Diageo Announces Changes To Executive Committee; Nick Blazquez To Step Down

(RTTNews) - U.K.-based brewer Diageo plc (DGE.L, DEO) announced changes to its Executive Committee, noting that Nick Blazquez will step down from the executive committee on 30 June 2016.

The company said that after 27 years with the business, Nick Blazquez will leave Diageo to pursue new opportunities and challenges. Blazquez will continue as a Diageo nominee non-executive director on the United Spirits Limited or USL Board until the end of the calendar year, but will step down from the Diageo Executive Committee in June.

At that time, John Kennedy, currently President, Europe, Russia and Turkey, and Alberto Gavazzi, currently President, Latin America and Caribbean, will expand their responsibilities. Kennedy will partner with Anand Kripalu, CEO USL, in delivering Diageo's growth opportunity in India.

Diageo will nominate Kennedy to replace Blazquez as Diageo's senior non-executive director on the USL Board. Gavazzi will take accountability for Diageo's GTME business and the Global Sales Operational Excellence agenda.

Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive of Diageo, said,"I will not be replacing Nick's role as I am taking this opportunity to maximise the deployment of our executive talent against the highest value opportunities for Diageo and I congratulate John and Alberto on their new responsibilities."