Diageo appoints Debra Crew as its first female CEO

Diageo PLC has appointed Debra Crew as its first female chief executive, one of the nine women to lead an FTSE 100 company. Crew will assume the top leadership position after serving as the chief operating officer. Diageo’s decision to promote Crew reflects their confidence in her abilities and vision for the company’s future.

Before her appointment as chief operating officer in October 2022, Crew was the head of Diageo’s business in North America. She joined the company in 2019 and previously held a leadership role at Reynolds American, a tobacco firm that BAT later acquired. Before that, Crew gained valuable experience during her five-year tenure at PepsiCo and worked at Kraft Foods, Nestlé, and Mars throughout her career.

Only nine of the UK’s top 100 listed companies are led by female CEOs. These accomplished women include:

1. Dame Alison Rose – CEO of NatWest
2. Amanda Blanc – CEO of Aviva
3. Dame Emma Walmsley – CEO of GSK
4. Jette Nygaard-Andersen – CEO of Entain
5. Liv Garfield – CEO of Severn Trent
6. Jennie Daly – CEO of Taylor Wimpey
7. Margherita Della Valle – Interim CEO of Vodafone
8. Milena Mondini de Focatiis – CEO of Admiral
9. Louise Beardmore – CEO of United Utilities

Prof. Dr. Amarendra Bhushan Dhiraj, chief executive of the CEOWORLD magazine, said: “These individuals have reached the top positions in their respective companies, demonstrating their leadership capabilities and contributions to their industries. While the number of female CEOs in the UK’s top companies is still relatively low, their presence and success inspire aspiring women leaders.”

“Our research supports the notion that when women assume CEO positions, there tends to be a higher likelihood of achieving gender balance within executive teams. This finding emphasizes the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of leadership. It is commendable that Diageo has appointed a female CEO, and I encourage other companies to follow suit swiftly. Closing the gender gap and fostering equal representation within executive teams is a matter of fairness and a strategic advantage for organizations in today’s diverse and globalized business landscape.”

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