Diageo has signalled plans for a far-reaching shake-up of its international business alongside the exit of two senior executives.
Stuart Fletcher, president of Diageo International, and chief customer officer Ron Anderson are both to leave the Guinness brewer, which aims to crank up its focus on emerging markets.
The company’s international arm will be split into two “autonomous regions”, Latin America & Caribbean and Africa, while the central sales and commercial functions will be subsumed into the regional businesses. Randy Millian and Nick Blazquez will continue to lead the Latin American and African arms respectively.
An “employee consultation process” has also begun concerning “significant changes” proposed to the European business, prompting fears of looming job losses.
Chief executive Paul Walsh said the review aimed to “ensure that all our resources are deployed closer to the market, in those areas where the potential for growth is greatest”.
“The regional variation in the pace of economic growth has created significant change and new opportunities for Diageo as a global business,” he said.
“Over the next few months we will consult with our employees on further changes to our operating model and I expect to make an announcement at our preliminary results in August as to the full extent of these changes.
“The main driver of these changes will be to focus on growth and create a more cost-effective organisation.”
Fletcher, described by Walsh as the man who “shaped” the organisational changes, and Anderson will stay with the company during a “transitional” period.
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