An Irishman who has worked for Coca-Cola for more than three decades has become the company's new chairman and chief executive-elect.

Mr Neville Isdell, a 60-year-old Irish citizen, stepped down as president of Coca-Cola's Europe Group back in 1998. Even after quitting, he headed up Coca-Cola Beverages, one of the publicly-owned bottlers, before retiring to Barbados three years ago to run his own private investment company.

After joining Coke in the mid-1960s, he worked his way up the corporate ladder in a series of executive positions.

Mr Isdell was born in Downpatrick, Co Down. He started his career with Coca-Cola after attending Harvard Business School. His first job with the company in the mid-1960s was as a distribution manager in Zambia.

He became became president of the company's Central European Division in July 1985 and was appointed president of the Northeast Europe/Middle East and Africa Group in January 1989. In 1995, he became president of the company's Greater Europe Group.

His appointment ends a three-month search at the world's largest soft drink maker. He will succeed chairman and chief executive Mr Doug Daft, who has announced he will step down at the end of this year. Coca-Cola said the leadership transition was expected to take place by early summer.

"It's a smart move for the company," said Mr John Sicher, editor of Beverage Digest, a leading industry newsletter. "He will be a positive, stabilising influence on a company that has seen a lot of turnover lately."

In naming Mr Isdell as its new chief, the company passed over Mr Steven Heyer, its president and chief operating officer, who was initially seen as the favorite to replace Mr Daft, but key members of the board were said to be uncomfortable betting the future on a man with just three years' experience at Coca-Cola.