IBM Elects Ramon L. Laguarta to its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Summary

IBM (NYSE: IBM) elected Ramon L. Laguarta to its board of directors, effective March 1, 2026. Laguarta, 62, is chairman and CEO of PepsiCo and has led PepsiCo since 2018 through portfolio and cultural transformation and enterprise technology scaling.

The appointment highlights IBM's emphasis on bringing consumer-packaged-goods and technology-driven transformation experience to its board to support long-term shareholder value.

Positive

• Adds Ramon L. Laguarta, PepsiCo CEO, to IBM board effective March 1, 2026
• Brings experience in scaling technology across a large global consumer business
• Strengthens board expertise in portfolio transformation and growth strategy

Negative

• Potential short-term governance transition as new director integrates with board processes
• No disclosed changes to IBM executive management or immediate operational roles

ARMONK, N.Y., Jan. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The IBM (NYSE: IBM) board of directors has elected Ramon L. Laguarta to the board, effective March 1, 2026.

Ramon L. Laguarta, 62, is the chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo. With a strong commitment to performance and leadership, Mr. Laguarta has led PepsiCo, a global food and beverage leader, since 2018. He has played a pivotal role in PepsiCo's portfolio and cultural transformation.

Arvind Krishna, IBM chairman, president and chief executive officer, said: "We are pleased to have Ramon Laguarta join the IBM board of directors. Ramon's background, expertise and proven track record of leveraging technology to transform large organizations make him an ideal director to help steward IBM and deliver significant value to our shareholders."

Under Mr. Laguarta's leadership, PepsiCo has evolved into a growth-driven, best-in-class organization. He has led a strategic, end-to-end transformation agenda, scaling technology across the enterprise, driving long-term value for the company.

Prior to becoming CEO, Mr. Laguarta was president of PepsiCo, responsible for driving the company's corporate strategy. Throughout his career, he has held several executive positions and served as president of developing markets in Europe and CEO of Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. He is a board member of the Business Roundtable.

Born and raised in Barcelona, Mr. Laguarta holds an MBA from ESADE Business School in Spain and a Master of Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Contact:
Tim Davidson
914-844-7847
tfdavids@us.ibm.com

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SOURCE IBM

FAQ

Who is Ramon L. Laguarta and when does he join the IBM board (NYSE: IBM)?

Ramon L. Laguarta is chairman and CEO of PepsiCo and joins IBM's board effective March 1, 2026. According to IBM, Laguarta has led PepsiCo since 2018 and brings experience in transformation, portfolio strategy, and enterprise technology scaling to the board.

What expertise does Ramon Laguarta bring to IBM's board (IBM) as announced on January 30, 2026?

He brings experience in scaling technology, portfolio transformation, and global operations across consumer markets. According to IBM, his background includes leading PepsiCo's strategic, end-to-end transformation and oversight of developing markets and Europe operations.

Does Ramon Laguarta's IBM board election change IBM executive leadership or CEO role?

No immediate executive or CEO changes at IBM were announced in connection with this board election. According to IBM, the appointment is a board-level addition effective March 1, 2026, not an operational leadership change.

How might Ramon Laguarta's background at PepsiCo impact IBM shareholders (NYSE: IBM)?

His experience could support IBM's technology-driven transformation and strategic growth initiatives at the board level. According to IBM, Laguarta's track record of leveraging technology to transform large organizations is expected to help deliver shareholder value.

What are Ramon Laguarta's prior roles and education noted in the IBM announcement?

He previously served as president of PepsiCo and led developing markets and Europe operations; he sits on the Business Roundtable. According to IBM, Laguarta holds an MBA from ESADE and a Master of Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management.