Pratik Pota to head Tata Global, PepsiCo JV

NourishCo Beverages, the joint venture between Tata Global Beverages and PepsiCo India Holdings, today said Pratik Pota of PepsiCo has been appointed as CEO of the firm.

Pota has been appointed as CEO - NourishCo Beverages with immediate effect, NourishCo Beverages said in a statement.

He takes over from Punita Lal, who has proceeded on a sabbatical for personal reasons. She would in due course come back to a role in PepsiCo, it added.

Commenting on the appointment Tata Global Beverages and NourishCo Beverages Chairman Krishna Kumar said: "I have worked with Pratik in the past, and am delighted that we have found a leader of Pratik's calibre to lead our joint venture with PepsiCo."

In 2010, PepsiCo and Tata Global Beverages had announced forming a 50:50 joint venture to cater to the non-carbonated ready-to-drink beverages segment and focus on health and enhanced wellness.

While Tata Gluco Plus is the first product developed by the JV, Nourish Co had entered into a brand licensing and a manufacturing agreement with the Tatas for marketing the latter's Himalayan brand of mineral water.

Last month, the company had launched Tata Water Plus -- a nutrient rich packaged water in two variants.

Pota joined PepsiCo India Beverages in September 2005 as the Category Marketing Director - Flavors. In 2009, he moved on to head PepsiCo's South Market Unit as MUGM (Market Unit General Manager), it added.

Prior to joining PepsiCo, he worked in Airtel for four years where he played a key role in launching Airtel Mobile operations in Western India.