Dr. Ajai Puri’s executive career in the food and beverage industry has spanned a broad range of global roles in R&D, innovation, supply chain development, consumer marketing, and general management. At Coca-Cola, he played a central role in building the company’s global juice platform with products like Simply Orange™ and Minute Maid Pulpy™ — both of which are billion-dollar brands at Coca-Cola today. As an Executive Board member (R&D and Innovation) at Amsterdam-based Royal Numico NV (a specialized nutrition company with leading businesses in early life nutrition and medical nutrition) Dr. Puri was responsible for implementing a highly successful science-driven, consumer-led R&D strategy that ultimately led to the acquisition of the company at a record valuation. 

Dr. Puri has been an active non-executive director in the food and agriculture space. Past non-executive director roles include Nutreco NV (global leader in animal nutrition and aquaculture), Barry Callebaut AG (world’s foremost industrial chocolate manufacturer), Tate & Lyle PLC (specialty F&B ingredients), Firmenich SA (global leader in fragrances and flavors). Present non-executive director roles include Britannia Industries Ltd (India’s largest food company), Olam International (leading global food and agriculture business), IMI PLC (specialist engineering and technology group), and Califia Farms LP (leading plant-based milks company). In most of these roles, Dr. Puri has worked closely with management to reshape innovation strategies with a focus on value-added consumer benefits, ESG-sensitive product platforms, and novel ingredient technologies. 

Dr. Puri was born and raised in Bangalore, India. He was educated in India and the USA and has degrees in Agricultural Sciences, Food Technology, Food Science, and Business Administration.