Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, February 2025 – Hina Nagarajan has been appointed as President of Diageo Africa, effective April 1, 2025. As part of the Executive Committee at Diageo Plc, she will lead Diageo’s operations across Africa, marking her second tenure in the region, having previously served as Managing Director of Africa Emerging Markets.
Reflecting on her journey, Nagarajan said:
“Over the past four years as MD & CEO of DIAGEO India, it has been my honour to lead a passionate and dedicated team. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones, delivered a strong financial performance, navigated challenges, and celebrated numerous successes. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished.”
“As I step into my new role in Africa, my commitment remains steadfast in fostering a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and sustainability. Together, we will continue to deliver exceptional experiences to our consumers and make a positive impact on our communities. After all, it’s a business of better, where profit and purpose go hand in hand.”
Nagarajan has been with Diageo Plc for over six years, joining the company in 2018 as Managing Director of Africa Emerging Markets. In this role, she played a pivotal part in expanding Diageo’s presence across key African markets, driving business transformation and strategic growth initiatives.
In 2021, she was promoted to Member of Diageo’s Global Executive Committee and MD & CEO of Diageo India, leading one of the company’s most dynamic markets. Under her leadership, Diageo India saw a near tripling of business growth from 2021 to 2023, strengthened its premiumization strategy, and exceeded water replenishment and ESG targets well ahead of schedule.
Prior to joining Diageo, Nagarajan spent five years at Reckitt as Senior Vice President, Regional Director North Asia, overseeing operations in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Before that, she served as Managing Director for Reckitt in Malaysia & Singapore, leading market expansion and consumer engagement strategies.
Her earlier career includes six years as CEO and Managing Director at Mary Kay Cosmetics India, where she led the company’s market entry and establishment in India. Additionally, she held senior leadership roles at ICI Paints India and Nestlé India, where she managed marketing, innovation, and business development across key consumer segments.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in the premium drinks industry, offering a diverse portfolio of over 200 brands sold in 180 countries. From iconic spirits like Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Tanqueray to local legends, Diageo has built an extensive global and regional presence.
With over 30,000 employees across 135+ countries, Diageo is committed to driving sustainable business growth, fostering inclusion, and investing in innovation to remain at the forefront of the alcoholic beverage industry.
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