Diageo PLC to appoint Sir John Manzoni as Chair

Diageo to appoint Sir John Manzoni as Chair

• Javier Ferrán to retire in February 2025 in his ninth year on the Diageo Board

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / March 19, 2024 / 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."