Coca-Cola announced Wednesday that its chief operating officer, Henrique Braun, will take over as CEO in the first quarter of 2026.

The Atlanta-based beverage company said its board elected Braun, 57, to the role effective March 31. Current CEO and chairman James Quincey will transition to executive chairman.

Braun, a 30-year Coca-Cola veteran, became COO earlier this year after leading operations in Brazil, Latin America, Greater China and South Korea. He has also overseen supply chain, marketing, innovation, bottling operations, general management, and new business development. Born in California and raised in Brazil, Braun holds a bachelor’s in agricultural engineering from the University Federal of Rio de Janeiro, a master’s from Michigan State University, and an MBA from Georgia State University.

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David Weinberg, Coca-Cola’s lead independent director, called Quincey, 60, a “transformative leader” who will remain active in the business. During his nine-year tenure as CEO, Quincey expanded Coke’s portfolio with more than 10 billion-dollar brands, including BodyArmor and Fairlife, and entered the alcoholic beverage market with Topo Chico Hard Seltzer. In 2020, he led a major restructuring that halved Coke’s brands and cut thousands of jobs to focus on faster-growing products like Simply and Minute Maid juices.

As Quincey steps down, Coca-Cola faces challenges including slow demand in the U.S. and Europe and heightened consumer scrutiny of ingredients. This summer, following a suggestion from former President Donald Trump, the company announced it would release a cane sugar version of its classic Cola.

Weinberg expressed confidence that Braun would build on the company’s strengths and pursue global growth opportunities. Coca-Cola shares were flat in after-hours trading.

Source: AP