Coca-Cola Vet Joins Advent International

John Sheppard, a 20-year veteran of Coca-Cola, has joined Advent International as an operating partner. His past roles included president of Coca-Cola’s European division and vice president of Coca-Cola International.

PRESS RELEASE

Advent International, the global private equity firm, today announced that John Sheppard has joined the firm’s Operating Partner Program to advise on global investment opportunities in the consumer sector, with a particular focus on branded and private label consumer goods and the food and beverage sectors.

Mr. Sheppard worked with Coca-Cola for nearly 20 years where he held a number of senior positions, including President of Coca-Cola’s European Division and Vice President, Coca-Cola International. In these roles, Mr. Sheppard implemented a pan-European business strategy to leverage efficiencies from 15 previously stand-alone businesses and led the integration and assimilation of a number of major acquisitions into ongoing businesses, including Cadbury Schweppes and Orangina.

“Adding an experienced industry executive like John to our program underscores the benefits our operating partners provide to our investment strategy,” said Advent Managing Director Steven Collins. “John’s expertise and strategic knowledge will help us identify attractive opportunities and work more effectively with management teams to take their companies to the next level.”

Most recently, Mr. Sheppard was Executive Partner at Emigrant Capital, where he oversaw the firm’s investments in Forward Foods, Robeks Juice, Jolt Energy, Zola Açai and Boylan Beverages. Previously, Mr. Sheppard worked with Cott Corporation, the largest private label carbonated soft drink manufacturer in North America with over $1.5 billion in revenue, from 2002 to 2006. At Cott, Mr. Sheppard held several senior positions, including President and Chief Executive Officer, and was instrumental in leading an operational turnaround of the company.

“John has a long history of creating value for both branded and private label companies in the consumer goods market,” said Advent Principal Jefferson Case. “We look forward to capitalizing on John’s domestic and international leadership experience and enlisting his help in encouraging operational improvements alongside management in our portfolio companies.”

“I am pleased to be joining a firm with a proven track record of successful investing in the consumer space,” said Mr. Sheppard. “Advent is an established private equity firm globally, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s efforts and broadening its capabilities in my sectors.”

Mr. Sheppard is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Food Industry Network. He holds a Master’s of Business Administration in Finance and a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Georgia.

Advent Operating Partner Program

Advent’s Operating Partner Program involves business leaders from a range of sectors working as consultants to the firm in a variety of ways: sourcing investment opportunities, assisting with the due diligence process and advising on the strategic and operational development of portfolio companies. The use of operating partners is a fundamental and long-established element of Advent’s highly operational approach to investing. The program currently includes over 70 high-level individuals, many of whom have been involved in multiple Advent investments.

About Advent International

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the world’s leading global buyout firms, with offices in 16 countries on four continents. A driving force in international private equity for 25 years, Advent has built an unparalleled global platform of over 150 investment professionals across Western and Central Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on international buyouts, strategic repositioning opportunities and growth buyouts in five core sectors, working actively with management teams to drive revenue growth and earnings improvements in portfolio companies. Since inception, Advent has raised $24 billion in private equity capital and, through its buyout programs, has completed over 250 transactions valued at approximately $45 billion in 35 countries. For more information, visit www.adventinternational.com.