Sir Ivan Menezes, the long-serving CEO of spirits behemoth Diageo – the world’s largest spirits company – has died at the age of 63 after a short illness. Menezes had been in the hospital being treated for several undisclosed medical conditions including a stomach ulcer.
Since 2013, Menezes had been the chief executive of Diageo, producer of brands including Guinness beer and Johnnie Walker blended whisky.
Diageo’s market value nearly doubled under the leadership of Menezes, who was recently [January 2023] knighted under King Charles in the UK for services to business and equality.
Diageo has announced that Debra Crew would become interim chief executive.