The Coca-Cola Company has unveiled a comprehensive suite of leadership changes designed to accelerate digital adoption and streamline global operations. Effective 31 March 2026, the restructure coincides with Henrique Braun’s previously announced ascension to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
The strategic overhaul aims to bring the business closer to consumers by unifying digital, data, and operational excellence under a newly created C-suite position, while simultaneously realigning oversight of key international growth markets.
Digital Transformation: A New C-Suite Focus
Central to the announcement is the creation of the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) role. Sedef Salingan Sahin, currently President of the Eurasia and Middle East operating unit, has been appointed to this pivotal position, reporting directly to Braun.
Sahin is tasked with leading the end-to-end digitisation of the enterprise. Her mandate involves integrating the company’s digital network and connecting workflows across functions to strengthen execution and speed to market. Responsibilities for digital strategy, previously held by President and CFO John Murphy, will transition to Sahin.
Henrique Braun, incoming CEO, commented on the strategic necessity of the role:
"We believe our ongoing growth depends on understanding consumers even more deeply. The Chief Digital Officer position is a pivotal new role for our future. Sedef’s proven leadership will help shape how we digitalise the enterprise end-to-end... to help strengthen execution, simplify how we work and enable us to deliver for consumers with greater precision and speed."
Commercial and Financial Realignment
Alongside the digital push, the company is consolidating its commercial leadership.
Manolo Arroyo: Currently EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Arroyo will see his remit expand to include Customer and Commercial Leadership responsibilities. His new title will be EVP, Chief Marketing and Customer Commercial Officer.
John Murphy: Continuing as President and Chief Financial Officer, Murphy will transfer commercial duties to Arroyo to focus on the broader growth agenda, retaining oversight of Global Strategy, Corporate Development, Investor Relations, and Enterprise Services.
Operational Market Groupings
To enhance focus on dynamic international territories, Coca-Cola is creating two new market groupings that report directly to Braun:
Emerging Large Markets: Overseen by Sanket Ray (President, India and Southwest Asia). This group encompasses India, Southwest Asia, Greater China, Mongolia, Japan, and South Korea.
Emerging Multi-Markets: Overseen by Claudia Lorenzo (current Chief of Staff to CEO James Quincey). This group covers Eurasia, Middle East, ASEAN, South Pacific, and Africa.
Transition Support
To support the leadership transition, Robin Halpern, currently Vice President and Head of Investor Relations, has been named Braun’s incoming Chief of Staff.
James Quincey will continue to serve the company as Executive Chairman of the Board following the handover in March.
Coca-Cola Creates Chief Digital Officer Role in Major Leadership Overhaul Under Incoming CEO Braun
