A former Aberdeen oil boss has appointed as chairman at global drinks giant Diageo.
Sir John Manzoni - who previously held senior positions at both bp and Talisman - will take up his new position in February 2025 when current chairman Javier Ferran steps down.
Sir John joined the Diageo Board in October 2020, having been chief executive of the UK Civil Service from 2014 to 2020. He is currently Chair of FTSE-listed multinational energy business SSE plc and a non-executive director of engineering and technology business KBR, Inc.
Earlier in his career John served as president and chief executive officer of Talisman Energy, and held a number of senior executive roles at BP plc during his time in the North-east.
Reacting to his new role this morning, Sir John said: “It will be a privilege to take on this role and to succeed Javier, whose leadership and acumen have been so valuable to our business and to board colleagues.
“Since joining the board, I have been continually impressed by the growth potential of the organisation, the quality of our brands, and the dedication and high standards of Diageo colleagues around the world. Diageo has an unrivalled portfolio, a global footprint and world-leading capabilities, and I look forward to supporting the executive team to ensure that we deliver on our potential.”
Debra Crew, chief executive, said: “Javier has been an invaluable source of strategic counsel and advice for me and our wider leadership team, and I want to thank him personally for the role he has played in stewarding the business so successfully.
“With a strong focus on execution, we will continue to invest behind our iconic brands to create value for shareholders and maintain our position as an industry leader in total beverage alcohol, an attractive sector with a long runway for growth. I look forward to working with John as chair and the rest of the board to achieve those ambitions.”