Brands
Henrique Braun gets promoted to EVP & COO at The Coca-Cola Co
MUMBAI: Come the new year and Henrique Braun will be carrying a new designation at The Coca-Cola Co. Last week, he was named executive vice-president & chief operating officer. In his expanded role, Braun will be responsible for all of the company’s operating units worldwide. He will report to chairman & CEO James Quincey.
Braun currently serves as EVP & president, international development, overseeing the company’s operating units for Latin America; Japan & South Korea; Asean & south Pacific; Greater China and Mongolia; Africa; India & southwest Asia; and Eurasia and Middle East.
As COO, Braun will add oversight of the north America and Europe operating units.
“Henrique has built an impressive track record of driving our growth strategy along with numerous operational accomplishments, all while keeping the consumer as the center of decisions,” Quincey said. “He has proven to be a trusted, strategic leader with a reputation for developing talent and delivering results.”
Prior to his current role, Braun served as president of the Latin America operating unit from 2020 to 2022 and as president of the Brazil business unit from 2016 to 2020. From 2013 to 2016, he was president of the company’s Greater China & Korea business unit.
Braun, 56, joined The Coca-Cola Co in 1996 in Atlanta and progressed through roles of increasing responsibilities in north America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Those positions included supply chain, new business development, marketing, innovation, general management and bottling operations. Braun has served in regional, business unit and corporate functions.
“I am energised and honored to take on this broader role and look forward to partnering with James, our executive leadership team, bottling partners and associates to deliver on our total beverage strategy and drive growth across the company and our system worldwide,” Braun said.
The following leaders will report to Braun:
Selman Careaga, president, ASEAN & South Pacific operating unit;
Nikos Koumettis, president, Europe operating unit;
Gilles Leclerc, president, Greater China and Mongolia operating unit;
Jennifer Mann, EVP and president, North America operating unit;
Luisa Ortega, president, Africa operating unit;
Murat Ozgel, president, Japan & South Korea operating unit;
Bruno Pietracci, president, Latin America operating unit;
Sanket Ray, president, India & Southwest Asia operating unit;
Sedef Salingan Sahin, president, Eurasia and Middle East operating unit.
Braun holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from the University Federal of Rio de Janeiro, a master’s of science degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Georgia State University.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
