<p> Vodafone, the world's second-biggest mobile operator, has recruited Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer, the current CEO of brewer Heineken, to succeed Gerard Kleisterlee as chairman from November this year.</p>.<p>The British company said Van Boxmeer, a Belgian, will join as a non-executive director on July 28.</p>.<p>He has been Heineken's CEO since 2005, presiding over a nearly threefold increase in its share price through a combination of strategic transactions and organic growth. He will hand over the role to Asia-Pacific chief, Dolf van den Brink, in June.</p>.<p>Van Boxmeer "is a very experienced businessman, with an in-depth knowledge of our geographic regions and he brings very strong sales and customer focus," said Kleisterlee, who has been Vodafone's chairman for nine years.</p>.<p>"I am greatly looking forward to working with (CEO) Nick (Read) and the executive team to drive forward Vodafone's strategy, ensuring that we create significant value for all stakeholders," Van Boxmeer said.</p>.<p>Earlier this month Vodafone reported a 2.6% rise in full-year core earnings and maintained its dividend, bucking a corporate trend to cut or scrap payouts due to the coronavirus crisis.</p>.<p>Shares in Vodafone, down 12% so far in 2020, closed Thursday at 129 pence, valuing the business at 34.5 billion pounds ($42.1 billion). ($1 = 0.8195 pounds) </p>
<p> Vodafone, the world's second-biggest mobile operator, has recruited Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer, the current CEO of brewer Heineken, to succeed Gerard Kleisterlee as chairman from November this year.</p>.<p>The British company said Van Boxmeer, a Belgian, will join as a non-executive director on July 28.</p>.<p>He has been Heineken's CEO since 2005, presiding over a nearly threefold increase in its share price through a combination of strategic transactions and organic growth. He will hand over the role to Asia-Pacific chief, Dolf van den Brink, in June.</p>.<p>Van Boxmeer "is a very experienced businessman, with an in-depth knowledge of our geographic regions and he brings very strong sales and customer focus," said Kleisterlee, who has been Vodafone's chairman for nine years.</p>.<p>"I am greatly looking forward to working with (CEO) Nick (Read) and the executive team to drive forward Vodafone's strategy, ensuring that we create significant value for all stakeholders," Van Boxmeer said.</p>.<p>Earlier this month Vodafone reported a 2.6% rise in full-year core earnings and maintained its dividend, bucking a corporate trend to cut or scrap payouts due to the coronavirus crisis.</p>.<p>Shares in Vodafone, down 12% so far in 2020, closed Thursday at 129 pence, valuing the business at 34.5 billion pounds ($42.1 billion). ($1 = 0.8195 pounds) </p>