Coca-cola announces key organisational changes
statesman news service
KOLKATA, 19 JUNE: Making significant changes in its management structure, beverages major Coca Cola today announced elevation of Mr Atul Singh, who is currently president and CEO of the company’s India and Southwest Asia (INSWA) division, to the position of deputy president of its Pacific Group.
In his new role, Mr Atul Singh will have the responsibility over the Greater China & Korea (GC&K) division, in addition to India & Southwest Asia unit, the company said in a Press statement.
"Given the enormous growth opportunities in China, and the uniquely competitive beverage landscape, Mr Singh’s focus will largely be on the Greater China and Korea Business Unit, which also includes Taiwan, Mongolia and Hong Kong & Macau," the company said.
He will continue to report to Mr Ahmet Bozer, president, Coca-Cola International, it added.
In addition to that, Coca-Coal announced another two significant organisational changes in its Pacific Group, which will come into effect from 1 July.
As part of the changes, Mr Venkatesh Kini, currently senior vice-president, operations, India region, will be elevated as deputy business unit president of India and Southwest Asia division.
In his new role, Mr Kini will have oversight for all the business unit’s operations and functional leadership. The entire senior functional leadership of the INSWA business unit will now report to him, and he will continue to report to Mr Atul Singh, the release said.
"Mr Singh has led the INSWA business division comprising key markets such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives for nearly eight years. Under his leadership, the India operations has registered 27 consecutive quarters of growth, out of which 19 have been quarters of double-digit growth," the company said.
On elevation of Mr Venkatesh Kini, the company said he is a proven business leader and has served the company for more than 14 years. He has more than two decades of experience in India and the USA in marketing, sales and general management roles.
Further, as part of the upgraded focus on mainland China business, the company said, Mr David Brooks, current president of GC&K division, will assume a new leadership role as chairman of the division.
In this role, Mr Brooks will manage the division’s public affairs, communications and sustainability functions, in addition to continuing to oversee the division’s operations in Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia and Hong Kong & Macau. He will be reporting to Mr Atul Singh, the company said.
There are, however, no changes in the organisation structure at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, the company-owned bottling operations in India, the statement said.