PepsiCo has formally elected its sixth CEO in its 53-year history. Like all the past CEO's Ramon Laguarta also comes from within the organisation.
The 54-year executive has so far spent 22 years with PepsiCo and has worked in different executive and general management roles. More recently in September last year, he was elevated as President. Since then he has been overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, and public policy and government affairs.
Previously, Laguarta served as CEO, Europe Sub-Saharan Africa, one of PepsiCo's most complex businesses with operations spanning three continents and comprised of 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, S.A., a leading confectionery company based in Spain, where he held a number of international roles in Europe and the U.S.
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 U.S. A Barcelona native, he speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German and Greek.
According to the company insider, Laguarta has an in-depth understanding of consumer preference, one of the key components needed for the success of a beverage company.
“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, said outgoing CEO Indra Nooyi.
She added: “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.”
