Diageo appoints new CEO

The board of directors of Diageo – global leader in premium drinks including canned offerings – has appointed Sir Dave Lewis to the role of chief executive officer and executive director, effective 1 January 2026.

Lewis is a proven CEO with extensive marketing and brand building experience. According to Diageo, he has an outstanding track record leading global consumer businesses, growing world-class brands and providing operational and financial rigour. He served as Group CEO of Tesco from 2014 to 2020, where he transformed the business and, prior to this, spent nearly three decades at Unilever, latterly in executive committee roles, leading on both marketing and business performance. Additionally, Lewis has been the chair of Haleon, a global leader in consumer healthcare, since its creation in 2022 and is a non-executive board director of PepsiCo Inc. He will be stepping down from the Haleon role on 31 December 2025.

Sir John Manzoni, Diageo’s chair, who led the succession process on behalf of the board, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Dave as Diageo’s new CEO. 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, that is right for Diageo at this time.”

He continued: “We are confident that Dave will work with the team to take Diageo into its next successful chapter in the evolving consumer environment. The Board wishes to recognise and thank Nik Jhangiani for his excellent leadership as Interim CEO and for continuing to drive forward Diageo’s sharpened strategy.”

Lewis himself said: “Diageo is a world leading business with a portfolio of very strong brands, and I am delighted to be joining the team. The market faces some headwinds but there are also significant opportunities. I look forward to working with the team to face these challenges and realise some of the opportunities in a way which creates shareholder value.”

Lewis is also a Trustee for The Royal Foundation and the Chair of the World Wildlife Fund in the UK. In recognition of his contribution to business and the food industry in the United Kingdom, Lewis was knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List.

Nik Jhangiani will continue as Interim CEO until the end of December 2025 and then resume his CFO role thereafter. Deirdre Mahlan, having returned to Diageo as Interim CFO, will continue to support Diageo through the transition.