In a top-deck reshuffle, PepsiCo India has appointed Praveen Someshwar, currently chief executive of the beverage business, as head of foods, replacing Varun Berry, who quit rather suddenly a few weeks ago. The beverage business will now be headed by Gautham Mukkavilli, currently based in Dubai as senior vice-president, Global Nutrition Group (GNG) for PepsiCo's Asia, Middle East and African (AMEA) regions.
These appointments will be effective June 1, the company said. Someshwar and Mukkavilli will report directly to Manu Anand, chairman, PepsiCo India.
Anand in a statement said, “We are announcing these appointments in order to allow ample time for transition, while ensuring that we remain focused on achieving our 2012 business plans.”
In his new role, Someshwar will be responsible for a portfolio of brands including Kurkure, Lay’s, Uncle Chipps and Quaker along with the snacks business under brand Lehar. He will also lead the India Power of One (PO1) Council with responsibility to drive collaboration across foods & beverages.
Mukkavilli is expected to bring his 20-year-experience to the table, while heading up the business here. The key challenge, say market experts, for PepsiCo will be to maintain its double-digit growth in both foods & beverages.
PepsiCo has also identified low-cost foods as the next growth driver for it. In the beverage space, it has a 50:50 joint venture with Tata Global Beverages, pushing fortified health drinks. This venture called NourishCo is headed by PepsiCo hand Pratik Pota.
