a3208h
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
19 March 2024
Commission File Number: 001-10691
DIAGEO plc
(Translation
of registrant’s name into English)
16 Great Marlborough Street, London, United Kingdom, W1F 7HS
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form
20-F X
Form
40-F
Diageo plc
LEI: 213800ZVIELEA55JMJ32
Diageo to appoint Sir John Manzoni as Chair
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Javier Ferrán to retire in February 2025 in his ninth year on
the Diageo Board
19 March 2024, London, UK: Diageo
today announces that current non-executive director Sir John
Manzoni will be appointed Chair of the Board on or around 5
February 2025 when current Chair Javier Ferrán retires from
the Board.
Sir John Manzoni joined the Diageo Board in October 2020, having
been Chief Executive of the UK Civil Service from 2014 to 2020. He
is currently Chair of FTSE-listed multinational energy business SSE
plc and a non-executive director of engineering and technology
business KBR, Inc. He was previously a non-executive director of
the multinational drinks company SAB Miller plc for 11 years from
2004 to 2015. Earlier in his career John served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Talisman Energy, and held a number
of senior executive roles at BP plc.
Javier Ferrán joined the Diageo Board in July 2016 and was
appointed Chair on 1 January 2017.
Susan Kilsby, Diageo's senior independent director who led the
appointment process, said:
"On behalf of the entire Board, I want to express our gratitude to
Javier. He has led our Board with great distinction, helping us to
attain new levels of commercial success and to strengthen our
position as one of the most trusted and respected consumer products
companies in the world. We are proud of the progress Diageo has
made under his stewardship, achieving average annual total
shareholder returns of 8% over the last decade, and driving
diversity throughout our organisation, with over 70% of the Board
and 44% of our senior leadership now comprised of
women.
"The Board is delighted to appoint John as Diageo's next Chair,
following an extensive search process. John has an outstanding
track record of leadership within beverage alcohol and across a
number of other complex and fast-changing sectors in the UK and
globally. His experience and expertise will be instrumental as
Diageo continues to develop and grow its global business in the
years ahead."
Javier Ferrán said:
"It has been a true privilege to lead Diageo's Board during a
period in which we have achieved significant growth, reshaped our
portfolio and geographic footprint, and navigated widespread global
volatility. I look forward to working with John, the Board and all
my Diageo colleagues to ensure a smooth transition over the coming
months."
Sir John Manzoni said:
"It will be a privilege to take on this role and to succeed Javier,
whose leadership and acumen have been so valuable to our business
and to Board colleagues.
"Since joining the Board, I have been continually impressed by the
growth potential of the organisation, the quality of our brands,
and the dedication and high standards of Diageo colleagues around
the world. Diageo has an unrivalled portfolio, a global footprint
and world-leading capabilities, and I look forward to supporting
the executive team to ensure that we deliver on our
potential."
Debra Crew, Chief Executive, said:
"Javier has been an invaluable source of strategic counsel and
advice for me and our wider leadership team, and I want to thank
him personally for the role he has played in stewarding the
business so successfully.
"With a strong focus on execution, we will continue to invest
behind our iconic brands to create value for shareholders and
maintain our position as an industry leader in total beverage
alcohol, an attractive sector with a long runway for growth. I look
forward to working with John as Chair and the rest of the Board to
achieve those ambitions."
Sir John Manzoni will also succeed Javier Ferrán as Chair of
the Nomination Committee in February 2025.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Sir John A. Manzoni, KCB is a former British senior civil servant
(2014 to 2020) and business executive. He was appointed Knight
Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in 2020, for public
service. Sir John served as Chief Executive of the Major Projects
Authority from February 2014 to October 2014. In October 2014, he
became the first ever Chief Executive of the UK Civil Service, and
in August 2015, he added the post of Permanent Secretary for the
Cabinet Office.
From 2007 to 2012, Sir John served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Talisman Energy Inc., a global oil and gas exploration
and production company based in Canada. Prior to that role,
Sir John spent almost 25 years at BP plc, one of the world's
leading integrated oil and gas companies. From 2001 to 2002,
Sir John served as BP's Chief Executive of Gas and Power, and from
2002 to 2007, he served as Chief Executive of Refining and
Marketing. He also served as an executive director on BP's Main
Board from 2003 to 2007.
Sir John serves as Chair of the Board of SSE plc. He also serves as
Chair of the Board of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE plc), a
UK Ministry of Defence facility. He is a non-executive director of
KBR, Inc. in the US. Sir John is an advisor for Mace Group Ltd and
is a mentor for Chairman Mentors International (CMi). Sir
John previously served as a non-executive on the board of SABMiller
plc from 2004 - 2015, and as an Advisory Board member for the
Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Sir John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering
and a Master of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from
Imperial College London. He also holds a Master of Science degree
in Management from Stanford University's Graduate School of
Business and was a Sloan Fellow. Sir John has received an Honorary
Doctorate from Aberdeen University.
Contacts
Investor relations:
Durga
Doraisamy
Andy
Ryan
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+44 (0)
7902 126 906
+44 (0)
7803 854 842
investor.relations@diageo.com
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Media relations:
Brendan
O'Grady
Rebecca
Perry
Clare
Cavana
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+44 (0)
7812 183 750
+44 (0)
7590 809 101
+44 (0)
7751 742 072
press@diageo.com
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About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding
collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JeB and
Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cоroc and Ketel One vodkas,
Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and
Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in nearly 180
countries around the world. The company is listed on both the
London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).
For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and
performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global
responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information,
initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Diageo plc
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(Registrant)
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Date:
19 March 2024
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By:___/s/
James Edmunds
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James Edmunds
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Deputy Company Secretary
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