During one of the most important events of the ESADE Alumni year, the 24th Annual Conference held today at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in Barcelona, James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, received the ESADE award in recognition of his business leadership and his commitment to innovation at Coca-Cola, both in diversifying the business to introduce new products, as well as to reducing sugar across the company’s portfolio of drinks.

When presented with the ESADE award by Maite Barrera, president of ESADE Alumni, James Quincey said, “It is a great honour to receive this recognition from ESADE. I am proud to serve a great Company and this award reflects the collective efforts of all the individuals that make Coca-Cola the extraordinary and diverse business that it is today”.

The ESADE Alumni award is presented to persons whose track record, business or services rendered are characterised by the same values as those on which ESADE was founded, and who foster such values. In this respect, James Quincey’s leadership at the helm of this global beverage giant clearly conveys his commitment to doing business in a way that is responsible and sustainable. 

The award giving was followed by an interview by Sol Daurella, ESADE alumni and president of Coca Cola European Partners, in which James Quincey emphasised that “As we continue our journey to becoming a total beverage company, I am proud that our business in Spain is evolving strongly, combining our well-loved heritage brands with innovative and great-tasting new drinks to meet emerging consumer trends. We are committed to continuing investment in Spain: continuing to grow our portfolio responsibly; contributing to the economic and social development of the country and its communities; and redoubling our efforts for a sustainable environment.”

ESADE Award

Winners of this award in previous years include Pablo Isla, Inditex CEO; Mikael Ohlsson, Ikea CEO; Carlos Slim, Inbursa CEO; Indra K. Nooyi, President and CEO of PepsiCo; Paul Polman, Unilever CEO; Hiroshi Mikitani, founder, president and CEO of Rakuten, Inc.; and Enrique Lores, president of HP Imaging, Printing and Solutions.