Mumbai/IBNS, Dec. 22 -- American multinational coffeehouse chain Starbucks has announced the appointment of Indian-origin Amazon veteran Anand Varadarajan as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), media reports said.

He will succeed Deb Hall Lefevre, who retired in September 2025. Following Lefevre's retirement, Ningyu Chen had been serving as interim CTO.

In his new role, Varadarajan is expected to help modernise and strengthen Starbucks' technology infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency across stores, and accelerate the company's global digital and technology initiatives.

Varadarajan earned his undergraduate degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

He holds a master's degree in civi...