Coca-Cola Named Employer and Human Capital Investor

PRESS RELEASE

Coca-Cola Named Employer and Human Capital Investor of the Year at Africa-focused Awards Ceremony

Posted on: Oct 14 2011

The Coca-Cola Company was named “Employer and Human Capital Investor of the Year” at the Africa investor Investment and Business Leader Awards 2011. The awards were presented on Sept. 23 at an invitation-only ceremony during the World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.

Sponsored by Africa investor (Ai), a leading international investment research and communications group, the longstanding program rewards exceptional business practices, economic achievements and investments across Africa. Honorees include institutions and individuals who are helping to improve the continent’s investment climate.

“To achieve our 2020 Vision, The Coca-Cola Company needs to recruit and retain best-in-class talent,” said Ahmet C. Bozer, President, Eurasia & Africa Group. “Our ongoing workplace efforts in diversity, inclusion, workplace rights and fairness – along with our focus on multicultural marketplaces, customers, consumers, communities and supplier diversity partners – are critical components for sustaining our business. The extraordinary diversity of ideas, cultures and beliefs of our global workforce is one of the most important competitive advantages we have as a system.”
The Employer and Human Capital Investor of the Year category was open to all businesses operating in Africa either at a continental, regional, national or local level. Judges looked for the organization that provides the most stimulating and supportive workplace and encourages the active development of all employees. Additional criteria focused on how companies address issues like staff retention and recruitment of local staff.
Finalists included SABMiller, Foschini Group, Microsoft, ABSA Bank, Diageo, Nedbank, Aon Corporation and Vodafone.
“Africa is a key market for The Coca-Cola Company,” said Bill Egbe, President, South Africa Business Unit and head of Pan-African Initiatives. “We have been here for the past 83 years and intend to remain on the continent for the foreseeable future… we invest for the long term. We also believe in investing in our associates, for they make – and have made – The Coca-Cola Company what it is today.”
Stevens J. Sainte-Rose, Human Resources Director, Eurasia & Africa Group, added, “We are delighted to have been recognized for our efforts in this space. We strive to be a great place to work and a preferred employer in all our key markets – by fostering safe, open, inclusive and healthy work environments for our associates. This award indicates we are making progress towards this goal.”
Nominations were submitted by companies and Africa investor magazine readers. A shortlist was then reviewed by a judging panel comprised of Dr. Alhaji Tukur, Chairman, NEPAD Business Group; Barbara Samuels, Executive Director and Founder, Global Clearinghouse; William Kennedy, Senior Officer, United Nations Office for International Partnerships; Wiseman Nkuhlu, Director of Companies and former Chairman of Pan African Capital Holdings; Mark Mobius, Executive Chairman, Templeton Asset Management; and Hubert Danso, Vice President and Managing Director, Africa investor.

For further information contact: Philippe Ayivor on: + (233) 0244331671