James Quincey

James Robert B. Quincey, born on 8 January 1965 in London, England, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Coca-Cola Company. He joined Coca-Cola in 1996 after beginning his career at Bain & Co and The Kalchas Group. Quincey holds a degree in electronic engineering from the University of Liverpool and is fluent in both English and Spanish.

During his tenure at Coca-Cola, Quincey has held several leadership positions, including President of the Mexico Division and President of the Northwest Europe & Nordics Business Unit. He played a significant role in the acquisition of Jugos del Valle in Mexico and Innocent Drinks in Europe. In 2015, he became the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Coca-Cola, overseeing a major reorganisation of the company's management structure.

In May 2017, Quincey was appointed CEO, followed by his election as Chairman of the Board in April 2019. His leadership has been marked by significant strategic initiatives, including the diversification of Coca-Cola’s product portfolio and a strong focus on sustainability. One of his key initiatives is the company’s ambitious plan to recycle a bottle for every bottle sold by 2030.

Quincey has also overseen efforts to streamline Coca-Cola’s operations by discontinuing underperforming products such as Tab and Zico coconut water. In 2023, his total compensation amounted to $24.7 million, reflecting his pivotal role in driving the company’s continued success.

Apart from Coca-Cola, Quincey is a director of Pfizer Inc and a board member of The Consumer Goods Forum. He is also a founding member of the New York Stock Exchange Board Advisory Council.

James Robert B. Quincey, born on 8 January 1965 in London, England, is a prominent British-American businessman and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Coca-Cola Company. His early years were marked by international exposure, as his family relocated to Hanover, New Hampshire, when his father took up a position as a biochemistry lecturer at Dartmouth College. By the age of five, Quincey had moved back to the UK, where he grew up in Birmingham and attended King Edward's School. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from the University of Liverpool, a foundation that would serve him well in his business career. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Quincey’s global perspective and bilingualism have been crucial to his leadership roles at Coca-Cola.

Quincey began his professional journey at Bain & Co, a global management consultancy, before moving to The Kalchas Group, a consultancy firm spun off from Bain & Co and McKinsey. His extensive experience in strategy consulting laid the groundwork for his entry into The Coca-Cola Company in 1996, where he initially served as the Director of Learning Strategy for the Latin America Group. Over the years, he assumed a variety of leadership positions in the company, including roles in Latin America and Europe. He was President of Coca-Cola’s South Latin division from 2003 to 2005, and President of the Mexico division from 2005 to 2008, where he led the acquisition of Jugos del Valle, a significant move that expanded Coca-Cola’s portfolio in the region.

From 2008 to 2012, Quincey headed the Northwest Europe & Nordics Business Unit, overseeing operations in key European markets. During his tenure, he played an instrumental role in the acquisition of Innocent Drinks in 2009, enhancing Coca-Cola’s presence in the health and wellness segment. He then became President of Coca-Cola’s Europe Group from 2013 to 2015, where he guided the strategic sale and consolidation of the company’s bottling operations, forming Coca-Cola European Partners, one of the world’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottlers.

In August 2015, Quincey was appointed as Coca-Cola’s President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, he oversaw the reorganisation of the company’s management structure and introduced a strategy of dividing Coca-Cola’s brands into five category clusters. His forward-thinking approach helped streamline operations and positioned the company for future growth.

Quincey’s leadership was recognised when he was named CEO of Coca-Cola in December 2016, officially assuming the role in May 2017 after the retirement of his predecessor, Muhtar Kent. As CEO, Quincey was tasked with driving growth in a rapidly evolving beverage industry. One of his early initiatives involved reducing 1,200 corporate positions to fund investments in new products and marketing, aiming to achieve revenue and profit growth of four to six percent annually.

Under Quincey’s leadership, Coca-Cola has pursued diversification, expanding beyond traditional soft drinks to focus on new categories such as sparkling water, coffee, and plant-based beverages. He has also been a strong advocate for sustainability, launching an ambitious plan in 2018 to recycle a bottle for every bottle sold by 2030, addressing the global plastic waste crisis.

In April 2019, Quincey was elected Chairman of the Board of Coca-Cola, further solidifying his influence within the company. His leadership has also included the discontinuation of slower-selling products, such as Tab and Zico coconut water, in response to shifting consumer preferences.

In 2023, Quincey’s total compensation from Coca-Cola was reported at $24.7 million, a reflection of his key role in the company’s success. Outside of Coca-Cola, Quincey serves as a director of Pfizer Inc and is a board member of The Consumer Goods Forum. He is also a founding member of the New York Stock Exchange Board Advisory Council.

James Quincey’s leadership has been characterised by a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and growth, ensuring Coca-Cola’s continued relevance in a competitive global market. His strategic vision has helped reshape the company, positioning it as a leader in the beverage industry for the future.

James Quincey envisions The Coca-Cola Company as a total beverage company, striving to offer a diverse range of products that cater to evolving consumer preferences. He aims to lead Coca-Cola through innovation and sustainability, focusing on expanding the company’s portfolio beyond traditional soft drinks. His commitment to reducing environmental impact is evident in initiatives like the plan to recycle a bottle for every bottle sold by 2030. Quincey’s vision also includes fostering a risk-tolerant culture within the company, encouraging investments in startups and new products that align with modern consumer trends.