Starbucks may have expat head in India

Starbucks, US-based coffee retailer, has intensified its search for chief executive officer (CEO) for the yet-to-be-launched India operations and according to people involved closely with process of identifying the right candidate, the Seattle-headquartered company could well settle for an overseas executive to head its India business.

“They (Starbucks) are looking at many candidates, but have not yet taken a final decision on who would be the CEO. In all probability, it could be an overseas person,” said a person who is aware of selection process of CEO on request of anonymity. 

E Balaji, CEO of HR consulting firm Ma Foi, said the reason for the coffee retailer considering an overseas person could be to get someone with “international experience.”

“They must be looking for someone with international experience who would be able localise Starbucks’ business for the Indian market. So, someone who has worked in Asian markets in Malaysia, Thailand, Middle East and other Asia would be apt for the India market,” he said.  

For some time, the name doing the rounds in the market was that of Santosh Unni, CEO of Costa Coffee, but the industry source denied that he was being “considered” for the post.

After capturing substantial market share in the Chinese market, the coffee retail chain is looking at entering the Indian market along with Tata Coffee, the largest coffee plantation and parent company of Eight O’Clock Coffee Co.

Its entry is expected to brew intense competition in the local market, which already has established players such as Cafe Coffee Day, Barista Lavazza, Java Green, Costa Coffee and Gloria Jean’s Coffee that together operate over 2,000 outlets.