E-Malt.com News article: Europe and Africa: Diageo names new Africa and Europe presidents

Johnnie Walker owner Diageo has appointed new presidents for Africa and Europe as John Kennedy leaves the business after 30 years, The Spirits Business reported on February 27.

Former Diageo India managing director Hina Nagarajan will step into the role of president for Africa, while Dayalan Nayager (current president of Diageo Africa) will reshuffle to president of Diageo Europe, taking over from Kennedy.

Kennedy has led Diageo’s European operations on an interim basis since January 2024, having been involved in the company for 30 years.

The leadership switches will officially come into play from 1 April 2025.

On LinkedIn, Nagarajan commented on her next chapter: “This will be my second stint in Africa, where I previously served as managing director of Africa Emerging Markets.

“This is an incredible opportunity to work with our talented teams across the region and continue driving growth and innovation in one of the most dynamic markets in the world. Over the past four years as managing director (MD) and 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. I would like to take a moment to reflect on what we have achieved and celebrated together.”

During Nagarajan’s period leading Diageo India, business growth was said to have nearly tripled in the years 2021-2023 compared to 2016-2021.

Praveen Someshwar will become CEO for Diageo’s Indian business, United Spirits, from 1 March.

Meanwhile, Diageo expressed gratitude to John Kennedy for looking after the company’s European business over the past year.

On LinkedIn, the company posted: “We want to express our thanks to John Kennedy for his strong stewardship of the Europe business on an interim basis since January 2024. John completed his 30-year tenure at Diageo in 2023 and was a member of the Diageo executive team for 10 of those years.”

His successor, Nayager, will retain his wider responsibilities as Diageo’s chief commercial officer.

Over the last 12 years, Dayalan has headed several of the Diageo’s businesses in Europe, including Great Britain, Ireland and France, and also ran its global travel retail (GTR) business.

In Diageo’s financial results for the six months to December 2024, the company saw its saw its organic sales rise by 1%.

The company sees no/low as a ‘big opportunity’ and will also look to boost Casamigos with a new campaign, following the Tequila brand’s double-digit sales drop.


27 February, 2025