US: Dep't integration leads to promotions at Coca-Cola Co.

The Coca-Cola Co. has confirmed plans to integrate three of its business functions into one structure, resulting in five internal promotions.

The soft drinks giant announced yesterday (10 June) that the global business services, global information technology and transformational productivity departments will come together and be known as global business and technology services (GBTS).

The newly-formed organisation will "enable the company to deliver global business services such as compensation and benefits administration, accounting and financial reporting, and application development and support - services that are highly dependent on technology and standardised processes - to its business units in a more effective and efficient way," Coca-Cola said.

From 1 July, Harry Anderson, the current vice president and controller, will lead the GBTS and report to Alex Cummings, chief administrative officer, and Gary Fayard, CFO.

The election of Kathy Waller to the position of controller, meanwhile, will be recommended to Coca-Cola's board of directors next month. If approved, Waller, currently vice president and chief of internal audit, would assume the position from 1 August.

The company's management will also recommend at next month's board meeting that Connie McDaniel, the vice president and head of global finance transformation, moves to become chief of internal audit.

Jeremy Faa, currently global director of finance transformation, will expand his responsibilities to include the overall strategic direction and implementation of the global finance transformation.

Finally, Ann Taylor, the vice president and chief financial officer for transformational productivity, will head up global business services, from 1 July, reporting in to Anderson.