ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Co. has announced a number of senior leadership appointments to take effect on May 1, when James Quincey, currently president and chief operating officer, succeeds Muhtar Kent as chief executive officer.
The key changes include combining global marketing, customer and commercial leadership and strategy into one combined function under the leadership of a new chief growth officer, naming a chief innovation officer, positioning the information technology function as a direct report to the c.e.o., and combining global transactional and expertise services into an expanded integrated services organization that will focus on financial, procurement and associate shared services.
The changes are part of Coca-Cola’s broader strategy to become a leaner and more agile organization and follow changes made by Mr. Quincey to the company’s international operations leadership team last year.
“Today’s organizational announcement is another building block in our company’s transformational journey,” Mr. Quincey said. “We are moving quickly to structure our organization for faster growth and to ensure we can respond to the fast-changing needs of our consumers, customers, system and associates around the world. Each of the leaders named today is highly capable and understands our clear mandate for change, and I look forward to partnering with them as we transform our business for the future.”
Francisco Crespo, currently president of the Mexico business unit, has been tapped for the newly created role of chief growth officer. In this role, he will lead the company’s global marketing, corporate strategy, and customer and commercial leadership teams, creating a consolidated team to drive growth across five strategic beverage categories: sparkling, juice/dairy/plant-based, tea and coffee, water and enhanced waters, and energy. Julie Hamilton, chief customer and commercial leadership officer, will report to Mr. Crespo.
Robert Long |
Robert Long, currently vice-president of research and development, will become chief innovation officer, reporting directly to Mr. Quincey. The move underscores Coca-Cola’s increased focus on accelerating the growth of its brand portfolio with hundreds of new products and continued innovation in beverages, packaging and ingredients.
Barry Simpson, senior vice-president and chief information officer, will remain in his role but will become a direct report to Mr. Quincey to increase visibility and focus on efforts to digitize Coca-Cola’s business.
Kathy Waller |
Kathy Waller, executive vice-president and chief financial officer, will assume expanded responsibility over the global technical team, led by Ed Hays, a newly created integrated services team, led by Robin Moore, and a new business transformation team, led by Mark Eppert. Ms. Moore, currently chief of internal audit, will replace Ann Taylor, president of global business services, who will retire from the company after a 32-year career. Mr. Eppert, chief financial and supply chain officer for Coca-Cola North America, will join Ms. Waller’s team to lead global business transformation, and Brent Hastie, senior vice-president, corporate strategy and planning, will succeed Mr. Eppert as chief financial and supply chain officer for Coca-Cola North America.
Jennifer Mann, currently chief of staff to Mr. Quincey, will become chief people officer.
Bea Perez |
Bea Perez, currently vice-president and chief sustainability officer, will become chief public affairs, communications and sustainability officer.
The company also announced several senior leadership retirements. Marcos de Quinto, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, will retire after 35 years with the company. Ceree Eberly, senior vice-president and chief people officer, will retire after a 27-year career with Coca-Cola. Clyde Tuggle, senior vice-president and chief public affairs and communications officer, will retire after 28 years with Coca-Cola.
“We enter this next chapter of our history on the shoulders of so many great leaders who have come before us,” Mr. Quincey continued. “We are grateful to Marcos, Ceree and Clyde for their nearly 90 years of combined service to the company, and we salute their legacy of strong leadership and wise counsel. We wish them each the best as they retire.”