Spirits Giant’s CEO Steps Down

Debra Crew led Diageo for just over two years.

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The CEO of Diageo has stepped down after just more than two years leading the spirits giant, company officials announced Tuesday.

Debra Crew left the position — along with her spot on the company’s board — by “mutual agreement” and with “immediate effect,” the announcement added. 

Nik Jhangiani, the company’s CFO, will serve as interim CEO while Diageo conducts a “comprehensive formal search process” for a new permanent chief executive.

Crew first joined Diageo as a non-executive director in 2019. She later served as president of Diageo North America and as group COO before taking over as CEO in June of 2023.

Diageo Chairman John Manzoni thanked Crew in a statement and credited her for “steering the company through the challenging aftermath of the global pandemic and the ensuing geopolitical and macroeconomic volatility.”

“The board’s focus is on securing the best candidate to lead Diageo and take the company forward,” Manzoni said. “We strongly believe Diageo is well placed to deliver long-term, sustainable value creation.”

The company’s guidance for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years remains unchanged.

Diageo, based in London, owns a wide range of liquor and beer brands, including Captain Morgan, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness.

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