Diageo CEO Sir Ivan Menezes dies at 63

In his 25 years, Sir Ivan has «made Diageo one of the most efficient, reliable and respected consumer companies.» Isabelle

Sir Ivan Menezes, longtime CEO of beverage giant Diageo, has died at the age of 63 after a short illness.

The King knighted him in his first New Year's list of honors, Sir Ivan has led the Guinness and Johnny Walker maker since 2013.

On Monday, the company announced that new chief executive Debra Crew took up her new post a month early after Sir Ivan suffered complications from emergency gastric ulcer surgery .

The share price of producer Johnnie Walker Diageo has risen about 23% over the past five years, boosted by rising demand for premium spirits before and during the pandemic. In the year to June 2022, its sales rose by 21.4% to £15.5 billion.

Diageo Chairman Javier Ferran said: “This is an incredibly sad day. Ivan was undoubtedly one of the best leaders of his generation.

“Ivan was involved in the creation of Diageo and over 25 years has built Diageo into one of the most efficient, most trusted and respected consumer companies.

“I have seen firsthand his unwavering commitment to our people and the creation of a culture that would allow everyone to prosper. He invested his time and energy in people at all levels of the company and saw potential that others might not see. This is one of the many reasons our employees past and present have loved him.

«Ivan's energy and commitment to diversity has created a truly inclusive business and allowed Diageo to make a positive impact in the communities where we we are working. serve. His passion for our brands was unsurpassed, and at heart he has been Johnnie Walker's marketer since his early days. The desire to create the world's best brands never left him.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to work alongside such a thoughtful and passionate colleague and friend – a true gentleman. He left an outstanding legacy.

“Ivan left behind many friends and a beloved family, and our thoughts are mainly with his wife Shibani and his two children, Nikhil and Rohini. On behalf of the board, the executive committee and all our employees, we express our deepest condolences to them.”