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Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

Leadership History

AB InBev: CEO History

2 leaders · 2005 to present

Who is the CEO of AB InBev?

Michel Doukeris is the CEO of AB InBev, in the role since 2021. The first chief executive was Carlos Brito, from 2005.

Current CEO
Michel Doukeris (since 2021)
First CEO
Carlos Brito (2005)
Leaders documented
2
Founded
2008
NameRoleFromToYears in role
Michel DoukerisChief Executive Officer2021Present5
Carlos BritoChief Executive Officer2005202116
Who was CEO of AB InBev before Michel Doukeris?
Carlos Brito was CEO of AB InBev from 2005 to 2021, before Michel Doukeris took over in 2021.

Company Overview

Anheuser-Busch InBev is the world's largest brewer by volume. Headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, it owns global brands such as Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona (outside the U.S., where Constellation Brands holds the rights), plus local brands including Bud Light, Modelo Especial in Mexico, Skol and Brahma in Brazil, Aguila in Colombia and Jupiler in Belgium. It employed about 137,000 people at the end of 2025 and reported $59.3 billion in revenue for that year.

AB InBev brews and sells beer and other malt beverages in five reporting regions: North America, Middle Americas, South America, EMEA and Asia Pacific. Mainstream beer brought in about 50% of FY2025 revenue, above-core (premium) beer 35% and Beyond Beer 3%. Most products reach retailers and bars through company-owned or independent wholesalers; outside the U.S. a large share of orders now runs through BEES, which captured 72% of revenue digitally in FY2025. BEES Marketplace also sells third-party goods to the same retailers ($3.5 billion of GMV in FY2025). Growth comes from pricing and mix: revenue per hectoliter rose 4.4% in FY2025.

Michel Doukeris

Chief Executive Officer

2021 – Present

5 years (current)

Key Decisions & Impact

Organized strategy around three pillars: lead and grow the category, digitize and monetize the ecosystem, and optimize the business. BEES reached 29 markets and $52.5 billion of GMV in FY2025. Agreed in December 2025 to buy 85% of BeatBox for up to about $490 million and in January 2026 reacquired the 49.9% stake in U.S. metal container plants from Apollo for about $2.9 billion. Net debt to EBITDA was 2.87x at the end of 2025.

Legacy

Became CEO on 1 July 2021. Joined the company in 1996, led China and Asia Pacific operations for seven years, became global Chief Sales Officer in 2016 and ran Anheuser-Busch and the North America Zone before his appointment.

Carlos Brito

Chief Executive Officer

2005 – 2021

16 years

Key Decisions & Impact

Led the 2008 Anheuser-Busch acquisition ($54.8 billion offer), the 2013 Grupo Modelo combination ($20.1 billion), the 2014 Oriental Brewery repurchase ($5.8 billion) and the 2016 SAB combination ($114 billion gross consideration). After SAB, cut the 2018 dividend in half, listed Budweiser APAC in 2019 ($5.75 billion) and sold the Australian business in 2020 (net proceeds $10.8 billion) to reduce debt.

Legacy

CEO of InBev from 2005 and of AB InBev after the 2008 Anheuser-Busch deal. Stepped down on 1 July 2021 after 15 years as CEO and 32 years with the company.

Challenges & Strategic Context

AB InBev's main risks are softer beer volumes in some mature markets, lingering U.S. brand pressure after the Bud Light controversy, high debt from past megadeals, commodity inflation, currency translation, regulation, and a consumer shift toward spirits, RTDs, no-alcohol drinks, and health-conscious occasions. The company must keep premium brands growing while defending core lagers and making sure BEES and Beyond Beer create durable profit rather than only extra complexity.

AB InBev CEO and Leadership FAQ

Who is the current CEO of AB InBev?

Michel Doukeris became Chief Executive Officer of AB InBev in July 2021, having previously served as President of the North America Zone and CEO of Anheuser-Busch, and before that as global Chief Sales Officer.

Who was Carlos Brito and what was his legacy at AB InBev?

Carlos Brito was CEO of InBev and then AB InBev for 15 years, from 2005 until 1 July 2021. He led the acquisitions of Anheuser-Busch (2008), Grupo Modelo (2013) and SABMiller (2016).

How has Michel Doukeris shifted AB InBev's corporate strategy?

Under Doukeris, AB InBev shifted from pure M&A cost-cutting to organic revenue expansion, customer-centric brand marketing, B2B digital ecosystem development (BEES), and premium category growth.

Who is Jorge Paulo Lemann and what is 3G Capital's role in AB InBev?

Jorge Paulo Lemann, Marcel Telles and Carlos Alberto Sicupira bought control of Brazilian brewer Brahma in 1989. Brahma became part of Ambev, which combined with Interbrew in 2004 to form InBev. Bloomberg describes the three as sharing control of AB InBev.

How did August Busch IV depart following the 2008 InBev takeover?

August Busch IV was the last Busch family CEO of Anheuser-Busch. InBev completed its acquisition of the company in November 2008, ending Busch family management.

What is CEO Michel Doukeris's background within AB InBev?

Doukeris joined the company in 1996 and held commercial roles in Latin America, then led China and Asia Pacific operations for seven years. He became global Chief Sales Officer in 2016 and led Anheuser-Busch and the North America Zone before becoming CEO in 2021.

How has Doukeris organized AB InBev's strategy?

Under Doukeris, AB InBev's strategy has three pillars: Lead and Grow the Category, Digitize and Monetize our Ecosystem, and Optimize our Business.

What is executive management's capital allocation priority for 2025 and 2026?

Management targets net debt of around 2x normalized EBITDA, reiterated a 2026 EBITDA growth target of 4% to 8%, and proposed a EUR 1.00 final dividend for FY2025.

Who is the CEO of AB InBev?

Michel Doukeris took over as CEO in 2021, succeeding Carlos Brito who led the company's massive M&A expansion for 15 years.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.