Lavazza, Italy’s leading coffee brand and major player in the Indian coffee market, has announced the appointment of R Shivashankar as director-South Asia and Sanjay Coutinho as chief executive officer, Barista Coffee Company Ltd, India, with immediate effect. Both will be under the main Lavazza business coordination for Asia and Pacific region markets. Lavazza entered India by acquiring Barista Coffee Company Ltd, the leading Indian coffee café chain, and Fresh & Honest Café Limited, India’s leading coffee vending and retailing company, in 2007.
In his capacity as director of South Asia, Shivashankar will oversee the coordination of its subsidiaries in India, Fresh & Honest and Barista, as well as the management of distributors in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Prior to the announcement, he was CEO, Fresh and Honest Café Ltd and director on the Board since 2005. He successfully transitioned the company to Lavazza management in April 2007. With over 22 years of experience, Shivashankar has profound industry knowledge. He started his career with Madura Coats and subsequently worked with Colgate, Seagram’s India, Hutchison and Hutch.
Coutinho has been the COO of Barista Coffee Company Ltd since February 2009. He brings with him an in-depth understanding and expertise of the food and retail sector, with an experience of 18 years in the retail and F&B industry. Prior to joining Barista Coffee, he worked with Gravis Foods Private Limited, formerly known as Baskin Robbins Franchise Co Pvt Ltd, Pantaloons Retail, pizza delivery chain Domino’s Pizza India Limited, Jet Airways and Ambassador’s Sky Chef.
– IndiaRetailing Bureau
