Carlsberg CEO Cees ‘t Hart to retire

After eight years as CEO of the Carlsberg Group, Cees ’t Hart has informed the supervisory board of his intention to leave the Group by the end of Q3 2023.

Since beginning his position at the beer giant, the company has been “significantly strengthened,” with 2022 seeing Carlsberg deliver an all-time high revenue and operating profit of DKK 70.3bn and DKK 11.5bn (approx. $1.65bn), respectively.

In 2017, Carlsberg became one of the first ten companies – and the first brewer – in the world to introduce science-based targets aligned with the 1.5°C goal in the Paris Agreement. The company has achieved relevant progress on its sustainability targets, including a 57% reduction in carbon emissions.

Chair of Carlsberg’s supervisory board, Henrik Poulsen, said: “Cees ’t Hart has delivered remarkable results during his time at Carlsberg…Under his leadership, the Group has navigated significant challenges, including the difficult Covid-19 years, the war in Ukraine, and the ongoing sale of Russian business. Cees leaves behind a purpose-led and performance-driven company with solid strategic, financial, organizational, and societal health.”

Cees ‘t Hart said: “It has been a privilege leading Carlsberg the past eight years. I’m immensely proud of the organization and the results we as a team, have achieved. I’m confident the successful journey of Carlsberg will continue well into the future.”

He continued: “Staying on board for another half a year will allow me and the team to continue delivering on our challenging plans for 2023 and accomplishing the sale of the Russian business before the summer. Thereafter, I’ll focus on some interesting non-executive roles.”