The Coca-Cola Company has confirmed a major leadership succession plan, announcing that current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Henrique Braun will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer effective 31 March 2026.
Braun will succeed James Quincey, who is set to transition to the role of Executive Chairman after a nine-year tenure as CEO. The board also intends to nominate Braun for election as a director at the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareowners.
A Legacy of Transformation
Quincey, who joined the company in 1996 and took the helm as CEO in 2017, is credited with steering the beverage giant through a significant period of modernisation. His leadership oversaw a strategic reshaping of the operating model to foster agility and a networked organisational structure.
Key milestones during Quincey's tenure include:
Portfolio Expansion: The addition of over ten billion-dollar brands.
Strategic Bottling: Playing a pivotal role in the creation of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), now one of the world's largest independent bottlers.
Resilience & Digital: Leading the digital transformation of the business and navigating the company through the global disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Profile of the Incoming CEO
Henrique Braun brings decades of operational experience to the top job. A company veteran since 1996, Braun has served as EVP and COO since 1 January 2025, a role in which he oversaw all global operating units.
His path to the CEO office is paved with extensive international leadership experience:
2023–2024: Senior Vice President and President of International Development, managing seven of the nine operating units.
2020–2022: President of the Latin America unit.
2016–2020: President of the Brazil business.
2013–2016: President for Greater China and South Korea.
Braun’s mandate as CEO will focus on leveraging technology to drive business performance and aligning the company more closely with evolving consumer needs globally.
Commenting on the transition, Henrique Braun stated: “I’m honoured to take on this new role and have tremendous appreciation for everything James has done to lead the company. 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.”
James Quincey reflected on his upcoming departure from the CEO role: “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.”
Coca-Cola Appoints Henrique Braun as CEO to Succeed James Quincey in 2026
