The Coca-Cola Co. has elected EVP and Chief Operating Officer Henrique Braun as CEO, effective March 31.
Braun will succeed James Quincey, who will transition to executive chairman after serving as CEO for nine years. The board also plans to nominate Braun for election as a director at the company’s 2026 annual meeting of shareowners.
Quincey, 60, led the company’s transformation into a total beverage company, adding more than 10 billion-dollar brands during his tenure. He reshaped the company’s strategy and operating model to create a more agile, networked organization and guided Coca-Cola through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“James Quincey is a transformative leader,” said David Weinberg, Coca-Cola’s lead independent director. “James set and executed a strategy that has built Coca-Cola’s status as a global leader. James will continue to be very active in the business through his role as executive chairman.”
As CEO, Braun will focus on growth opportunities worldwide, driving the company closer to consumer needs and leveraging technology as an enabler of business performance.
“I’m honored to take on this new role and have tremendous appreciation for everything James has done to lead the company,” Braun said. “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.”
Braun has served as EVP and COO since Jan. 1, overseeing all the company’s operating units worldwide. From 2023-24, he served as SVP and president of international development, overseeing seven of the company’s nine operating units. He served as president of the Latin America operating unit from 2020 to 2022 and president of the Brazil business unit from 2016 to 2020.
Braun joined Coca-Cola in 1996 in Atlanta and progressed through roles in supply chain, new business development, marketing, innovation, general management and bottling operations across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Quincey became CEO in 2017 and chairman of the board in 2019. He joined the company in 1996 and held leadership roles around the world before serving as COO from 2015 to 2017.
The Coca-Cola Co. sells products in more than 200 countries and territories. The company’s portfolio includes Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Dasani, Smartwater, Powerade, Costa, Minute Maid, Simply and Fairlife.
[Related: The Coca-Cola Co. Highlights Growth, Future Plans In Annual Report]