Diageo Appoints Sir John Manzoni As Non-Executive Director

Spirits giant Diageo has announced the appointment of Sir John Manzoni to its board as a non-executive director, effective 1 October 2020.

Commenting on the appointment, Diageo chairman, Javier Ferrán, said, “John’s [Manzoni] commercial acumen and business knowledge, together with his more recent experience, combined with his previous non-executive director role in the beverage industry, will bring unique insight and expertise to the discussions at the Diageo Board."

An Experienced Professional

Manzoni has stepped down from his most recent role as the chief executive of the Civil Service and permanent secretary to the Cabinet Office in the UK, a position he held from 2014.

Between 2007 and 2012, he served as the president and chief executive of Talisman Energy in Canada.

Prior to this, he held several roles in BP including that of chief executive of gas and power and refining and marketing divisions.

Manzoni graduated from the Imperial College London and Stanford University in California and has served as a non-executive director of SAB Miller plc from 2004 to 2014.

Other Changes

Elsewhere, non-executive director Lord Davies of Abersoch has decided to retire from the company on 30 June 2020.

Lord Davies was a part of Diageo plc’s Board of Directors for over nine years and has served as Chair of the Remuneration Committee and as a Senior Independent Director.

In 2019, his term on the Board was extended to enable the company to benefit from his experience in British politics and international trade relations at a time of particular uncertainty around Brexit.

Ferrán thanked Lord Davies for his service to the company and said, “The Board has benefited from his extensive experience, both in industry and in government affairs.

"He has made a valuable contribution to Board discussions, developed good relationships across the business, and made a strong contribution to our governance and decision-making processes during his tenure.”