My decision to move on was purely personal: Manu Anand

Interview with erstwhile region president, PepsiCo India

Manu Anand, PepsiCo India president who quit on Thursday, refused to be forthcoming on his reasons for leaving when Viveat Susan Pinto buttonholed him for an interview. Edited excerpts:

There is speculation you are relocating to Dubai and that this could happen soon?
I am taking a short break at this point. Yes, I am evaluating a few options. But I cannot tell you anything at the moment.

Your departure was sudden. Most link it to PepsiCo's struggles in the beverages business. Contrary to your expectations, the Indian Premier League didn't help revive sales of your brands?

I am bound by a confidentiality clause that prevents me from discussing anything about PepsiCo.

Your tenure was marred by mid- to senior-levels exits and some of these were acrimonious. In hindsight, do you think these could have been handled better?
I cannot comment about PepsiCo, as I am no longer part of the organisation. But to clarify, my decision to move on was purely personal. I wanted an early retirement, as I had been with the company for 19 years.

Would you continue in the fast-moving consumer goods industry, or are you evaluating other options as well?
I am yet to crystallise what I propose to do next. I hope to do that in due course of time.

The PepsiCo statement said you had decided to join another company and were hence quitting.
I cannot comment on what they said because I have a confidentiality clause which prevents me from saying anything.

Wasn't it a sudden decision?
Yes. It happened suddenly. However, I had asked for an early retirement.