ATLANTA: The Coca-Cola Company has announced key changes in top leadership, including the election of a new president and chief operating officer and a succession plan for the chief financial officer.
Most of the new appointments are effective January 1, 2019.
Brian Smith has been elevated to president and COO, reporting to CEO James Quincey.
Smith’s elevation fills a vacancy that has existed since Quincey was named to CEO in May 2017. Prior to that role, Quincey served as president and COO.
Smith is a 21-year Coca-Cola veteran who currently serves as president of the company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) group.
The appointment of a president and COO will allow Quincey, who is a member of the board of directors, to focus on the overall long-term strategic direction of the company.
Smith joined the company in 1997. His prior roles include serving as president of both the Brazil and Mexico divisions before being named group president for Latin America. He was named to his current position as group president of EMEA in 2016.
In EMEA, Smith oversaw the successful integration of the Europe, Eurasia and Africa groups into one operating group. Under his leadership, the group has grown organic revenues over the past eight quarters. In Latin America, Smith oversaw the acquisitions of several brands, including AdeS in Argentina and Santa Clara in Mexico.
“I have tremendous respect for Brian, who is a valued business partner,” Quincey said. “He is the ideal person to steer the in-market executional leadership of the company, which will allow me to focus on the strategic direction of Coca-Cola as we continue to evolve as a total beverage company.”
John Murphy, who currently serves as president of the company’s Asia Pacific group, will become senior vice president and deputy CFO on January 1, 2019. He will be elevated to executive vice president and CFO on March 16, 2019, following the retirement of Kathy Waller.
Waller currently serves as executive vice president, CFO and president of Enabling Services. She will depart the company after 32 years in Coca-Cola.
New CTO appointed; chief information officer adds duties
The company also announced that Nancy Quan has been elected senior vice president and appointed chief technical officer, reporting to Quincey. She currently serves as a vice president for the company and CTO for Coca-Cola North America. Quan has worked for the company for 11 years.
Quan succeeds Ed Hays, who will retire from the company on March 31, 2019. Hays will transition to a role as senior advisor on January 1, 2019, reporting to Quincey. Hays, who has served as senior vice president and CTO since 2015, joined the company in 1985.
Finally, Barry Simpson, who serves as senior vice president and CIO, is adding new duties that include oversight of portions of the company’s Enabling Services organization. These functions currently report to Waller. Simpson, who will have the new title of senior vice president and chief information and integrated services officer, will begin his expanded duties on January 1, 2019.
