George Kovoor Likely To Become Pepsico India President

PepsiCo India is poised to name George Kovoor, one of its most senior executives, as president. Ahmed ElSheikh, the current president, is anticipated to move to a worldwide post at the American food and beverage business early in 2024, according to sources that spoke to ET.

"The leadership change is on the cards and likely to be announced in the coming months. It is just a matter of time," one of the executives told ET on the condition of anonymity.

Kovoor has been the general manager of beverages at PepsiCo and senior vice-president since January 2022. He has worked in a variety of top operational positions in Asia-Pacific, China, and New York over the past three decades, for the company that produces Tropicana juices, Lays snacks, Pepsi and Mountain Dew carbonated beverages, and Doritos tortilla chips.

After eighteen years, he returned to India, and he is in charge of formulating the company's long-term sustainability plan for the India division.

Kovoor was senior vice-president, International Away From Home, at PepsiCo's global headquarters in New York before assuming this position.

ElSheikh, an Egyptian national, has been in charge of the India division since 2017. He is PepsiCo India's first foreign-born leader.

"Kovoor has been identified for the role to succeed ElSheikh, who is expected to move to a global role, and comes at a time when soft drinks and packaged foods are becoming an intensely competitive businesses," said another executive who spoke to ET.

PepsiCo announced that its revenue for the fiscal year ending in March 2023 reached Rs 8,128 crore, showing a 29 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The company's packaged foods and beverages divisions experienced significant growth, with double-digit increases across various product categories.