New CEO Appointed at Diageo: Sir Dave Lewis

Sir Dave Lewis Appointed as the New CEO of Diageo

Diageo plc announced the appointment of Sir Dave Lewis as the new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, effective January 1, 2026. Sir Dave is a proven leader with extensive marketing and brand-building experience.

From 2014 to 2020, Dave served as the CEO of Tesco plc, where he achieved significant success in transforming the company. Prior to that, he held senior management positions at Unilever for nearly 30 years. Most recently, he has served as the chairman of Haleon, a global leader in health services established in 2022. Sir Dave will step down from his role at Haleon on December 31, 2025.

Diageo's chairman Sir John Manzoni expressed their happiness in welcoming Dave Lewis as the new CEO, stating, "After a detailed global search, it was determined that Dave's experience as a CEO and his leadership skills in building brands globally are well-suited for Diageo."

Sir Dave Lewis stated that he aims to quickly overcome challenges with Diageo's strong brand portfolio and enhance shareholder value. "The market faces some challenges, but there are also significant opportunities. I look forward to responding to these challenges together," he added.

The interim CEO, Nik Jhangiani, will continue in this role until the end of 2025 and will then return to the role of Chief Financial Officer. Deirdre Mahlan will continue to support Diageo as the interim Chief Financial Officer.

Sir Dave Lewis was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2021 for his contributions to the business world. He also serves on the boards of organizations such as the Royal Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund.

Diageo is a leading producer of alcoholic beverages sold in over 180 countries worldwide. Its well-known brands include Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the London and New York Stock Exchanges.