The Coca‑Cola Company announces CEO succession plan; Chief Operating Officer Henrique Braun to succeed James Quincey as CEO in 2026
The Coca‑Cola Company 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 …
Quincey to continue as Executive Chairman of the board
The Coca‑Cola Company 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.
The board also plans to nominate Braun, 57, to stand for election as a director at the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareowners.
Leadership transition
Quincey, 60, will step down as CEO after a highly successful tenure. He 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.
Quincey has reshaped the company’s 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.
As CEO, Braun will focus on opportunities to build on this strong foundation. His priorities include seeking the best growth opportunities worldwide; driving the company to get even closer to consumer needs; and leveraging technology as an enabler of business performance and growth.
About Henrique Braun
Braun has served as EVP and COO since Jan. 1, 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.
He 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. Braun is an American citizen who was born in California and raised in Brazil.