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
10 November 2025
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
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
Sir Dave Lewis appointed Diageo plc CEO
Monday 10 November 2025, London, UK
The Board of Directors of Diageo plc ("Diageo") has today appointed
Sir Dave Lewis to the role of Chief Executive Officer and Executive
Director, effective on 1 January 2026.
Dave is a proven CEO with extensive marketing and brand building
experience. He has an outstanding track record leading global
consumer businesses, growing world-class brands, and providing
operational and financial rigour. Dave served as Group CEO of Tesco
plc 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, Dave 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. Dave 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, said: "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."
Manzoni 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."
Sir Dave Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, 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."
Dave 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, Dave 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.
There is no further information required to be disclosed in
accordance with UK Listing Rule 6.4.8(R).
Randall Ingber, General Counsel & Company Secretary, is
responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on
behalf of Diageo.
ENDS
For further information,
please contact:
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Media relations:
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Rebecca Perry
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07590 809101
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Clare Cavana
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07751 742072
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07803 856 200
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Investor relations:
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Sonya Ghobrial
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07392 784784
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Andy Ryan
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07803 854842
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Grace Murphy
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07514 726167
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Notes to editors:
1. Summary of appointment process and
arrangements in relation to Directorate changes
Appointment process and transition
The announcement of Diageo's new CEO reflects the outcome of a
rigorous process, conducted by the Board with external support,
over the last few months. The process considered both internal and
external candidates. The Board examined all candidates against its
priorities that the new CEO must be able to deliver a return to
consistent and sustainable growth, refresh the strategy to deliver
shareholder value in a potentially evolving TBA landscape and
understand and deliver for our customers and consumers - both for
today and into the future.
Remuneration arrangements in relation to Sir Dave
Lewis
Full details of Dave's future remuneration will be included in the
Directors' Remuneration Report for the year ending 30 June 2026,
following his appointment to the Board.
Dave's remuneration package will include an annual salary
of GBP 1,500,000 and a pension contribution (or allowance
in lieu) of 14% of base salary. He will also have an annual
incentive plan opportunity, bonus deferral, long-term incentive
plan opportunity and shareholding requirement as an Executive
Director in accordance with Diageo's remuneration policy, as
approved by shareholders.
2. Sir Dave Lewis biography
Sir Dave Lewis joins Diageo from Haleon Plc, where he has been
Chair since 2022, having joined from Tesco Plc, a multinational
retailer, where he served as Group Chief Executive Officer of Tesco
plc, from 2014 until September 2020.
Prior to joining Tesco, he served for 28 years in a variety of
management positions with Unilever plc, a global consumer products
company. His last two roles, President Americas and Global
President for Personal care were on the Global Executive
team.
Dave is a non-executive director with PepsiCo and Chairman of
Xlinks, a privately owned renewable energy business. He is also a
Director of A Birds Eye View and Operating Advisor of CD&R LLP.
Dave also serves on the board of a non-profit and charitable
organisation as Chair of the World Wildlife Fund-UK. Previously, he
served on the Sky plc Board from 2012 to 2016 and was also chair of
Champions 12.3, a UN programme seeking to add momentum to the
achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Target 12.3 by 2030,
and co-chair of the Consumer, Retail and Life Sciences Business
Council, which was established to advise the Prime Minister of the
United Kingdom.
In recognition of his contribution to business and the food
industry in the United Kingdom, Dave was knighted by Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II in the 2021 New Year's Honours List. He is also
appointed as Trustee of the Royal Foundation of the Prince and
Princess of Wales.
Dave is married and has two daughters.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding
collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These
brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan's
whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc 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:
10 November 2025
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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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