Indra K Nooyi has announced her decision to step down as the chief executive officer of PepsiCo after 12 years at the helm. She will be replaced by Ramon Laguarta.  

 

PepsiCo said Nooyi, 62, will step down on October 3 after 24 years with the company. She will remain chairman until early 2019 to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. Laguarta, 54, was also elected to the company's board of directors, effective October 3.

 

"Leading PepsiCo has truly been the honour of my lifetime, and I'm incredibly proud of all we have done over the past 12 years to advance the interests not only of shareholders, but all our stakeholders in the communities we serve," said Nooyi. 

 

"Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company. Guided by our philosophy of Performance with Purpose—delivering sustained performance while making more nutritious products, limiting our environmental footprint and lifting up all the communities we serve—we've made a more meaningful impact in people's lives than I ever dreamed possible.  PepsiCo today is in a strong position for continued growth with its brightest days still ahead."

 

Nooyi continued: "Ramon Laguarta is exactly the right person to build on our success. He is a terrific executive with a long and proven track record of growing businesses. He has a deep understanding of the changing preferences of consumers and other critical trends unfolding around the world, and he has demonstrated that he knows how to navigate them successfully. Ramon has been a critical partner in running the company, and I'm confident he will take PepsiCo to new and greater heights in the years to come."

 

In closing, Nooyi said: "Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. This company has been my life for nearly a quarter century and part of my heart will always remain here. But I am proud of all we've done to position PepsiCo for success, confident that Ramon and his senior leadership team will continue prudently balancing short-term and long-term priorities, and excited for all the great things that are in store for this company. PepsiCo's best days are still ahead of it."

 

Speaking on behalf of PepsiCo's board of directors, presiding director Ian Cook said: "As Chairman and CEO, Indra has provided outstanding leadership over the past 12 years, serving as a model both within our industry and beyond for responsible corporate stewardship in the 21st century.

 

"She has delivered strong and consistent financial performance, managing with an eye toward not only the short-run, but the long-run as well. As CEO, she grew revenue more than 80%, outperforming our peers and adding a new billion-dollar brand almost every other year. And shareholders have benefited: $1,000 invested in PepsiCo in 2006 is worth more than two-and-a-half times that amount today.

 

"At the same time, Indra has invested for the future, leading the way on corporate sustainability and responsibility, and embedding a sense of purpose in everything the company does. As one of the first Fortune 100 CEOs to embed sustainability targets into business operations, Indra was a pioneer, paving the way for a new generation of business leaders who seek to 'do well by doing good.' Under her leadership, PepsiCo grew its portfolio of Good for You and Better for You options from about 38% of revenue in 2006 to roughly 50% in 2017, almost tripled its investments in research and development to expand its more nutritious offerings and minimize its environmental impact, and achieved global recognition for the company's work in communities around the world. 

 

"Indra has also, selflessly, served as a mentor for associates up and down the organization, building close relationships with leaders in every one of PepsiCo's key markets, championing diversity and adhering to the highest standards of corporate ethics, earning PepsiCo a place on Ethisphere's list of the World's Most Ethical Companies every year since the list was established 12 years ago.

 

"Thanks to her leadership, PepsiCo is well positioned for ongoing success as Ramon assumes this new role. He is a seasoned leader with deep experience in international markets, and the board is confident that he is the right person to usher in this next chapter of growth for PepsiCo."

 

Commenting on his appointment, Laguarta said: "I'm incredibly humbled and privileged to be appointed the next CEO of PepsiCo, and I want to thank the board of directors for the confidence they have placed in me with their decision.

 

"I also want to thank Indra for her overwhelming support. She has transformed the company with her bold vision and outstanding leadership, and I feel fortunate to have her as a mentor and a friend. And of course, I want to thank all of my colleagues, as well as the customers, bottlers, partners, and investors who are part of the PepsiCo family. I look forward to working more closely with all of you in the months and years ahead, and to continue growing this special company long into the future."

 

Laguarta will become the sixth CEO in PepsiCo's 53-year history. All have been appointed from within the organization, a testament to PepsiCo's strong bench of talent and succession planning.

 

Laguarta has held a number of executive and general management roles in his 22 years at PepsiCo. Since September 2017, Laguarta has served as president of PepsiCo, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Previously, Laguarta served as chief executive officer, Europe Sub-Saharan Africa, one of PepsiCo's most complex businesses with operations spanning three continents and comprised developed, developing and emerging markets. Prior to that, he served as president, PepsiCo Eastern Europe region and served in a variety of sales, marketing and other commercial roles across Europe.

 

Prior to PepsiCo, Laguarta worked for Chupa Chups, a leading confectionery company based in Spain, where he held a number of international roles in Europe and the US. Laguarta holds an MBA from ESADE Business School in Spain and a Master's in International Management (M&M) from Thunderbird School of Global Management in the US.  - TradeArabia News Service