Indra Nooyi to step down as PepsiCo CEO in October

Indra Nooyi, Pepsico's Indian-origin CEO, will step down after 12 years leading the US food and beverage giant, the company announced on Monday. 

Nooyi, 62, will step down on October 3 after 24 years with the company. She will remain as chairman until early 2019. 

President Ramon Laguarta was elected by the board of directors to succeed her. Laguarta was also elected to the board. 

"Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company," Nooyi said in a statement.  

“Guided by our philosophy of Performance with Purpose -- delivering sustained performance while making more nutritious products, limiting our environmental footprint and lifting up all the communities we serve -- we've made a more meaningful impact in people's lives than I ever dreamed possible," she said. 

"PepsiCo today is in a strong position for continued growth with its brightest days still ahead," she added. 

Laguarta, a 22-year veteran of the company, has been president since September, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Prior to that, Laguarta served in leadership positions in the European and sub-Saharan Africa divisions. 

With Nooyi's departure, the rest of PepsiCo's senior leadership team will remain unchanged, the company said. 

PepsiCo's premarket stock price declined slightly after the announcement, CNBC reported.

Photograph: Reuters.