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.

At its ordinary meeting following yesterday’s virtual Annual General Meeting, the Supervisory Board of Symrise AG elected Michael König (56) as its new Chairman. Michael König succeeds Dr. Winfried Steeger (70), who, as previously announced, is stepping down upon reaching the retirement age specified in the Supervisory Board’s Rules of Procedure. The Hildesheim District Court had appointed Michael König to the Supervisory Board, effective as of 15 January 2020, following the departure of Dr. Thomas Rabe. In addition, the Annual General Meeting elected Peter Vanacker (54) as a new member of the Supervisory Board.

Michael König, the new Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Symrise AG, said: “On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board I would like to thank Dr. Steeger for his commitment and the trusting working relationship. At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Peter Vanacker to the Supervisory Board. With his many years of management experience both in Germany and internationally, he represents an outstanding addition to our Supervisory Board.”

Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG, added: “Over the past eight years, Dr. Steeger was always available to support the Management Board with his extensive knowledge and expertise. On behalf of the entire company, I would like to express my sincere thanks for the excellent cooperation. At the same time, I look forward to working with Michael König and Peter Vanacker. They have both built impressive track records during their successful careers in different industries. Their strong interest in the long-term development of businesses, with a special focus on innovation and sustainability, will greatly benefit our company.”

Michael König is the CEO of the publicly traded Elkem ASA, a leading global supplier of silicone-based high-performance materials based in Oslo. Prior to this, he spent four years as CEO of China National Bluestar, a supplier of new chemicals and animal nutrition products, and 25 years in various management roles in Germany and China with Bayer AG.

Peter Vanacker is the President and CEO of Neste Corporation, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sustainable product solutions, such as renewable fuels for road and air transportation and renewable hydrocarbons for the chemical industry, headquartered in Finland.

Dr. Winfried Steeger was appointed to the Supervisory Board of Symrise AG in 2012 and served as its Chairman from August 2019 onward.