London, United Kingdom, September 2025 — Dave Lewis has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Diageo, effective 2026. This appointment marks a pivotal leadership transition at the global beverages giant, known for iconic brands such as Johnnie Walker and Guinness. Lewis will be responsible for steering the company’s long-term strategic transformation at a time when the organization is focused on re-energizing growth and strengthening margin performance following its revised sales and profit outlook for FY 2026.
Dave Lewis brings decades of global leadership experience to Diageo. He is widely recognized for his tenure as CEO of Tesco, where he led one of the most significant corporate turnarounds in UK retail history, stabilizing operations, restoring consumer trust, and returning the business to growth. Following his time at Tesco, Lewis founded On the Shop Floor, a consultancy designed to help retailers improve in-store customer experience, optimize operational execution, and drive value through practical, end-to-end retail solutions.
Before establishing his consultancy practice, Lewis held impactful leadership roles across major global retail organizations including Marks & Spencer, Southeastern Grocers, Target Australia, and Coles Supermarkets. Earlier, during his time at Tesco Personal Finance and support centre roles within Tesco Group, he gained extensive experience in brand strategy, operational transformation, and commercial growth.
Lewis’ appointment underscores Diageo’s commitment to deep operational insight, consumer-centric growth, and disciplined business execution. His leadership will be focused on strengthening Diageo’s brand portfolio performance, accelerating global market competitiveness, and delivering sustainable financial outcomes.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in premium beverages, with a world-class portfolio of spirits and beer, including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys, Tanqueray, and Guinness. With over 200 brands sold in 180 countries, Diageo is headquartered in London and employs more than 30,000 people across 135+ countries. The company is committed to building iconic brands responsibly, driving industry innovation, and creating a positive impact for communities and the planet.
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