Diageo’s Australia director ‘resigns’

Tim Salt, the managing director of Diageo Australia, is leaving the company at the end of June, reports have claimed.

Salt has been in the role since 2008 and his decision to resign from the company is “a personal one”, he is quoted by Australian news site The Shout as saying.

“I have had seven wonderful years at the helm of Diageo Australia and I remain truly grateful to have led such a great business,” he continues.

The drinks business has contacted Diageo for confirmation.

The Shout quotes Salt saying, “The time has come for me to pursue new opportunities and for others to bring a new perspective and energy to take the Diageo Australia business to the next level.

“Very few industries have sociability, celebration, enjoyment and passion at its core like the alcohol industry does.

“I feel enormously privileged to have been a part of this great industry and to know and have worked with so many great people.”

Sam Fischer, Diageo’s president of Greater China and Asia, is reported to have given his praises to Salt for his contribution to the company. He said, “Tim joined Diageo Australia at a time when the industry was particularly challenged with the introduction of the RTD tax and decreasing volumes, alongside a volatile external environment.

“Over the last seven years, Tim has created a business which is recognised for strong, resilient, sustainable performance, both internally and externally.

“Tim has developed and built a team of strong and capable leaders, many of whom have gone on to broader and bigger opportunities. He leaves the Australia business in great hands.”

Australia will be the latest Diageo regional operation to lose its leading figure when he steps down on 30 June. On Monday, Larry Schwartz, president of Diageo North America, announced his retirement after forty years in the drinks industry.

The company says that Schwartz’s replacement will be announced in due course.