Top 10: CEOs in Beverages

CEOs of beverage companies are steering their organisations through a dynamic global landscape, responding to changing consumer tastes, sustainability imperatives and increasingly complex international markets.

From portfolio expansion and product innovation to digitalisation and responsible sourcing, leadership in the beverage sector now demands both operational rigour and long-term vision.

The most effective CEOs combine commercial acumen with purpose-driven strategies, driving growth while promoting health, social impact and environmental stewardship.

As competition intensifies across categories from coffee and soft drinks to beer and spirits, strategic clarity and execution have never been more critical.

Food & Drink Digital ranks the top beverage CEOs, based on their company's revenue, shaping the future of the global beverage industry through innovation, resilience and responsible leadership.

10. Atsushi Katsuki

Company: Asahi

Chairman since: 2025

Revenue: US$18.5bn

Atsushi Katsuki is a top beverage CEO due to his deep industry experience and steady rise through leadership roles.

Starting at Nikka Whisky and advancing through finance, international operations and executive management, he combines strategic and financial expertise.

As CFO and later CEO of Asahi Group Holdings, he has driven global expansion and portfolio growth.

His long tenure reflects strong leadership, continuity and the ability to navigate complex global markets while strengthening the company’s competitive position.

9. Sir Dave Lewis

Company: Diageo

CEO since: 2026

Revenue: US$20.3bn

Sir Dave Lewis is a key beverage CEO due to his proven leadership across global consumer brands.

As CEO of Diageo, he brings extensive experience from Tesco and Unilever, where he led large-scale transformations and international operations.

His strategic vision, combined with governance roles at PepsiCo and leadership in sustainability organisations, demonstrates strong commercial acumen, global perspective and the ability to drive growth, innovation and responsible business practices in competitive markets.

8. Makiko Ono

Company: Suntory Holdings

CEO since: 2023

Revenue: US$21.55bn

Makiko Ono stands out as a leading figure in the beverage industry due to her extensive operational and executive experience.

Rising through global and regional roles at Suntory Beverage & Food, including COO, Global CHRO and President of the France division, she demonstrates expertise in strategy, human resources and sustainability.

As President and CEO, she combines international insight, organisational leadership and a commitment to responsible business, positioning the company for growth, innovation and resilience in dynamic global markets.

7. Dolf van den Brink

Company: Heineken N.V

CEO since: 2020

Revenue: US$33bn

Dolf van den Brink has shaped a remarkable 25-year career at Heineken, leading operations across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia Pacific.

As CEO and Chairman since 2020, he has driven global growth, operational excellence and talent development while navigating diverse markets.

From turning around Heineken USA to leading Asia Pacific operations, his leadership blends strategic vision with cultural insight.

He will be leaving his role on 31 May 2026, marking the end of a transformative era.

6. Brian Niccol

Company: Starbucks

CEO since: ​​​​​​​2024

Revenue: US$37.2bn

Brian Niccol is a distinguished leader in the global food and beverage industry, recognised for driving growth, innovation and customer connection.

As Chairman and CEO of Starbucks since 2024, he leverages more than 25 years of experience at Chipotle, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Procter & Gamble.

Known for his people-first approach, he excels at building strong cultures, pioneering digital and menu innovations and expanding brands internationally, making Starbucks not just a coffee company, but a global hub for community and engagement.

5. Jose Antonio Fernández Garza-Lagüera

Company: Fomento Económico Mexicano (FEMSA)

CEO since: 2025

Revenue: ~ US$44.4bn

José Antonio Fernández Garza-Lagüera is a visionary leader driving growth, innovation and transformation across FEMSA.

Since becoming CEO in 2025, he has leveraged decades of experience in retail, beverages, plastics and digital ventures to expand operations globally, integrate business units and modernise digital services like Spin and OXXO Pay.

Known for talent development and strategic execution, he has doubled business values, led major acquisitions and built high-performing, diverse teams, cementing FEMSA’s position as a leader in retail, health and mobility.

4. James Quincey

Company: The Coca-Cola Company

CEO since: 2017

Revenue: US$47.9bn

James Quincey is a seasoned global leader who has guided The Coca‑Cola Company since 2017 as CEO and since 2019 as Chairman.

With a career spanning Latin America, Europe and North America, he has driven Coca‑Cola’s evolution into a total beverage company, expanding brand portfolios, leading major acquisitions like innocent juice and Jugos del Valle and improving market share worldwide.

Known for long-term strategic vision and operational excellence, James champions sustainable growth, innovation and shared value for communities, employees and shareholders.

3. Michel Doukeris

Company: AB InBev

CEO since: 2021

Revenue: US$59.3bn

Michel Doukeris has led AB InBev as CEO since July 2021, bringing more than 25 years of experience across Latin America, Asia and North America.

A Brazilian national with a degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s in Marketing, he also studied at Kellogg and Wharton.

Michel advanced through commercial and leadership roles, including President of China and Asia Pacific, Global Chief Sales Officer and President of North America at Anheuser-Busch.

Known for his strategic vision and operational expertise, he drives growth, innovation and global expansion, strengthening AB InBev’s position as a leading beverage company worldwide.

2. Ramon Laguarta

Company: PepsiCo

CEO since: 2018

Revenue: US$93.93bn

Ramon L. Laguarta is a visionary global leader guiding PepsiCo as CEO since 2018 and Chairman since 2019.

With a career spanning five continents, he has transformed PepsiCo through the pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) framework, integrating sustainability, portfolio transformation, international expansion and innovation into the company’s growth strategy.

Previously, he led Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa operations, oversaw global strategy as President and gained extensive international experience at Chupa Chups.

Ramon emphasises operational excellence, digital innovation and a consumer-centric culture while fostering talent and agile execution.

Under his leadership, PepsiCo has evolved into a more agile, efficient and health-conscious organisation, delivering iconic brands across 23 billion-dollar-plus labels, expanding developing markets and creating positive impact for communities, employees and the planet, while maintaining a strong focus on ethics and long-term value creation.

1. Philipp Navratil

Company: Nestlé

CEO since: 2025

Revenue: US$113bn

Philipp Navratil is the Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé S.A. since September 2025, bringing more than two decades of global experience.

Joining Nestlé in 2001 as an international auditor, he progressed through sales, marketing and country leadership roles in Central America and Mexico, consistently driving growth, market share and operational efficiency.

He later led Nestlé’s Coffee Strategic Business Unit, shaping global strategy for Nescafé and Starbucks brands and became CEO of Nespresso in 2024.

Known for a collaborative and inclusive leadership style, Philipp inspires high-performance teams while fostering innovation and customer-centric strategies.

With deep market insights and international exposure across Latin America and Europe, he continues to evolve Nestlé in competitive markets, prioritising sustainable growth, operational excellence and the development of a motivated, diverse workforce, strengthening the company’s position as a global leader in food and beverages.