Former Coca-Cola marketing chief joins private equity firm

Coca-Cola former marketing chief Mary Minnick is joining London-based private equity firm Lion Capital as a partner. Minnick resigned from her position as Coca-Cola president of marketing, strategy and innovation earlier this year after failing to land a key promotion within the company.

Minnick was considered a potential candidate for the top job at the soft drinks giant but Muhtar Kent, another rising star within the company, was instead appointed president and chief operating officer. Kent is now considered likely to succeed Neville Isdell as chief executive.

Minnick will be one of seven partners at Lion Capital, which is primarily focused on the consumer sector. The company has invested more than Euros 2.5bn (£1.69bn) since the early 1990s. Minnick relocated to the UK, where her partner lives, following her resignation from Coca-Cola. She joins Lion Capital next month.