEINEKEN APAC into a key pillar of our company’s global footprint.
During his ten-year tenure as Regional President for AME, Roland led the business through major volatility, including the COVID pandemic and major currency devaluations. Under his leadership, the AME region entered a new phase with the acquisition of Distell and Namibia Breweries Limited, creating Heineken Beverages in Southern Africa in 2022, and the announcement of the first major brewery in the Gulf region through the Sirocco Joint Venture.
Roland shaped the commercial growth agenda, building multi-category portfolios for top-line growth. He pioneered digitizing the route to consumer, leading to increased market grip, consistent market share gains, and improved customer satisfaction. His ability to lead in uncertain circumstances while delivering sustained performance made him a key figure of HEINEKEN’s global success.
Dolf van den Brink, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board commented: “I would like to congratulate Roland for his remarkable 29-year career at HEINEKEN. His deep expertise and unwavering passion for the business has significantly contributed to HEINEKEN’s success. Roland is an exceptional team builder with a strong focus on nurturing talent. He has always relished being in the market, celebrating the joy of true togetherness. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for his valuable contributions to the business and wish him a well-deserved retirement.”
- ENDS -
Press enquiries
Christiaan Prins / Marlous den Bieman
E-mail: pressoffice@heineken.com
Tel: +31-20-5239-355
Investor and analyst enquiries
Tristan van Strien / Lennart Scholtus
E-mail: investors@heineken.com
Tel: +31-20-5239-590
About HEINEKEN
HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium and
non-alcoholic beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken® brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 340 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. With HEINEKEN’s over 85,000 employees, we brew the joy of true togetherness to inspire a better world. Our dream is to shape the future of beer and beyond to win the hearts of consumers. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brew a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Most recent information is available on our Company's website and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Attachments
FAQ
When will Guillaume Duverdier start as HEINY's Regional President for Africa Middle East?
What are Guillaume Duverdier's key achievements at HEINEKEN México?
What major acquisitions did HEINY complete under Roland Pirmez in Africa?
How long has Guillaume Duverdier been with HEINY before this appointment?
What markets has Guillaume Duverdier managed for HEINY before this promotion?
