Director, Global Sustainable Development at HEINEKEN International
Michael is a seasoned corporate relations professional with a proven track record in strategic CSR management, stakeholder engagement, post-merger integration and crisis management. Based in Amsterdam, he is currently overseeing and further integrating HEINEKEN’s global CSR strategy called ‘Brewing a Better World’.
Being part of the six company strategies, Brewing a Better World focuses on six key areas: water, energy, sourcing, responsible consumption, inclusive growth as well as health & safety.
Previously, Michael was Corporate Relations Manager at HEINEKEN Netherlands. During his tenure, the Dutch business launched various sustainability initiatives, e.g. a container terminal from Europe’s largest brewery to the Rotterdam Harbour, the ‘Sustainable Partners in On-Trade’ campaign as well as several Responsible Drinking partnerships with health organizations and local governments.
Michael joined HEINEKEN ten years ago from Brau Union where he was Head of Communication and Investor Relations. He has a Masters Degree and Doctorate in Law (Johannes Kepler University, Linz/Austria). He spent his early working life in European Parliament as Chief of Staff for MEP Dr. Paul Rübig.
Regular speaker topics of Michael include e.g.
· HEINEKEN’s ‘Brewing a Better World’-program;
· Intersecting Sustainability and Marketing;
· Local stakeholder dialogue;
· Climate-neutral breweries in practice;
· Water stewardship strategy.