Diageo announces leadership shake up

The chief executive of Diageo has announced a series of changes to his executive team in a bid to build on its success in emerging markets and continue an ambition to dominate the global drinks industry.

Ivan Menezes

Changes to his leadership team confirm a continued focus on emerging markets in China and India, Africa, Eurasia and Pacific with new managerial appointments announced in to boost growth.

Gilbert Ghostine, has been appointed President, Diageo India and Greater China, and Chief Corporate Development Officer, with a particular focus on development in India and China.

Nick Blazquez has been appointed President, Diageo Africa, Eurasia and Pacific, taking responsibility for north Asia, south east Asia, Australia, while David Cutter, currently International Supply Centre Director, is appointed President Global Supply and Procurement taking over from David Gosnell who is set to retire.

In a statement Ivan Menezes, chief executive, of Diageo said: “When I became Chief Executive I set out my ambition for Diageo to become one of the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. In the last nine months I have made changes to align the organisation behind that ambition and today I have announced further changes to the Diageo Executive Committee to ensure we achieve it. These changes will be effective 1 July 2014.”

“Over the last few years the scale and shape of our business in Asia Pacific has transformed, primarily by the acquisitions we have made in India and Greater China. These markets are key growth engines for Diageo, and Gilbert Ghostine will now focus on the development of our position in India and China, a position which he orchestrated as he led the expansion of our business in Asia Pacific. I have also asked Gilbert to take on the newly created role of Chief Corporate Development Officer, responsible for Business Development. In addition he will be responsible for our relationship with Moët Hennessy and will join me on the Moët Hennessy/Diageo Joint Committee. Gilbert’s title will be President, Diageo India and Greater China, and Chief Corporate Development Officer.

“My second change is to reconfigure the leadership of our emerging markets outside Latin America and Caribbean and Nick Blazquez is appointed President, Diageo Africa, Eurasia and Pacific. Nick will now take full responsibility for the markets of North Asia, South East Asia, Australia and GTME, alongside his existing responsibility for Africa, Turkey, Russia and Eastern Europe, and the global route to consumer work. Bringing these markets under Nick’s leadership will enable to us to build on the footprint we have already created in these fast growth geographies.”

He added: “The three changes I am announcing today, together with the appointments I have already made to the executive committee, bring together a strong leadership team. I congratulate Gilbert, Nick and David Cutter on their new appointments and I look forward to working with them and the whole Diageo executive, to deliver our ambition for Diageo to become one of the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world.”