World: Diageo chief executive reportedly planning a major shake-up of executive team

New Diageo chief executive Dave Lewis is planning a major shake-up of his executive team, the Financial Times reported on February 20, citing people familiar with the matter.

Lewis is looking to replace several members of the company's 14-person executive committee, the report said, adding that he aims to push through a "wholesale change", likely stripping out entire layers of Diageo’s management.

Diageo declined to comment on the Financial Times report.

Diageo appointed former Tesco boss Lewis as CEO in November last year, turning to an outsider to revive growth at the world's largest spirits maker during a challenging period.

Lewis, who is known for fixing businesses through cost-cutting, earning the nickname "Drastic Dave", has been tasked with turning around the Johnnie Walker whisky and Guinness maker, which is grappling with tariff hikes in the US, its biggest market.

20 February, 2026