Henrique Braun to Succeed James Quincey as CEO of The Coca-Cola Company in 2026

The Coca-Cola Company has announced a major leadership transition. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Henrique Braun will take over as CEO on March 31, 2026, succeeding James Quincey after his nine-year tenure at the top. Braun, who is 57, will also be nominated for a seat on the company’s board at the 2026 annual meeting.Quincey, 60, is stepping down from the CEO role but won’t be stepping away from the company. He will transition into the position of Executive Chairman, continuing to stay deeply involved in steering Coca-Cola’s long-term direction.

Company leaders expressed confidence in the transition. Coca-Cola’s lead independent director David Weinberg described Quincey as “a transformative leader” who strengthened the company’s global standing. He added that the board is equally optimistic about Braun’s appointment, noting that he is expected to “build on the company’s strong foundation, drive new growth opportunities and further strengthen the Coca-Cola system.”

The leadership shift marks a new phase for Coca-Cola as it looks to balance continuity with fresh momentum at a time of evolving global markets.