India-born Ivan Menezes was today named as the next boss of Diageo - the world's biggest producer of alcoholic drinks - the maker of popular Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka.
53-year-old Menezes, the current Chief Operating Officer, will replace Paul Walsh as the Chief Executive Officer of the British company on July 1.
Walsh, 58, is retiring after being at helm of the company for 13 years.
To ensure a smooth transition, Walsh will stay on for one year before retiring on June 30, 2014, the London-based company said in a statement.
"Ivan Menezes will be appointed Chief Executive of Diageo with effect from 1 July, 2013. Paul Walsh, who will step down from the Board at the September 2013 Annual General Meeting, will retire from the company on 30 June 2014," it said in the statement.
"We are delighted to have a leader of Ivan's talents and global experience to succeed Paul. The handover is being made at a time when the business is strong and Ivan takes on the role of CEO at an exciting stage of the company's global development," said Franz B Humer, the Chairman of Diageo.
"The Board is confident that Ivan will inspire our organisation and Diageo will continue to achieve our medium-term performance objectives."
He also termed Walsh as an "outstanding Chief Executive".
"The Board is immensely grateful for his ambitious and thoughtful stewardship of the business and its people. The transition process which has been put in place enables Paul to contribute his knowledge and experience during Ivan's first year as Chief Executive Officer," said Humer.
Menezes holds a BA degree in Economics from St Stephen's College, Delhi and a PG Diploma from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Menezes previously worked with Nestle in Asia, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Inc in North America and Whirlpool in Europe.
Besides Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff, Diageo's brands include Crown Royal, JeB, Buchanan's, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. Diageo entered the Indian made foreign liquor segment with the launch of Rowson's Reserve, a premium IMFL whisky.
