Starbucks welcomes new CEO
Laxman Narasimhan has assumed the role of CEO of Starbucks, having been named as the successor to founder and former CEO Howard Schultz in September.
Narasimhan joined the company as incoming CEO in October, and has since been on ‘a unique immersion experience’ across stores, manufacturing plants and support centers around the world – earning his barista certification on the way.
Narasimhan has nearly 30 years of experience leading global consumer goods businesses and advising retail, grocery, restaurant and e-commerce companies. Prior to Starbucks, he served as chief executive officer of Reckitt, a multinational consumer health, hygiene and nutrition company. His experience also includes as an executive in various leadership roles at PepsiCo, including as global chief commercial officer, where he was responsible for the company’s long-term growth strategy and commercial capabilities. He also served as CEO of the company’s Latin America, Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa operations, where he ran the company’s food and beverage businesses across over 100 countries. He also spent time as CEO of PepsiCo Latin America and as the CFO of PepsiCo Americas Foods.
Prior to PepsiCo, he spent 19 years at McKinsey & Company, where he advised companies across the retail, consumer goods, and healthcare industries in the U.S., Asia, and India.
