Major Leadership Change at HCCB
On July 15, 2025, Hindustan Coca‑Cola Beverages (HCCB)—India’s largest Coca‑Cola bottler—named Hemant Rupani as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective September 8. He succeeds Juan Pablo Rodriguez, who is transitioning to a new role within the Coca‑Cola system 1.
Who Is Hemant Rupani?
Rupani is a seasoned FMCG and consumer-goods executive. He spent nine years at Mondelez International, serving most recently as President for Southeast Asia, overseeing countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines 2.
His prior roles include:
- Sales Director for India at Mondelez (joined in 2016)
- VP & MD for Vietnam
- Stints with PepsiCo, Vodafone, Britannia Industries, Infosys, and ICI India dating back to 1997 3.
Educational Background
Rupani holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Regional Engineering College, Jaipur (now MNIT), and an MBA in Marketing from FMS, University of Delhi 4.
Strategic Context: Stake Sale & Investment
This leadership change follows The Coca‑Cola Company’s announcement of a ₹12,500 crore deal with Jubilant Bhartia Group in December 2024, where the latter acquired a 40% stake in HCCB’s parent company 5. The move underscores HCCB’s strengthened focus on expanding its market presence in India.
What Lies Ahead for HCCB
Reporting to HCCB’s board, Rupani is expected to leverage his international FMCG experience to:
- Drive commercial growth
- Maximize returns from recent investments
- Bridge global and local market strategies
- Accelerate HCCB’s role in India’s beverage sector expansion 6.
Trivia & Quiz Nuggets
Q: When does Hemant Rupani officially become CEO of HCCB?
A: September 8, 2025.
Q: Which outgoing CEO is he replacing?
A: Juan Pablo Rodriguez.
Q: Which company did Rupani serve in Southeast Asia?
A: Mondelez International.
Q: What educational qualifications does Rupani hold?
A: B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering (Jaipur) and MBA in Marketing (FMS Delhi).
Source: The Economic Times