Irial Finan

Biography

Irial Finan is an executive vice president of The Coca-Cola Company and president of Bottling Investments Group (“BIG”), a multi-billion dollar bottling business owned by the Company.  BIG has operations in three continents (North America, South America and Asia).  He has responsibility for operations with more than $15 billion in revenues and more than 45,000 employees. Additionally, he is responsible for stewarding The Company’s Equity Investments.  Irial began his Coca-Cola career in the spring of 1981. During his 36 year tenure in The Coca-Cola Family he has held several positions. From 1984 to 1990, He was the finance director for Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland, Ltd., based in Dublin. During this role, Irial learned the skills necessary to understand the various markets across Europe. Starting in 1991 to 1993 he served as managing director of Coca-ColaBottlers Ulster, Ltd., based in Belfast. From 1995 to 1999, he was managing director of Molino Beverages, with responsibility for expanding markets, including the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Romania, Moldova, Russia and Nigeria. From 2001 to 2003, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola HBC, during which time he managed the merger integration of Coca-Cola Beverages plc and Hellenic Bottling SA, and led the combined company's operations in 26 countries. Irial joined the Coca-Cola Company in 2004 as President, Bottling Investments and Supply Chain and was named Executive Vice President of the Company in October 2004. Irial currently serves on the board of directors for Coca-Cola FEMSA, Coca-Cola East Japan, The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Supervisory Board for Coca-Cola European Partners, G2G trading, Smurfit Kappa Group and The American-Ireland Fund.  He is non-executive director for Co-operation Ireland and NUI Galway Foundation.  He is a recipient of the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Leadership Award in recognition for his professional and personal commitment to Ireland. He is also a Stars of the South Honoree. Irial holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from National University of Ireland in Galway and is an Associate (later Fellow) of the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants. He was recently conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from NUI Galway in Ireland.

Research Interest

Business