Diageo plc, the global leader in premium spirits and beer, announced today the appointment of Dave Lewis as its new chief executive officer and executive director, effective from January 1, 2026.
Lewis, a seasoned retail and consumer goods executive, will take the helm from the interim CEO Nik Jhangiani, who has led the company temporarily and will return to his role as chief financial officer.
The appointment follows a global search led by Diageo’s board. Chair John Manzoni who praised Lewis’s track record, stating:
“Having conducted an extensive and thorough global search, the Board unanimously felt that Dave has both the extensive CEO experience and the proven leadership skills in building and marketing world-leading brands, which is right for Diageo at this time.”
Lewis brings a wealth of experience to the role. He served as CEO of UK retail giant Tesco from 2014 to 2020, where he successfully guided the company through a major turnaround. Before that, he spent nearly 30 years at Unilever, rising through the ranks with deep expertise in brand development and global marketing.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Lewis said:
“I am delighted to be joining the team. While the market faces challenges, there are significant opportunities to create shareholder value.”
The leadership change comes at a pivotal time for Diageo, which owns iconic brands such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, and Baileys, as it navigates shifting consumer preferences, supply chain dynamics, and economic headwinds in key markets.
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