Pepsi appoints first female boss

Ms Nooyi takes up the top job at Pepsico in October

Food and drinks giant Pepsico has appointed its first female boss - Indian-born Indra Nooyi.

The 50-year-old will take up the chief executive position at the New York-based firm in October, replacing the retiring Steve Reinemund.

Ms Nooyi's promotion from chief financial officer will make Pepsico the second-largest US firm led by a woman.

Her appointment comes as both Pepsico and rival Coca-Cola fight a ban on their products in India.

Six Indian states have announced partial or complete bans on the sale of such soft drinks after claims they contain harmful pesticides.

Both Pepsico and Coca-Cola insist their Indian products are safe.

'Strong record'

Ms Nooyi has been with Pepsi since 1994, and in the chief financial officer role since 2001.

Pepsico's problems in India will give Ms Nooyi much to think about

She is credited with leading Pepsico's takeover of the Tropicana fruit juice company.

Born in the southern Indian city of Madras (Chennai), Ms Nooyi holds a master's degree from the Yale School of Management.

Mr Reinemund, 68, is retiring to spend more time with his family.

He will stand down from the chief executive position in October, but will temporarily continue in the roles of executive chairman and director until May next year.

"Indra's record of transforming Pepsico speaks for itself, and she has been an invaluable partner and ally throughout my time as chief executive," said Mr. Reinemund.

"Having worked side-by-side with Indra for many years, I am convinced she is more than qualified and clearly ready for her new role leading Pepsico."

In addition to its main drinks business, Pepsico also owns UK potato crisp manufacturer Walkers.

The largest female-led company in the US is grain giant Archer Daniels Midland, whose chief executive is Patricia Woertz.