Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, February 2025 – Praveen Someshwar has taken on the role of Managing Director & CEO at Diageo India, bringing with him a wealth of leadership experience spanning multiple industries. His transition from the media sector to the beverage industry marks a significant career move, reflecting his ability to lead large-scale transformations.
At HT Media Group, where he served as Managing Director & CEO, he played a crucial role in digital transformation, AI-driven journalism, and audience engagement strategies, positioning the company as a forward-thinking media powerhouse. His tenure at HT Media helped drive a technology-first approach, integrating AI and data analytics to strengthen media operations.
Before his time in the media industry, Someshwar spent over two decades at PepsiCo, where he held multiple leadership positions across India and Asia. During his tenure, he specialized in strategic growth, financial planning, and market expansion. As Senior Vice President & General Manager for PepsiCo in North Asia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, he led operations across these regions and played a vital role in the company’s business expansion.
His leadership extended to CEO roles in PepsiCo India, where he managed both the food and beverage divisions, overseeing iconic brands like Lays, Kurkure, and Quaker, as well as spearheading category growth in the Indian snacks and beverage markets. He also served as Chief Financial Officer and Strategy & Planning Director for South Asia, where he was instrumental in franchise development and business restructuring.
Earlier in his career, Someshwar held significant positions at ICI Paints and KPMG, where he developed expertise in finance, business strategy, and operational efficiency. His ability to transform businesses through data-driven decision-making and market insights has consistently set him apart in every role he has undertaken.
At Diageo India, he will focus on premiumization, market expansion, and digital innovation, leveraging his expertise in business transformation to strengthen the company’s leadership in the evolving beverage industry. He succeeds Hina Nagarajan, who has transitioned into a global role. His appointment marks a new phase of growth for Diageo India, reinforcing its position as a leader in the premium alcohol market.
About Diageo India
Diageo India is among the country’s leading beverage alcohol companies and a subsidiary of global leader Diageo Plc. The company manufactures, sells, and distributes an outstanding portfolio of premium brands, including Johnnie Walker, Black Dog, Black & White, VAT 69, Antiquity, Signature, The Singleton, Royal Challenge, McDowell’s No.1, Smirnoff, Ketel One, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, and Godawan, an artisanal single malt whisky from India.
Headquartered in Bengaluru, Diageo India operates with a committed team of over 3,000 employees and 37 manufacturing facilities across India, supported by a robust distribution network and a state-of-the-art Technical Centre. Incorporated in India as United Spirits Limited (USL), the company is listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), continuing to drive innovation and premiumization in the beverage market.
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