Coca-Cola appoints Luisa Ortega as Europe Unit President 

EUROPE – The Coca-Cola Company has announced that Luisa Ortega will assume the role of President of its Europe operating unit, effective September 1.  

Ortega will succeed Nikos Koumettis, who will retire in early 2026 after a 25-year tenure with the beverage giant. 

Koumettis, who has led the Europe operating unit since its formation in 2021, will remain with the company as a senior advisor until February 28, 2026.  

He will also continue contributing as a board member of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd., a company-owned bottler based in India. 

Ortega, who currently leads Coca-Cola’s Africa operating unit, has been with the company since 2019. In her current role, she oversees operations across 54 markets on the continent. She brings extensive international experience, having previously held various leadership roles at SC Johnson over a 14-year period in Europe, the U.S., and Asia Pacific.  

Her roles there included General Manager for Western Europe and Global Head of the Insecticides Business. She also has experience in the energy sector, having worked at Endesa, a Spanish utility company. 

Henrique Braun, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Coca-Cola, praised Ortega’s leadership in Africa, highlighting the company’s continued investments in the region.  

“As head of Europe, she will bring great international experience to one of our biggest and most important operating units,” Braun stated. 

Braun also expressed gratitude to Koumettis for his years of service. “Nikos has been a valued colleague and has played a vital role in strengthening our European business,” Braun said.  

He noted that under Koumettis’ leadership, the Europe unit was recognized as Coca-Cola’s top-performing division in 2023. 

Ortega will continue reporting to Braun in her new role. Her successor in Africa has not yet been named. 

New cane sugar product for U.S. market 

In addition to the leadership change, Coca-Cola has announced plans to launch a new product made with U.S. cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup this fall. 

According to the company’s Q2 2025 results report, the new product will broaden the company’s offerings and cater to evolving consumer preferences. 

The company stated that this move aligns with its ongoing efforts to expand choice for U.S. consumers. Coca-Cola is already produced with cane sugar in several international markets, including the U.K., Mexico, and China. 

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