PepsiCo has announced three senior leadership appointments that support the company’s strategic priorities and growth agenda. The following moves are effective September 1, 2017:
Ramon Laguarta, currently CEO, Europe Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), will become president, PepsiCo. In his new role, 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, Laguarta 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. Laguarta will continue to report to PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi.
Laxman Narasimhan, currently CEO, Latin America (LATAM), will become CEO, LATAM and ESSA. In this new role, 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. Narasimhan will continue to report to Nooyi.
Silviu Popovici, currently president, Russia, Ukraine, and CIS, has been named president, ESSA. Popovici has been an integral part of PepsiCo’s success in Russia and Eastern Europe during the past several years, leading his businesses through volatility while capitalizing on new growth opportunities and building capabilities for the future. In his new role, Popovici will report to Narasimhan.
“PepsiCo has consistently delivered top-tier financial performance while simultaneously making investments that position the company for sustainable long-term growth,” said 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.”