After 25 years at the company, Kees van der Hoeven, CEO of Universal Music Benelux, announces retirement

Kees van der Hoeven, CEO and President of Universal Music Benelux, will retire from his role at the end of the year, the company has announced.

Van der Hoeven led UMG’s business in the Netherlands for over 25 years, and has been in charge of the company’s wider Benelux operations since 2013. He oversaw chart successes with artists including Dutch rock band Kensington, singer-songwriter Ilse DeLange, DJ and record producer Tiësto, and more.

During his tenure, he helped establish partnerships with Dutch hip-hop label TopNotch/Noah’s Ark, as well as NRGY. He worked alongside international recording artists such as Lady Gaga, Lionel Richie and Sting throughout his career at Universal.

Frank Briegmann, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon, will assume management of his responsibilities “until further announcement,” the UMG unit said.

“I want to thank Frank for his support during all these years and of course to all my colleagues in the Benelux, Central Europe and globally. It’s been a great ride.”

Kees van der Hoeven, Universal Music Group

Commenting on his departure, van der Hoeven said: “First of all, a heartfelt thank you to all the fantastic artists who I’ve had the pleasure to work with. You are the heart and soul of our company and it has been an absolute joy.

“I want to thank Frank for his support during all these years and of course to all my colleagues in the Benelux, Central Europe and globally. It’s been a great ride.”

Briegmann said: “We have been carefully planning Kees’ well-deserved transition into retirement for some time now and I hold immense respect for his integrity and expertise. Kees successfully led the UMG business in the Netherlands for over 25 years.”

“We have been carefully planning Kees’ well-deserved transition into retirement for some time now and I hold immense respect for his integrity and expertise.”

Frank Briegmann, Universal Music Group

He added: “Since 2013 he has managed all Benelux entities with a mixture of thoughtfulness and exceptional leadership and a great deal of expertise.

“Our work relationship has been built on a foundation of trust and mutual respect and his legacy will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact and will continue to inspire us. I am wishing Kees all the very best for his next phase in life.”

The executive change marks the latest across the wider Universal Music Group. In June, Matt Ellis assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer. In May, activist investor Bill Ackman resigned from the board of UMG, two months after non-executive director Manning Doherty also stepped down from the board.

Elsewhere at UMG, the music giant recently struck deals with AI companies, including Udio, which it previously sued over copyright infringement, and Los Angeles-based music technology company KLAY Vision Inc.

In Q3 2025, UMG reported a 10.2% YoY jump in overall revenue to €3.021 billion ($3.53bn), while adjusted EBITDA weighed in at €664 million ($775m) – a margin of 22%.

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