The Coca-Cola Company has appointed the president of its operating unit in Africa to head up its European business.
Luisa Ortega will succeed Nikos Koumettis as president for Europe. Koumettis is retiring next year after a 25-year stint with the soft drinks giant.
Ortega joined Coca-Cola in 2019, initially as general manager of the South Latin business unit. She was later named deputy president and then president of the unit.
In 2021, she became president of Coca-Cola’s newly created central zone of the Latin America operating unit. She began her duties as president of the Africa operating unit in 2023.
In the role she led “a complex business that operates across 54 markets”, said Coca-Cola.
“Luisa has done an outstanding job leading our African business, where our system has continued to make major investments to serve growing markets on the continent,” said Henrique Braun, COO of The Coca-Cola Company. “As head of Europe, she will bring great international experience to one of our biggest and most important operating units.
“Nikos has been a valued colleague for many years, and he has played a vital role in strengthening our European business,” Braun continued. “The operating unit was honoured as the company’s top performer for 2023, which is a testament to the strong work of Nikos and his team.”
Koumettis has headed up operations for The Coca-Cola Company on the continent since the Europe unit was formed in 2021.
He joined Coca-Cola in 2001 and has also served as business unit president for Canada and group president for Europe, Middle East and Africa during two-and-a-half decades with the company.
The appointment comes the same week The Coca-Cola Company reported a 1% uplift in revenues in the three months to 27 June. The increase was driven by price hikes of 6%, with volumes declining by 1% over the quarter.
In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, volumes grew 3% on top of a 3% price hike.
No comments yet