Forum of Private Business hosts author of controversial Heineken practices research

The controversial global activities of Heineken are to be laid bare on 26 February when the Forum of Private Business hosts Oliver Van Beeman to present the findings of five years of research in his book ‘Heineken in Africa’.

The book reveals many controversial facts and practices that made headlines in the Netherlands. It shows how Heineken allegedly collaborates with dictators, authoritarian governments and an alleged war criminal, how it uses a mysterious Belgian operating company for tax avoidance in African countries and the ties that the company has to human rights violations and high level corruption.

The activities of Heineken in the UK will be highlighted by reference to the evidence uncovered by Van Beeman’s research.

Launched on 14 February, the revelations in the book have already led to parliamentary questions being asked in both the Dutch national assembly and the European Parliament, a boycot in France, the divestment of a Dutch bank and the unilateral suspension of a partnership with a prominent NGO.

Commenting, Ian Cass, Managing Director of the Forum of Private Business said, “At the Forum we are continually lobbying the Pub Code Adjudicator to instill fairness into the operations of the PubCos. Hearing from Oliver Van Beeman on the practices of Heineken in Africa will bring a new focus into those aspects that he should be concentrating on.

“The UK pub trade should be interested in Heineken’s business practices as Heineken are now the largest pub operator in the UK.”

The event will take place at 12.00 on 26 February at the Victoria Rooms, 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BY.

ENDS

For more information contact Dave Mountford on 07792198954 or email Dave.Mountford@fpb.org


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About Forum of Private Business

The Forum of Private Business is a not-for-profit comprehensive business support organisation founded in 1977. Our membership is spread throughout the UK and primarily made up of companies that employ between 1-50 employees, helping them to manage employees, saving time, giving advice, support and protection where a business needs it. We are a recognised leading authority on business issues and represent the interests of business owners on many consultative bodies. We have built a solid reputation, being influential in many areas of policy-making, in changing laws that affect small businesses, and we continue to campaign for the fair treatment of businesses within the UK. Everything we do is about making sure our members’ businesses operate profitably. This means that every penny we make goes back in to supporting our members, providing the support and resources that will enable businesses to flourish and grow.


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