Senior Leadership Changes at PepsiCo
Ramon Laguarta.
PepsiCo has announced three senior leadership appointments that support the company’s strategic priorities and growth agenda. Ramon Laguarta, currently CEO, Europe Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), will become president of PepsiCo, reporting to chairman and chief executive Indra Nooyi.
In his new role, Ramon Laguarta will shape PepsiCo’s corporate strategy, work closely with business units to deliver top line growth, drive productivity to enable this growth, and invest in new areas of disruptive innovation, all in support of the company’s previously announced Performance with Purpose 2025 agenda. Specifically, he will oversee PepsiCo’s Global Category Groups; its Global Operations, Corporate Strategy, and Public Policy & Government Affairs functions; and the PepsiCo Foundation. Operationally, he will work closely with Mehmood Khan, Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer, to drive category innovation and progress against PepsiCo’s sustainability goals.
Laxman Narasimhan.
Laxman Narasimhan, currently CEO, Latin America (LATAM), will become CEO, LATAM and ESSA. In this new role, Laxman Narasimhan will oversee the company’s food and beverage businesses across both geographies, with a focus on unlocking new growth opportunities for the two organizations, sharing commercial strategies and other best practices, and investing in talent development. Laxman Narasimhan will continue to report to Indra Nooyi.
Silviu Popovici, currently president, Russia, Ukraine and CIS, has been named president, ESSA. In his new role, Silviu Popovici will report to Laxman Narasimhan.
The changes, which become effective on September 1, 2017, will have no impact on PepsiCo’s external financial reporting structure. The company will continue to report segments as Frito Lay North America, LATAM, Quaker Foods North America, North America Beverages, ESSA, and Asia Middle East and North Africa, consistent with current practice.
“PepsiCo has consistently delivered top-tier financial performance while simultaneously making investments that position the company for sustainable long-term growth,” says Indra Nooyi. “Our ability to perform while we transform is a testament to our people. All across the business, from our frontline associates to our senior executives, PepsiCo is home to the very best talent in the industry. We have built a strong bench of senior executives, and these leadership appointments will further enhance our efforts to create shareholder value and propel our company forward.”
