India-born Laxman Narasimhan appointed as new CEO of Starbucks

New Delhi: Laxman Narasimhan, born in India, has been appointed as the new CEO of the famous coffee company ‘Starbucks’. In this regard, Starbucks said that although Laxman Narasimhan joined the company in October 2023, he will take charge of the company in April 2023. Until then, interim ‘CEO’ Howard Salz will lead the company and Laxman Narasimhan will work with him till April 1.

In a letter to employees welcoming Narasimhan, Salz described him as a “strategic and transformational leader with deep experience in building agile consumer brands.” In the US, Starbucks’ strong April-June sales led to demand growth as the Covid-19 crackdown slowed business in China.

Notably, 55-year-old Laxman Narasimhan was the CEO of Reckitt, the maker of Durex Condoms, Enfamil Baby Formula, and Mucinex Cold Syrup. Additionally, he served as Global Chief Commercial Officer at PepsiCo. A graduate of Pune University, Laxman Narasimhan holds a BA in German and International Studies from the Lauder Institute of the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.