The 51-year-old, Belgian-born businessman joined Heineken International in 1984, shortly after earning a Masters Degree in Economics at Facultè Universitaires Notre Dame de la Paix. Working as a trainee in the Netherlands until 1987, van Boxmeer demonstrated dynamic and adaptable business acumen through his work in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Poland and Italy, before being made General Manager of Heineken Italia from 2000 to 2001.