Muhtar Kent rises on the corporate ladder

Kent, a long-time Coca-Cola veteran, who joined the company in 1978, most recently served as president of Coca-Cola International, a position he has held since January 2006.

In his new position, Kent will oversee all of the company’s worldwide operating units and will report to Chairman and Chief Executive, Neville Isdell.

Market observers believe that Kent is now the most likely successor to the throne of Isdell.

Steve Heyer, former President and COO, left the company in September 2004 after he was passed over in favour of Isdell for Coca-Cola’s top position, and the position had remained unfilled since then.

Kent’ career at Coca-Cola took a beating in the mid-1990s, when he had to resign as Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil Europe, following a scandal over insider trading. He then joined Turkish brewer Efes which he turned round to become an international brewer whose regional spread reaches from the Adriatic Sea to China.