New Blood Takes Over as General Manager of Pepsico Southwest Europe

New Blood at the Helm of Pepsico Southwest Europe as Pol Codina Replaces Narcís Roura

Barcelona, ​​June 20, 2023 – Pepsico Southwest Europe, the business unit responsible for managing the sales of the American multinational in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, will see a change in leadership. Pol Codina, a manager from Girona born in 1982, will take over as the new head of general management on July 1, replacing Narcís Roura, who has held the position for the last eight years.

Roura, on the other hand, has been promoted to Pepsico’s European headquarters in Geneva. He will serve as the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Transformation for all Pepsico Europe subsidiaries. With 25 years of experience at the company, Roura will report to the European CEO, Silviu Popovici, and Athina Kanioura, the Global Director of Strategy and Transformation. This move reflects Pepsico’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing growth opportunities within the organization.

Codina, who joined Pepsico almost 20 years ago, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. After a brief stint at Nike, he returned to Pepsico and took over the management of the out-of-home sales channel, which includes sales to the restaurant sector. In 2019, he was promoted to lead the Portuguese subsidiary, where he successfully navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic. In 2022, Codina moved to Geneva to serve as the Vice President Europe for the entire Out-of-Home business. Now, he is returning to Barcelona to assume the direction for the Southwest of Europe, reporting to Popovici.

Expressing his excitement about the new role, Codina said, “It is a great pride for me to be able to lead the southern European unit after almost 20 years in Pepsico. I hope to continue contributing to the success and acceleration of the business through key levers such as our global brands, digitization, and sustainability throughout the value chain, always with people at the center.”

Pepsico, with sales of $86 billion in 2022, operates in more than 200 countries. In 2022, the company decided to establish a digital hub in Barcelona to accelerate its digital transformation. The development center has already incorporated 150 professionals from 30 different nationalities, with plans to employ close to 400 people by 2024. Pepsico aims to achieve gender parity among its workforce by 2025, with a focus on increasing the representation of women in data science and analytics roles.

The appointment of Pol Codina and the promotion of Narcís Roura demonstrate Pepsico’s commitment to fostering talent and driving growth across its European operations. With their leadership, the company is well-positioned to continue its success in the region.

mark kirkham, pepsico

He promotion of Roura reflects his successful tenure in leading Pepsico Southwest Europe to consistent growth and profitability. Under his leadership, the business unit has expanded its market share in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, while also introducing successful marketing campaigns and product innovations.

Taking over the reins from Roura, Codina brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience to the position. Having joined Pepsico in 2010, Codina has held various managerial roles within the company, including the role of Marketing Director of Pepsico Spain. He has successfully led several strategic initiatives, including the launch of new products and the implementation of innovative marketing strategies. Codina’s leadership skills and deep understanding of the market dynamics in the region make him well-suited to drive the continued success of Pepsico Southwest Europe.

In his new role, Codina will be responsible for overseeing the overall strategy and operations of Pepsico Southwest Europe. This includes managing the company’s portfolio of brands, developing new business opportunities, and driving growth across all key markets. Codina’s strategic vision and strong business acumen will be instrumental in navigating the rapidly changing consumer landscape and driving the company’s future success.

Pepsico Southwest Europe remains committed to delivering sustainable growth and driving positive impact in the communities it operates in. The company’s focus on innovation, investments in sustainable packaging, and commitment to supporting local farmers and suppliers will continue under Codina’s leadership. By prioritizing consumer preferences and embracing emerging trends, Pepsico Southwest Europe aims to strengthen its position as a leader in the beverage and snack industry.

With the new blood at the helm, Pepsico Southwest Europe is well-positioned to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Codina’s appointment reflects the company’s commitment to developing and promoting top talent within its ranks. As he assumes his new role, Codina is poised to build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessor and steer the company towards even greater success in the coming years.