Sir Ivan Menezes, the long-serving CEO of Diageo, the world’s largest spirits maker, has passed away at the age of 63 after a brief illness. Menezes had been hospitalized and receiving treatment for various medical conditions, including a stomach ulcer. Diageo, known for brands such as Guinness, Smirnoff, Gordon’s gin, and Johnnie Walker whisky, announced that Menezes had experienced a “significant setback” over the weekend due to complications.
As a result of Menezes’ health issues, Debra Crew was appointed as interim chief executive with immediate effect, taking over the role ahead of Menezes’ planned retirement at the end of June. Javier Ferrán, the chair of Diageo, expressed deep sadness over Menezes’ passing and praised him as one of the finest leaders of his generation. Menezes had been instrumental in shaping Diageo over the past 25 years, making it one of the most successful and respected consumer companies globally. His commitment to building world-class brands remained unwavering throughout his tenure.
Under Menezes’ leadership, Diageo’s market value nearly doubled from £42bn to £75bn. He is particularly known for the iconic “Keep Walking” advertising campaign for Johnnie Walker, which played a significant role in reviving the brand’s image. In recognition of his achievements, Menezes was knighted for his contributions to business and equality in the New Year Honours list.
Having initially worked at Guinness before its merger with Grand Metropolitan in 1997 to form Diageo, Menezes played a key role in numerous accomplishments during his time as CEO. One notable achievement was Guinness becoming the top-selling beer by value in British bars and restaurants in December. Additionally, Menezes successfully led Diageo’s recovery efforts following the pandemic’s impact on the hospitality industry, resulting in net sales value surpassing 2019 levels by 36%.
Menezes, a citizen of the UK, US, and India, leaves behind a significant legacy at Diageo. The company estimates that it now accounts for 10% of the UK’s total food and drink exports. Javier Ferrán expressed condolences on behalf of the board, executive committee, and employees of Diageo to Menezes’ family, including his wife Shibani and their children Nikhil and Rohini.
