PepsiCo, Inc. announced a series of leadership appointments that support the company's global business priorities and growth strategies.

"Our consistent focus on talent development has built a best-in-class leadership pipeline that is fueling our success and positioning PepsiCo well for sustainable long-term growth," said PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi. "Today's appointments enable us to continue to elevate our next generation of talent to increasing levels of responsibility. This is essential to ensure our ability to better navigate complex operating conditions around the world and meet the changing needs of our business in the future."

Hugh Johnston, executive vice president and chief financial officer, is being named vice chairman. He will continue to serve as CFO, as well as oversee the Quaker Foods North America business and PepsiCo's global e-commerce organization. In addition, he will now have responsibility for the company's global business and information solutions function, which provides information technology systems and solutions across PepsiCo.

The expansion of Johnston's responsibilities comes as PepsiCo continues to preemptively address global trends that are reshaping the food and beverage industry. One such trend is the rise of the digitally connected consumer and the emergence of e-commerce as a new distribution channel. Putting the company's information technology and e-commerce organizations under the oversight of a vice chairman will accelerate new solutions and further strengthen PepsiCo's digital technology capabilities.

The move follows PepsiCo's appointment of Mehmood Khan, executive vice president and chief scientific officer, to vice chairman earlier this year. In his role, Khan is focused on leading PepsiCo's global sustainability agenda and identifying new ways to embed sustainable business practices.