Laxman Narasimhan is a trusted leader who brings nearly 30 years of experience leading and advising global consumer-facing brands. Known for his considerable operational and transformational expertise, he has a proven track record in developing and growing purpose-led brands.
Building on the rich and complex histories of storied companies like PepsiCo, he has succeeded in rallying talent to deliver on future ambitions by driving consumer-centric and digital innovations. Most recently, he served as chief executive officer of Reckitt, a multinational consumer health, hygiene and nutrition company, where he led the company through a major transformation and a return to sustainable growth.
At Reckitt, Laxman reinvigorated the company’s ownership culture to better deliver on its purpose to protect, heal, and nurture in the pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. Additionally, he guided the company’s efforts to drive better health and hygiene behavior in communities globally, and to enhance the sustainability of its operations.
Previously, Laxman served as an executive in various leadership roles at PepsiCo, including as global chief commercial officer, where he was responsible for the company’s long-term growth strategy and commercial capabilities. He also served as ceo of the company’s Latin America, Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa operations, where he ran the company’s food and beverage businesses across over 100 countries. He also spent time as ceo of PepsiCo Latin America and as the cfo of PepsiCo Americas Foods.
Prior to PepsiCo, he spent 19 years at McKinsey & Company, where he advised retail, healthcare, and consumer goods companies in the U.S., Asia and India and led the firm’s thinking on the future of retail.
Laxman speaks six languages and has experience working globally across the private sector, public sector and social sector. He is a trustee of the Brookings Institution, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a member of the UK Prime Minister’s Build Back Better Council and a member of Verizon’s Board of Directors.
He and his family have lived around the world, as he has worked across the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering, University of Pune, India. He also has a Master of Arts in German and International Studies from The Lauder Institute at The University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania.
Laxman’s preferred Starbucks beverage is a doppio espresso macchiato with hot skim milk on the side.