9 - MUHTAR KENT, CEO, Coca-Cola
The man at the helm of the most iconic US brand going was born in New York, went to high school in Turkey, and to college in the UK, but like General Mills CEO Ken Powell, has spent most his career with the same company.
Pathway to the top: Born in New York in 1952, where his father, Necdet Kent, was the Turkish consul-general, Kent completed high school at Tarsus American College in Mersin, Turkey and then headed to the UK to complete his education.
Kent joined Coca-Cola in 1978, holding a variety of marketing and operations leadership positions. In 1985, he became general manager of Coca-Cola Turkey and Central Asia, and in 1989, became president of its East Central Europe Division and SVP of Coca-Cola International.
In 1995, he took the helm of Coca-Cola Amatil-Europe, and in 1999, became President and CEO of the Efes Beverage Group, a diversified beverage company with Coca-Cola and beer operations across Europe, Turkey and Central Asia.
He returned to Coke in 2005 as president and COO of its North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East Group, and less than a year later, became President of Coca-Cola International, before taking the CEO role in 2008 and the chairman role in 2009.
Education: Kent has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Hull in England and a Master of Science degree in Administrative Sciences from Cass Business School, City University London.
