Diageo Names Dave Lewis CEO to Lead Culture Transformation

Diageo has named Sir Dave Lewis, former Group CEO of Tesco plc, as its next Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, effective 1 January 2025.

His appointment follows the unexpected departure of Debra Crew in July 2025 and concludes a months-long leadership search aimed at securing a change agent to revitalise both performance and organisational focus at the global drinks maker.

Chief Financial Officer Nik Jhangiani, who stepped in as interim CEO following Debra’s departure, will continue in the role through the end of the year before resuming his position as CFO.

Chair of the Board Sir John Manzoni said the leadership transition reflects Diageo’s commitment to securing an experienced, people-focused leader capable of guiding the company through a period of renewal.

“We are delighted to welcome Dave as Diageo’s new CEO,” John said. “Having conducted an extensive and thorough global search, the Board unanimously felt that Dave has both the extensive CEO experience and the proven leadership skills in building and marketing world-leading brands, that is right for Diageo at this time.”

A people-driven leader with cross-sector experience

Dave is widely respected for his ability to transform organisational culture and drive sustainable turnaround. Bringing three decades of experience from Unilever and six years leading Tesco, he is known for his decisive, people-oriented management style and strong record in employee engagement during times of structural change.

At Tesco, where he served as CEO from 2014 to 2020, Dave led one of the UK’s most significant corporate transformations. Taking charge at a time when the retailer faced market turbulence and declining trust, he reshaped the business with a clear focus on rebuilding cultural values, customer confidence, and employee morale.

Under his leadership, Tesco closed 43 loss-making stores, streamlined operations, and reconnected its workforce to the company’s core mission. By FY2019/20, Tesco’s UK and Ireland business reported healthier margins and improved employee sentiment following years of instability.

Prior to Tesco, Dave spent 30 years at Unilever, where his approach to team alignment and transparent communication earned him the nickname “Drastic Dave” for his strategic precision balanced with humanity.

He also served as Chair of Haleon, the global consumer healthcare company, and acted as the UK government’s supply chain adviser during the Covid-19 pandemic, coordinating industry partnerships that depended heavily on cross-functional collaboration.

Aligning teams for growth

The CEO’s appointment comes as Diageo faces softening sales and the need to strengthen its global workforce alignment behind a unified strategy. The company saw net sales fall in FY2024, with a marked slump across Latin America and the Caribbean, followed by a 2.2% decline in the first quarter of FY2026.

John and the Board see Dave’s inclusive leadership style and brand-building mindset as essential to revitalising morale and performance across Diageo’s 30,000-strong global workforce.

Discussing his appointment, Dave said: “Diageo is a world leading business with a portfolio of very strong brands, and I am delighted to be joining the team.

“The market faces some headwinds but there are also significant opportunities. I look forward to working with the team to face these challenges and realise some of the opportunities in a way which creates shareholder value.”

Navigating a leadership transition

Dave’s appointment follows what the Board described as a “mutual agreement” for Debra Crew to step down in mid-2025 after just over two years in the top role.

During her tenure, Debra helped stabilise Diageo post-pandemic and navigate geopolitical and supply chain challenges that tested both company culture and operational resilience.

Reflecting on her departure, John said: “On behalf of Diageo and the board, I would like to thank Debra for her contributions to Diageo, including steering the company through the challenging aftermath of the global pandemic and the ensuing geopolitical and macroeconomic volatility.

"On behalf of all Diageo colleagues, I wish her every success in the future.”

As interim leader, Nik has guided the business through the transition period, providing continuity and stability across teams.

His steady stewardship has helped maintain operational focus and employee confidence as the company prepares for the next chapter under Dave's leadership.

Dave's arrival signals not just new commercial priorities but a renewed emphasis on people, purpose, and the strength of Diageo’s leadership culture.