USA – The American food and beverage major, PepsiCo has announced that it has appointed Chief Executive Ramon Laguarta as Chairman of the company Board, effective February 1, 2018.
Laguarta succeeds former CEO Indra K. Nooyi who announced to step down from the company as Chief Executive from October 3, 2018 and remain Chairman until early 2019 to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.
He was appointed chief executive last year, and the appointment makes him the sixth CEO and Chairman in PepsiCo’s 53-year history, after Nooyi, Steve Reinemund, Roger A. Enrico, Wayne D. Calloway, Donald M. Kendall and Herman W. Lay.
“I am honored to take on this important post and want to thank the Board for the confidence they have placed in me,” said Laguarta.
“I also want to thank Indra for her outstanding leadership and tireless work on behalf of PepsiCo.
I look forward to building on the strong legacy she and our previous leaders have created, and to working with our very talented global team to position PepsiCo for our next phase of growth.”
Laguarta was President of PepsiCo before rising to CEO role, reflecting 22-years of service at the company, including in a number of executive and leadership roles.
As President, he was accountable for PepsiCo’s Global Category Groups; its Global Operations, Corporate Strategy, and Public Policy & Government Affairs functions; and the PepsiCo Foundation.
Previously, Laguarta served as Chief Executive Officer, Europe Sub-Saharan Africa, one of PepsiCo’s most complex businesses with operations spanning three continents and comprised of developed, developing and emerging markets.
Prior to that, he served as President, PepsiCo Eastern Europe region and served in a variety of sales, marketing and other commercial roles across Europe.
“We are pleased to appoint Ramon as our company’s Chairman. He is an outstanding leader with a compelling vision for PepsiCo and a keen understanding of the evolving needs of consumers around the world.
His vast PepsiCo knowledge, combined with his innovative thinking and proven executional excellence, make him the ideal steward to take on this most important role and lead our company into the future,” said Presiding Director Ian Cook.
