Diageo announces appointments to Executive Committee

Diageo has today announced that:

– Andy Fennell, Chief Marketing Officer, will be appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, Africa, reporting to Nick Blazquez, President Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey, with effect from 1 July 2013. Andy will continue as a member of the Diageo Executive Committee.

– Syl Saller, Global Innovation Director, will be appointed Chief Marketing Officer with effect from 1 July 2013, and will join the Diageo Executive Committee at that time.

Ivan Menezes, Chief Operating Officer of Diageo said:

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Syl Saller to the Executive. Syl brings a great breadth of marketing and general management experience to her new position. In particular, her global track record on innovation performance over the past nine years has been outstanding.

Andy has made a huge contribution in his four and a half years as Chief Marketing Officer. In his new role, Andy will work with Nick and their talented teams to further strengthen our leading position in Africa, a region with enormous potential.”

Separately, Diageo has also announced that:

– Gareth Williams, HR Director since January 1999, is to retire from Diageo. Gareth will leave the Executive Committee on 30 June 2013, and will remain with Diageo until 30 June 2014, supporting a number of key projects.

– Leanne Wood, Global Talent and Organisational Effectiveness Director, will be appointed HR Director with effect from 1 July 2013, and will join the Diageo Executive Committee at that time.

Paul S Walsh, Chief Executive of Diageo said:

“Gareth has been absolutely pivotal to the creation of today’s Diageo, from shaping Diageo’s culture to putting people and values at the heart of our business. He has a total commitment to making Diageo a special and enduring company, and has guided the careers of many of its leaders today and those of the future. It has been a privilege to work with him.’

Ivan Menezes, Chief Operating Officer of Diageo added:

‘I am delighted to welcome Leanne Wood to the Diageo Executive in her new role. Leanne has a great track record across both strategy and HR, and wide experience of our business, having held roles in Ireland, South East Asia, Africa and our global functions.”