- By Annabelle Liang
- business reporter
Jun 8, 2023 4:53 AM BST
Updated 1 hour ago
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Sir Ivan Menezes
Sir Ivan Menezes, CEO of the world’s largest spirits maker Diageo, has died at the age of 63.
The British-American citizen was born in the Indian city of Pune. He should be retiring at the end of the month.
Earlier this week, the company said Menezes was in the hospital with a stomach ulcer, among other things.
“This is an incredibly sad day. Ivan was undoubtedly one of the best leaders of his generation,” said Diageo Chairman Javier Ferrán.
“Ivan helped found Diageo and for over 25 years has built Diageo into one of the best performing, most trusted and most respected consumer companies,” added Mr. Ferrán.
Prior to Diageo, he held marketing and strategy positions at major companies including food and beverage giant Nestlé.
Menezes joined Diageo in 1997 when the company was formed through the merger of brewing giant Guinness and London-based conglomerate Grand Metropolitan.
He has held several senior positions within the company throughout his career and was appointed CEO in July 2013.
“Deeply authentic”
Great business leaders have paid tribute to Menezes.
Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan said in a LinkedIn post that he was doing an internship at a company in London where Menezes is “an executive on the move.”
“Over the years our paths have crossed in the US, India and finally London – as two CEOs of Indian origin guiding companies through a very difficult Covid time,” he said.
“He was stylish, bold, kind, considerate and downright humble – a true ‘gentle giant’ of leader,” added Mr. Narasimhan.
Alexandre Ricard, chairman and chief executive officer of French drinks company Pernod Ricard, said Menezes was one of the first to congratulate him on his appointment in 2015.
“In a competitive business environment, Ivan remained a deeply authentic and authentic person,” Mr. Ricard said on LinkedIn. “Rest in peace.”
During his career, Menezes has also held several senior positions at Diageo.
As the company’s global marketing director, he was behind the legendary Johnnie Walker campaign, Keep Walking, which began in 1999.
Continuing the campaign, the Scotch Whiskey brand said it embodies “our desire for progress, the fuel to overcome adversity and the joy of unfiltered optimism.”
In 2012, Menezes was named CEO of Diageo and was appointed to the company’s board of directors. A year later he was promoted to Managing Director.
Under his leadership, the company’s sales grew through the acquisition of several brands, including Filipino rum brand Don Papa.
Diageo currently has more than 200 brands that it markets in over 180 countries.
Earlier this year, the company announced that Menezes would retire on June 30 after a decade as CEO.
He was to be succeeded by Managing Director Debra Crew.
On Monday, Ms Crew was appointed interim managing director of Diageo as Menezes was on medical treatment.
He was knighted at King Charles’ first New Year’s awards for his services to business and equality.
Menezes is survived by his wife Shibani and their two children, Nikhil and Rohini.