Diageo, a multinational liquor giant, has brought in Roland Abella, its chief executive, West Asia and North Africa, as managing director of Indian operations. He succeeds Asif Adil, who resigned earlier this week.
The change at the helm at Diageo India comes when Diageo Plc, the parent company, is in talks to acquire at least 15 per cent in Vijay Mallya’s United Spirits, which has over 55 per cent share of the Indian spirits market.
Adil was unavailable for comment, but a company statement said he had stepped down to pursue new horizons. Adil had joined Diageo in 2006 and took its operations from 75 to 270 people.
Diageo’s market share in West Asia and North Africa regions is 60-65 per cent.
“The West Asia and North Africa markets are twice the size of the Indian market for Diageo and we are the leaders there. Hence, we found that Abella will be a good fit for Diageo’s India operations, as we get ready to move into a new phase of growth in India,” said a company spokesperson.
John Pollaers, president, Diageo Asia Pacific, who was in India to announce the change, said: “Roland’s appointment underlines the importance of the Indian business to Diageo. He brings in substantial experience from Diageo’s West Asia and North Africa business and from his earlier role as commercial director for West Asia and India. He is known for his brand marketing expertise, his entrepreneurial leadership and his strong commitment to our people, brands and customer relationships in Diageo.”
The company, which owns brands like Johnnie Walker, a super-premium Scotch whisky, and Smirnoff, a premium vodka, has introduced brands like Shark Tooth vodka, Black & White and Vat 69 scotch whiskies, as well as Bailey’s liquor in India in recent years.
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Despite slowing in the past six months, “the India operations reported the highest growth for Diageo, at 42 per cent, for June to December 2008 period”, Adil had told Business Standard in a recent interview.
Speaking of the Indian business, Pollaers said: “We are very pleased with the progress. Over the past two years, we have taken significant strides in expanding our distribution and developing our brand presence in India.”