9. July 2026
Jaanus Vihand, who has led A. Le Coq, Estonia’s largest beverage producer, for the past four years, will step down from his position at the end of October this year. Vihand is leaving at his own request to pursue new professional challenges. The company has started the search for a new CEO.
“The decision to leave was not an easy one. I spent many sleepless nights weighing the pros and cons. Although I cannot yet comment on my next challenge, it is an exciting new chapter that was difficult to turn down. I will always remain an admirer of A. Le Coq and am sincerely grateful to the team for their trust and for the journey we have shared together,” Vihand commented.
Jaanus Vihand became CEO of A. Le Coq in September 2022, taking over from the company’s long-serving leader Tarmo Noop. During the past four years, Vihand has focused on implementing A. Le Coq’s renewed strategy by increasing the share of non-alcoholic products in the company’s portfolio, strengthening the position of its core brands in the domestic market, expanding exports, and developing a new product category with significant export potential. One of the most important milestones during his tenure was the transaction through which A. Le Coq acquired the well-known mineral water producer Värska Originaal in June.
Tarmo Noop will be appointed Interim CEO of A. Le Coq as of 21 September. He will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of Olvi Plc but will step down from the Audit Committee due to his interim executive role. Tarmo Noop led A. Le Coq from 1998 to 2022. His temporary appointment is intended to ensure a smooth transition until a new CEO is selected and assumes the position.
