Sector News

Diageo shakes up senior Europe and Africa team

June 13, 2016
Consumer Packaged Goods

Johnnie Walker maker Diageo has made a number of changes to its senior leadership team across Europe and Africa, with Charles Ireland named general manager, GB, Ireland and France.

Previously managing director at Diageo-owned East Africa Breweries Ltd (EABL), Ireland will be based in London and report to John Kennedy, president, Diageo Europe, Russia and Turkey.

Ireland has spent the last 13 years leading some of Diageo’s biggest businesses in Asia Pacific and Africa. He now returns to Europe to lead the Diageo GB business, while managing Diageo’s Ireland operations and the company’s French business alongside Oliver Loomes, country director, Ireland and Frank Floc’hlay, CEO, MHD France.

Meanwhile, Andrew Cowan, currently country director GB, has been appointed managing director EABL, reporting to John O’Keeffe, president Diageo Africa.

Cowan joined Diageo in 2008 as commercial director for Northern Ireland, and was subsequently named commercial director for the Republic of Ireland, before taking over the GB business five years ago.

Both Ireland and Cowan will begin a month of transition to their new roles from July 2016.

“I would like to thank Charles and Andrew for the significant impact they have made on EABL and GB respectively,” said Kennedy.

“Charles has transformed EABL to be one of the best performing markets in Diageo and the fastest growing market for Guinness. Over the last few years, under Andrew’s leadership, Diageo GB has seen consistent top line growth, profit growth and sprits market share growth, and Guinness is also growing again with increased value share.

“Both are tremendous achievements and I congratulate them both on their new appointments.”

By Kristiane Sherry

Source: The Spirits Business

comments closed

Related News

November 9, 2024

KP Snacks adds UK’s Whole Earth Foods to portfolio

Consumer Packaged Goods

Whole Earth manufactures nut butters and soft drinks ranges and has experienced major growth since Ecotone acquired it in 2003 – it is now the number one peanut butter brand in the UK and operates in other key European markets including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain and Italy.

November 9, 2024

The Coca-Cola Company restructures reporting lines for Costa and Innocent

Consumer Packaged Goods

The Coca-Cola Company has announced that its Costa Coffee and Innocent Drinks brands will transition to report directly to the company’s Europe operating unit, effective January 1 2025. This reorganisation is part of a broader initiative to simplify the company’s reporting structure without significant employment changes.

November 9, 2024

Kerry Group acquires LactoSens technology to complement lactase enzyme portfolio

Consumer Packaged Goods

Kerry will implement LactoSens in addition to its ingredient solutions to enable a more integrated offering for food manufacturers. The technology helps these companies meet stringent regulatory requirements while improving process efficiency through real-time analysis.

How can we help you?

We're easy to reach