Muhtar Kent to succeed Neville Isdell as CEO at Coca-Cola

06 December 2007

The Coca-Cola Company today announced  that president and chief operating officer Muhtar Kent will succeed Neville Isdell as chief executive officer as of July 1, 2008. Isdell will remain chairman of the board of directors until the shareowners annual meeting in April 2009.

"The Coca-Cola Company is an enterprise of sustained, long-term growth. Diligent, detailed succession planning is a vital part of that growth plan. This next management step, which draws on the successful partnership between Muhtar and me, ensures that we will continue to grow and enhance Coca-Cola''s business around the world," said Isdell. "I have been engaged with the management development committee and the full board in succession discussions and planning since my return in June 2004. We are very certain that Muhtar is prepared for this next transition in management responsibilities and is the absolute right person to take our Company to the next level of performance.

"Having worked closely with Muhtar for nearly 20 years, I know that his combination of industry knowledge, passion for operational excellence, strategic vision and high level of interpersonal skills is the ideal blend to take our company forward,“ Isdell added. "Muhtar is an outstanding example of the deep, talented group of individuals who populate our global system. With the organisation stabilised and sustainable growth clearly evident, I expect Muhtar to be outstanding as the leader of the committed team that developed and is now executing our Manifesto -- our 10-year strategic growth plan."

James D. Robinson III, chairman of the committee on directors and corporate governance, said, "The Board is pleased to have an individual of Muhtar Kent's experience, vision and dedication to the business as the next chief executive officer of the Company. Today's announcement signals a seamless transition from the remarkable leadership provided by Neville Isdell to an exceptional future under Muhtar's highly professional guidance and direction. In addition, the Company will have the benefit of Neville's continued participation as chairman until the 2009 shareowners meeting.“

Kent returned to The Coca-Cola Company in May 2005 as president of the North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East Group. He was named president of Coca-Cola International in January 2006 and appointed president and chief operating officer of the company in December 2006. As COO, he has overseen a number of significant initiatives, including the acquisition of Glacéau earlier this year, while year-to-date the company has delivered strong volume and double-digit earnings growth.

Kent first joined The Coca-Cola Company in 1978 and held a variety of marketing and operational roles leading to his appointment as president of the East Central European Division in 1989. Kent held this position until 1995, overseeing 23 countries where, working closely with Isdell, he supervised the relaunch of Coca-Cola throughout East Central Europe in record time and quickly achieved market leadership in that geography, which the Company maintains to this day.