The Coca-Cola Company has elevated Atul Singh as the Group President, Asia, effective January 1. About six months ago, Singh was appointed as the Deputy Group President, Pacific. He will now look after operations in 21 countries, which together contribute over 15 per cent of the global volumes of the beverage major.
This appointment comes as the beverage major decided to undergo an organisational restructuring with Pacific Group region being renamed to Asia Pacific, which will now consist of three operating units.
The company said the restructuring was being done keeping in mind the emerging growth potential in the Pacific geography. The Asia business unit will comprise Greater China and Korea BU, India and Southwest Asia business units and Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Other units will be Japan and South Pacific business units.
Ahmet C. Bozer, Executive Vice-President and President, Coca-Cola International, will continue to head the group.
“The formation of the new Asia operating unit will further sharpen the company’s focus on China, India and Indonesia – three critical markets that dominate this part of the world, and play an unparalleled role in achieving the 2020 Vision growth targets,” the company said in a statement. Singh will continue to report to Bozer.
Meanwhile, Venkatesh Kini, who is currently Deputy BU President, India and South West Asia (INSWA), has also been appointed as Business Unit President of INSWA.
Both Kini and Manuel Arroyo, BU President, ASEAN, will report to Singh.
The company said that these changes will not impact the organisation structure at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, the company-owned bottling operations in India.