Early Days: Engineering Roots and Global Vision

Born on May 15, 1967, in Pune, India, Narasimhan began his
academic journey at the College of Engineering, Pune, earning a degree in
mechanical engineering, A determined student, he left India in his mid‑20s
to pursue graduate studies in the U.S.—joining the
Lauder Institute for a Master’s in German
and international studies, and later an MBA in Finance from Wharton, both at
the University of Pennsylvania.

These multilateral credentials reflect his early commitment
to global thinking and deep subject mastery.

 Climbing the Ranks:
McKinsey to PepsiCo

Narasimhan cut his teeth at McKinsey & Company, where he
spent nearly two decades until 2012, rising to become director and location
manager of the New Delhi office. This tenure honed his strategic instincts
across sectors.

In 2012, he transitioned to PepsiCo, occupying senior roles:
from Chief Commercial Officer to leading operations across Latin America,
Europe, and Sub‑Saharan Africa—building $18
billion businesses across 100 countries .

 Reckitt: Turning
Around a Global Consumer Giant

In September 2019, Narasimhan took the CEO position at Reckitt
Benckiser, a major player in consumer health, hygiene, and nutrition. He
applied his strategic acumen to revive growth after a period of misaligned
management under his predecessor.

His tenure lasted until September 2022, when he stepped down
citing personal and family reasons, and a desire to relocate back to the
U.S.—after a decade away.

—

 Entering the World of
Coffee: Starbucks CEO

In a surprise turn, Starbucks announced in September 2022
that Narasimhan would succeed interim CEO Howard Schultz. He officially joined
the company at the end of October as incoming CEO, taking over the role ahead
of schedule in March 2023 ([About Starbucks][5]).

Narasimhan made a symbolic splash—traveling to over 30
stores, manufacturing, and support centers worldwide, where he even earned his barista
certification to understand the Starbucks culture from the ground up.

 The Short-Lived
Reign: Challenges Beneath the Surface

Narasimhan’s tenure was brief—just over a year. In August
2024, Starbucks announced his immediate replacement, appointing Brian Niccol
(formerly CEO at Chipotle) as his successor, effective September 9, 2024 .

This dramatic shift followed sluggish sales, declining stock
performance, and activist investor pressure. Starbucks experienced a rare
decline in revenue, with traffic down 3% year-over-year—especially troubling in
North America ([thesun.co.uk][7], [Business Standard][8]).

Reflections on Leadership: Immersion, Execution, Exit

 The Immersion That
Wasn’t Enough