General (retd) V P Malik will guide Coca-Cola India through the most turbulent times since its re-entry into the country in 1993. The former Army chief has been appointed as the chairman of the India Advisory Board (IAB) of the US cola giant.
He succeeds former Cabinet secretary Naresh Chandra, who passed away earlier this year.
The company had earlier indicated that it would reduce focus on its fizz content in order to grow faster in a market where soft drinks with fizz are facing stagnation for the last two-three years.
The fizzy portfolio of the US cola giant includes Coca-Cola and Fanta, which have almost become generic names in aerated drinks.
The IAB guides the Coca-Cola India management on various business, operational and environment-related matters to help formulate short and long-term strategies.
Other members of the board include Deepak Parekh, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and T V Mohandas Pai.