Manu Anand, the India head for Pepsico has quit. Manu’s exit was announced yesterday, and an internal communication to the effect has been released by the company. Manu has been with PepsiCo for last 19 years and has handled key roles across India & South Asia.
In an internal statement it has been said that – With Manu’s departure and until a new president is announced, Gautham Mukkavilli, senior V-P and GM, beverages and Praveen Someshwar, senior VP and GM, foods, will report directly Saad Abdul-Latif, CEO of PepsiCo Asia, Middle-East & Africa (AMEA). In addition, all functional leaders will report directly to their functional counterparts at the AMEA sector headquarters in Dubai. The NourishCo joint venture with Tata Global Beverages will continue to report to the board of the joint venture.
The news of his exit is seen by many as a sudden move, and may possibly be a fallout triggered by the management considering some not so well received business decisions.
Manu had started his career in Finance after completing his Chartered Accountancy, and in PepsiCo he moved on to key business roles. Manu, is a science graduate from St. Stephen’s College, and has attended an AMP from University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School.