Anheuser-Busch InBev, has appointed Dirk Van de Put, the chief executive of Cadbury and Oreo snacks giant Mondelez International, as its new chairman.

The change, which took effect yesterday (16 June), will see Van de Put replace Martin Barrington, who has retired from the brewer’s board.

Van de Put has been an AB InBev director since April 2023.

In its statement, the Budweiser brewer described Van de Put as a “proven leader in the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industries”.

The dual Belgian-US citizen has been Mondelez chairman and CEO since 2017.

AB InBev CEO Michel Doukeris said Van de Put’s experience will be “invaluable as we continue to grow and create a future with more cheers”.

Van de Put added: “Having spent the past three years on the AB InBev Board, I am supportive of the company’s strategy and ten-year plan. I have been impressed by the company’s talented management team, led by CEO Michel Doukeris, and I look forward to helping AB InBev write the next chapter in brewing history.”

Before joining Mondelēz, Van de Put was president and chief executive of McCain Foods.

He joined the Canadian frozen-foods group as chief operating officer in 2010 after holding executive roles at Coca-Cola, Mars, Danone and Novartis. He became McCain’s chief executive in 2011.

Earlier this week, Mondelez said former Kellanova CFO Amit Banati would take the same role at the Milka maker next month.

Banati will join Mondelez from consumer-health group Kenvue, the owner of brands including Listerine and Aveeno, where is CFO.