Tag Archives: Leadership Change

Debra Crew Quits as Diageo CEO

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  • Nik Jhangiani, CFO is interim CEO
  • Guidance for fiscal 25 and 26 remains unchanged

Diageo on 16th July 2025, announced that Debra Crew has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and as a Board Director with immediate effect, by mutual agreement. Until a permanent appointment is made, Nik Jhangiani, Chief Financial Officer, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis.

Diageo said that the Board had begun a comprehensive formal search process, which will include consideration of internal and external candidates.

Debra Crew has led Diageo as Chief Executive Officer since June 2023, having joined Diageo as a non-executive director in 2019, then serving as President of Diageo North America and subsequently as Group Chief Operating Officer.

Guidance for fiscal 25 and 26 remains unchanged from what was shared on 19th May 2025 in the Q3 Trading Statement, and Diageo will report its fiscal 2025 full year results on 5th August as planned.

John Manzoni, Chair, Diageo plc, said, “On behalf of Diageo and the board, I would like to thank Debra for her contributions to Diageo, including steering the company through the challenging aftermath of the global pandemic and the ensuing geopolitical and macroeconomic volatility. On behalf of all Diageo colleagues, I wish her every success in the future. The Board’s focus is on securing the best candidate to lead Diageo and take the company forward. We strongly believe Diageo is well placed to deliver long-term, sustainable value creation.”

Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, saw a huge decline in the company shares since Crew took over, according to a report in a financial daily in the UK. Her career as CEO began with slump in sales in Latin America and during her tenure Crew was not able to convince investors that the decline in sales was not due to operational reasons, but due to a cyclical downturn. Diageo now states that its guidance for fiscal 2025 and 2026 remains unchanged.

Diageo India appoints Praveen Someshwar as CEO-Designate, Hina Nagarajan to Global Executive position

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United Spirits Limited (“Diageo India”) on January 13 announced the appointment of Praveen Someshwar as CEO-Designate. Hina Nagarajan, current Managing Director and CEO of Diageo India, will transition into another position on Diageo’s Global Executive Committee after four very successful years.

Praveen will join the company on 1 March 2025 as CEO-Designate. In accordance with the applicable law and upon receipt of the necessary approvals, Praveen will take over from Hina Nagarajan as Managing Director and CEO of Diageo India and join the Diageo Executive Committee, effective 1 April 2025.

For the last five years, Praveen has been MD and CEO of HT Media, one of India’s largest and best-known media groups, where he leads multiple digital, print and radio outlets including India’s second largest newspaper, Hindustan Times, the leading financial news outlet Mint, and several radio outlets.

Diageo Chief Executive Debra Crew said “Under Hina’s leadership, Diageo India has combined strong top-line growth and margin expansion with impactful strategic initiatives, reshaping and premiumising our portfolio and positioning Diageo India as an innovative leader in the AlcoBev industry. As she moves on to a new role within Diageo, she leaves a significant track record of success and a highly engaged, talented and diverse team.

“Praveen joins us with an outstanding track record of leading consumer businesses, with a passion for both strategy and executional excellence that will serve us well as we plan for the next phase of Diageo India’s exciting growth story. I can’t wait to welcome him on board.”

Mahendra Kumar Sharma, Chairman of the USL board, said “On behalf of the USL Board, we wish to extend our sincere thanks to Hina for her strong stewardship of the business and her partnership with the Board. Together with the team in India, she has led a bold ambition for growth that has driven market share gains across multiple categories, and she leaves the business with a clear strategy and growth momentum. The Board and I also wish to welcome Praveen, who we look forward to working with and offering our full support as he transitions into this important leadership position.”

Hina Nagarajan said “It has been a true privilege to lead Diageo India during a period of strong strategic progress and sustained, profitable double-digit growth for the business, with our market capitalisation growing to more than INR 1 trillion (~US$ 12.5 Bn). I wish all my Diageo India colleagues ongoing success and look forward to supporting them as they continue their work in building this fantastic business under Praveen’s leadership.”

Praveen Someshwar said “I am delighted to be joining Diageo – a business with world-leading brands, talented colleagues, and a long-term commitment to developing its business sustainably in India. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to build on their great work.”