Beverage giant Coca Cola's president for India and Southwest Asia Business Unit, Venkatesh Kini, has decided to leave the company and return to the United States to pursue other opportunities outside the Coca-Cola system, announced the company on Thursday morning.
While his exit becomes effective starting May 1, Venkatesh will remain with the company until the end of July to ensure a smooth transition with his successor, company said. Venkatesh has capably served the company for 19 years.
T. "KK" Krishnakumar, who currently serves as CEO and South West Asia Regional Director of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, will replace Venkatesh as president of the company's India and South West Asia Business Unit. KK joined the Coca-Cola system in 2004, and has advanced through a series of leadership roles including region manager and regional vice president, company claims.
In turn, Vamsi Mohan, who currently serves as Bottling Investments Group (BIG)'s region director for Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia, will in turn replace KK as South West Asia Regional Director for Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd.
In bringing this new structure to life, Coca Cola has announced that the following senior leadership appointments in the India and South West Asia Business Unit of The Coca-Cola Company, and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. "Over the past four years, Venkatesh has had a significant impact on the growth and success of our business in this very important market, and laid the foundation for a winning team that will enable us to continue capturing the great opportunities that remain ahead", said John Murphy, president of the Asia Pacific Group, The Coca-Cola Company.
"As outlined by our President and Chief Operating Officer James Quincey a few weeks ago, The Coca-Cola Company is designing a new Operating Model to support the next stage of our transformation into a growth-oriented, consumer-centred, total beverage company," said Murphy. "KK is uniquely qualified for this role, having successfully led BIG's operations in India and South West Asia since 2009. He is a strategic, well-rounded leader, and has been a catalyst for expanding our portfolio and driving growth in every position he has previously held."
India is the 6th largest market for The Coca-Cola Company in terms of volume. The Coca-Cola system operates approximately 60 factories, directly employs 25,000 people and sells our products through over 2.6 million retailers.
