Diageo, the world’s largest drinks producer and owner of Guinness, has appointed former Tesco boss Sir Dave Lewis as its new chief executive, signalling a strategic move to revitalise the company amid industry challenges. Lewis’s appointment comes as Diageo seeks to turn around recent sluggish performance and reassert its position as a global leader in spirits and brewing.
Sir Dave Lewis, who will officially take over as CEO in January 2026, is widely recognised for his transformative tenure at Tesco and nearly three decades in senior roles with Unilever. Diageo Chair Sir John Manzoni highlighted the significance of the appointment, stating: “We are delighted to welcome Dave as Diageo’s new CEO. Having conducted an extensive and thorough global search, the Board unanimously felt that Dave has both the extensive CEO experience, and the proven leadership skills in building and marketing world-leading brands, that is right for Diageo at this time.”
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He added, “We are confident that Dave will work with the team to take Diageo into its next successful chapter in the evolving consumer environment. The Board wishes to recognise and thank Nik Jhangiani for his excellent leadership as Interim CEO and for continuing to drive forward Diageo’s sharpened strategy”.
Commenting on his appointment, Sir Dave Lewis expressed both optimism and realism about the task ahead: “Diageo is a world leading business with a portfolio of very strong brands, and I am delighted to be joining the team. The market faces some headwinds but there are also significant opportunities. I look forward to working with the team to face these challenges and realise some of the opportunities in a way which creates shareholder value”.
The company’s decision comes at a time when Diageo is contending with shifting consumer habits, supply chain uncertainty, and increased global competition. Lewis’s appointment has been welcomed by industry analysts and observers, who believe his track record in marketing, operational leadership, and strategic turnarounds positions Diageo to regain momentum in critical markets.
