Diageo CEO awarded knighthood

Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes, who has been at the helm of the drinks giant since 2013, was named Knight Bachelor in the New Year Honours List for services to business and equality.

According to the list, which also includes the likes of Queen’s Brian May and artist Grayson Perry: “[Menezes] has transformed Diageo into the world’s leading premium drinks company, accounting for 10% (£2 billion) of the UK’s total food and drinks exports.”

It continues: “He champions for both women and the BAME [black and minority ethnic] community in British business and today, 42% of Diageo’s senior leadership positions globally are held by women, while 37% are ethnically diverse.” It also cites his role as chairman of Movement to Work from 2017 to 2020, which tackles youth unemployment, and his involvement with the British-Asian Trust’s Founders Circle.

Menezes, who was born in India, is one of Britain’s longest-serving FTSE chief executives. Before becoming CEO of the company known for brands such as Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Tanqueray, Menezes (separately) served as Diageo’s COO, North America president, Asia Pacific chairman and Latin America and Caribbean chairman. He became an executive director in July 2012.

Responding to the publication of the list, Menezes said: “I am incredibly honoured to receive this award on behalf of my 28,000 colleagues in Diageo. Their creativity, passion and drive has enabled Diageo, a British company, to become a truly global leader, making a positive contribution to the communities we serve. Everyone at Diageo is committed to shaping a more sustainable and inclusive business and society and I am very proud to accept this honour in recognition of what has been achieved so far.”

Last summer, following a strong set of FY results, Menezes received a £6.3 million bonus.