Effective March 31, 2025, Henrique Braun will transition from executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer (COO) to chief executive officer (CEO) of Coca-Cola.
He succeeds James Quincy, who has led as CEO since 2017 and served as chairman of the board since 2019.
Quincy will continue his journey with the beverage giant, taking on the role of executive chairman.
Quincy began his Coca-Cola career in 1996 as the director of learning strategy for the Latin America Group. Since then, he has embraced various leadership roles globally.
During his time at Coca-Cola, he has significantly reshaped the company’s strategy and operational model, paving the way for a more agile and interconnected organization. His emphasis on digital transformation and modernized marketing has particularly resonated within the food and beverage industry trends.
Under his stewardship, Coca-Cola introduced more than ten billion-dollar brands and played a vital role in establishing Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, one of the largest independent bottlers globally.
As the new CEO, Braun aims to capitalize on the solid frameworks laid by Quincy. His priorities will include expanding international growth, enhancing customer engagement, and harnessing technology to boost business performance, aligning with current food and drink innovation trends.
Having joined Coca-Cola in 1996, Braun is a seasoned veteran of the company. His extensive career encompasses roles across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, focusing on supply chain management, marketing, innovation, and general management.
He became EVP in 2024 and soon added COO to his responsibilities, overseeing the company’s global operations.
“I’m honoured to take on this new role and have tremendous appreciation for everything James has done to lead the company,” Braun remarked.
“I will focus on continuing the momentum we’ve built with our system. We’ll work to unlock future growth in partnership with our bottlers. I’m excited about the future of our business and see huge opportunities in a fast-changing global market.”
David Weinberg, Coca-Cola’s lead independent director, expressed confidence that Braun will enhance the company’s strengths to discover new growth avenues, aligning perfectly with food and drink consumer trends.
He described Quincy as a “transformative leader,” acknowledging his vital role in solidifying Coca-Cola’s position as a global leader. Quincy will remain “very active” in the business.
Weinberg further noted, “James has done what a strong CEO should do – he has focused on the future and developing and empowering the next set of leaders who will take Coke forward. Henrique has shown that he is the right leader for the future of Coca-Cola.”
Reflecting on his transition to executive chairman, Quincy stated, “I’m stepping down as CEO after a 30-year career with the company, and I appreciate what a privilege it has been to serve this great and enduring business. Henrique is a trusted and highly experienced business partner, and he’s the right leader to steer the company and the Coca-Cola system for future growth and success.”
