The Coca‑Cola Company has on Wednesday announced that its board of directors has elected executive vice president and chief operating officer Henrique Braun as CEO, effective March 31, 2026.
Braun will succeed James Quincey, who will transition to executive chairman after serving as CEO for nine years.
Quincey, 60, has led the transformation of the business as a total beverage company, driven by a focus on staying closely connected to consumers. Under his leadership, the company has added more than 10 additional billion-dollar brands.
Coca‑Cola said Quincey has reshaped its strategy and operating model to create a “more agile, networked company,” including a focus on digital transformation and modernised marketing. He also led the company through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“James Quincey is a transformative leader,” said David Weinberg, Coca‑Cola’s lead independent director. “James set and executed a strategy that has built Coca‑Cola’s status as a global leader. James will continue to be very active in the business through his role as executive chairman.
Braun has served as EVP and COO since 1 January 2025, overseeing all the company’s operating units worldwide. He has served as EVP since 2024. From 2023 to 2024, Braun served as senior vice president and president, international development, overseeing seven of the company’s nine operating units.
Prior to that, Braun served as president of the Latin America operating unit from 2020 to 2022 and as president of the Brazil business unit from 2016 to 2020. From 2013 to 2016, Braun was president for Greater China & South Korea.
Braun joined Coca‑Cola in 1996 in Atlanta and 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.
“We are confident that Henrique Braun will build on the company’s existing strengths to unlock more growth opportunities and increase the power of the incredible Coca‑Cola system,” Weinberg said.
An American citizen who was born in California and raised in Brazil, Braun holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from the University Federal of Rio de Janeiro, a Master of Science degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Georgia State University.
“I’m honored to take on this new role and have tremendous appreciation for everything James has done to lead the company,” Braun said. “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 addresses a press conference in Mumbai on March 2, 2020.Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images
Quincey joined the company in 1996 and has held leadership roles around the world. He became CEO in 2017 and chairman of the board in 2019.
Before becoming CEO, Quincey served as COO from 2015 to 2017 and as president from 2015 to 2018. From 2013 to 2015, he was president of the company’s Europe Group. Under his leadership, the group expanded its brand portfolio and improved market share.
Quincey also played a key role in the creation of Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners, one of the largest independent Coca‑Cola bottlers in the world. Quincey served as president of the Northwest Europe and Nordics business unit from 2008 to 2012.
Quincey joined the company in Atlanta in 1996 as director of learning strategy for the Latin America Group. He went on to serve in a series of operational roles in Latin America, eventually leading to his appointment as president of the South Latin division in 2003.
A native of Britain, Quincey received a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from the University of Liverpool.
“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,” Quincey said. “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.”
Weinberg said the company is looking forward to a seamless transition in management.
“On behalf of the board, I thank James for his outstanding leadership,” Weinberg said. “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.”