Laxman Narsimhan Becomes the CEO of Starbucks Making Indians Proud

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Coffee giant Starbucks named Indian origin Laxman Narasimhan as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Prior to Starbucks, Laxman Narasimhan served as the CEO of Reckitt. Reckitt is a manufacturer that makes a variety of products, chief among them being Durex condoms, Enfamil baby formula and Mucinex cold syrup. Laxman Narasimhan also worked as global chief commercial officer at PepsiCo. The 55-year-old will be filling in the shoes of Howard Schultz, the previous CEO of Starbucks.

As per Starbucks statement, Laxman Narasimhan will join the company on October 1 but will take the helm in April 2023. During this period, Howard Schultz, the interim CEO, will continue to lead the company and Laxman Narasimhan will work closely with Howard Schultz through April 1.

In April-June, Starbucks reported a whooping demand due to strong sales in the United States, whereas in China, the case was opposite as Covid restrictions slowed down the business considerably.

Schultz praised Laxman Narasimhan in a letter to employees welcoming Narasimhan. “He is a strategic and transformational leader with deep experience in building powerful consumer brands,” Schultz said.

Schultz’s praise for Laxman Narasimhan is well deserved, especially when one looks at the impressive background of the new CEO. Laxman Narasimhan is a graduate from the University of Pune after which he completed his master’s degree in German and international studies from the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has a master’s in business administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

In September 2019 he joined Reckitt. He steered the company through the tough times of the Covid-19 pandemic, and was responsible for the boost in sales of its health and hygiene products. He also served as global chief commercial officer at PepsiCo and also looked after the operations in Latin America, Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Narasimhan has also served as a senior partner at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company where his main focus was on its consumer, retail and technology practices in the U.S, Asia and India.

Reckitt’s shares fell by 4 percent on Thursday when the announcement of Laxman Narasimhan stepping down was made.