Henrique Braun will take on the top job on March 31, 2026 (The Coca-Cola Company)
James Quincy will be stepping down as chief executive officer for the global beverage giant after nine years at the helm.
Executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer (COO) Henrique Braun will take on the position of CEO on 31 March 2025.
He replaces James Quincy who has served as Coca-Cola’s CEO since 2017 and chairman of the board since 2019.
Quincy will remain with the beverage company, assuming the role of executive chairman.
Quincy joined the company in 1996 as director of learning strategy for the Latin America Group and has held leadership roles around the world.
During his tenure, he has reshaped Coca-Cola’s strategy and operating model, creating a more agile and connected business. His focus has been on digital transformation and modernised marketing.
Under his leadership, Coca-Cola added more than 10 additional billion-dollar brands. He also played a key role in the creation of Coca Cola Europacific Partners, one of the largest independent Coca-Cola bottlers in the world.
Braun will focus on opportunities to build on the strong foundations set by Quincy, with his priorities including further international growth, getting closer to consumer needs, and leveraging technology to drive business performance and growth.
Braun is another long-serving member of the Coca-Cola team, having joined the business in 1996 in Atlanta. He progressed through roles of increasing responsibilities in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Those positions included supply chain, new business development, marketing, innovation, general management, and bottling operations.
He was appointed as EVP in 2024, taking on the additional responsibility of COO a year later. In this position, he oversaw the company’s operating units worldwide.
“I’m honoured to take on this new role and have tremendous appreciation for everything James has done to lead the company,” Braun commented.
“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.”
Coca-Cola’s lead independent director David Weinberg said the business is “confident” that Braun will build on the company’s existing strengths to unlock more growth opportunities.
He described Quincy as a “transformative leader”, noting what an integral part he has been in cementing Coke’s status as a global leader and said he will remain “very active” in the business.
He added: “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.”
Commenting on his upcoming transition to executive chairman, Quincy said: “I’m stepping down as CEO after a 30-year career with the company, and I have an appreciation of 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.”
