US: Coca-Cola CEO takes no leave - report

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 14 September 2007

Coca-Cola's CEO has suggested that he will continue to lead the soft drinks company after he turns 65 next year, according to reports.

In a report in the Financial Times today (14 September), Neville Isdell was cited as saying: "There is no set date (for retiring). I don't think age is a factor. Look at the age of the people who are running today for president.

"There's a new era here," he told the paper. "The 65 age thing is out of date."

Isdell replaced Doug Daft as CEO in May 2004, having joined the Coca-Cola system in 1966. He left the company in 1998 to serve as chairman of Coca-Cola Beverages, a company that went public the same year. In 2000, he negotiated a merger with Hellenic Bottling Company to form Coca-Cola HBC and became its chief executive officer. He left CCHBC at the end of 2001.

Sectors: Soft drinks, Water

Companies: Coca-Cola HBC