The Coca-Cola Company (KO) announced a series of sweeping leadership changes aimed at deepening consumer engagement and accelerating digital transformation.
Notably, Henrique Braun, currently Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed James Quincey as CEO on March 31. The beverage giant is also creating a new chief digital officer role to unify digital, data, and operational strategies. Sedef Salingan Sahin, president of Coca-Cola’s Eurasia and Middle East operating unit, will assume this position, reporting to Braun. Sahin, a long-time company executive with broad international and digital experience, will lead enterprise-wide integration of digital initiatives, with the transition of digital strategy oversight from President and CFO John Murphy to her.
Elsewhere in the C-suite, Murphy will continue as CFO, retaining responsibility for global strategy, corporate development, and finance functions. Meanwhile, Manolo Arroyo will take on an expanded role as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Customer Commercial Officer, assuming customer and commercial leadership responsibilities previously held by Murphy.
Coca-Cola (KO) highlighted that it is reorganizing its market leadership to strengthen its focus on key international regions. Sanket Ray, president of the India and Southwest Asia unit, will lead the newly defined “Emerging Large Markets,” encompassing India, Southwest Asia, Greater China, Mongolia, Japan, and South Korea. Claudia Lorenzo, currently chief of staff to Quincey, will serve as president of the Eurasia and Middle East unit and lead “Emerging Multi-Markets,” covering Eurasia, the Middle East, the ASEAN and South Pacific region, and Africa.
Shares of Coca-Cola (KO) trickled 0.2% lower in premarket trading. The stock has racked up a 1.9% gain for the early part of 2025.