UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
23 September 2026
Commission File Number: 001-10691
DIAGEO plc
(Translation
of registrant’s name into English)
16 Great Marlborough Street, London, United Kingdom, W1F 7HS
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form
20-F X
Form
40-F
Diageo plc
LEI: 213800ZVIELEA55JMJ32
23 September 2026
Diageo announces Joanne Wilson as new Chief Financial
Officer
Diageo plc ("Diageo") today announces that Joanne Wilson will join
the company as Chief Financial Officer, joining Diageo's Board and
Executive Committee some time in 2027, replacing Nik
Jhangiani.
Joanne is currently CFO of WPP plc, having previously held senior
financial and commercial roles at drinks company Britvic,
dunnhumby, the global leader in customer data science, Tesco and
KPMG, where she qualified as a chartered accountant.
Nik joined Diageo from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in September
2024 and was interim Chief Executive from July to December 2025,
overseeing the Accelerate programme and a focus on cash delivery,
operational excellence and cost efficiency.
Sir Dave Lewis, Chief Executive, Diageo said:
"It is a real pleasure working with Nik and I would like to thank
him for his support to me and his significant contribution to
Diageo. Nik and I have agreed that, now we have shared our new
Strategy, this is the right time for this change. Nik will remain
in role to ensure a smooth handover to Joanne.
Joanne is a very experienced CFO and commercial leader who will
ensure we accelerate the turnaround of Diageo, having already
delivered extensive transformations in her previous companies. I am
looking forward to welcoming her to Diageo and the Executive
team."
Sir John Manzoni, Chair, Diageo said:
"The Board is grateful to Nik for everything that he has achieved
with Diageo in repositioning the business to enable improved
delivery of sustainable growth and shareholder value. I am
delighted to welcome Joanne to the Board and look forward to her
contribution to delivering the next phase of Diageo's
transformation."
Joanne Wilson said:
"I am delighted to be joining Dave and the entire Diageo team at
such an exciting point in the company's journey. Diageo has a
unique portfolio of global brands and a clear strategy with
significant opportunities ahead. I very much look forward to
working together with all colleagues to consistently create value
for shareholders and strong outcomes for all
stakeholders."
Nik Jhangiani said:
"I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Diageo. I am proud that
we were recently able to set out our three-year financial plan to
our investors, including significant progress on deleveraging and
strengthening our balance sheet. I would like to thank my fantastic
team for their support, and I wish Dave and all our colleagues the
very best for the future."
In addition to her role at WPP plc, Joanne is a non-executive
director of Informa PLC. Diageo confirms that there are no further
details to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 6.4.8 in respect
of this appointment.
ENDS
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For
further information please contact:
Media relations:
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Rebecca
Perry
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+44 (0) 7590 809 101
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Clare
Cavana
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+44 (0) 7751 742 072
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press@diageo.com
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+44 (0) 7803 856 200
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Investor relations:
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Sonya
Ghobrial
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+44 (0) 7392 784 784
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Grace
Murphy
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+44 (0) 7514 726 167
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investor.relations@diageo.com
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Notes to editors
Supplementary information - Joanne Wilson
Joanne Wilson's remuneration package will include an annual salary
of £900,000 and a pension contribution (or allowance in lieu)
of 14% of base salary, in line with the maximum pension
contribution level for new employees to the UK workforce. Joanne
will be eligible for an annual incentive plan with an on-target
opportunity of 100% and maximum opportunity of 200% of base salary
with bonus deferral. She will also have a long-term incentive plan
opportunity in line with the proposed Diageo Directors'
Remuneration Policy a maximum award of 550% of base salary (subject
to shareholder approval of the proposed Policy at the November 2026
AGM). Joanne will be required to build a shareholding of 550% of
salary.
Joanne will receive replacement awards in respect of the incentives
which are forfeited as a result of her leaving her current employer
to join Diageo. These will include awards of performance shares,
restricted shares and cash. In line with the Policy, replacement
awards will have a fair value no higher than that of the awards
forfeited, and will be determined on a comparable basis taking into
account the form in which the awards were granted as well as the
timing schedule. Details of Joanne's future remuneration will be
included in the Directors' Remuneration Report for the year ending
30 June 2027.
Supplementary information - Nik Jhangiani
The remuneration arrangements for Nik Jhangiani have been
determined by the Remuneration Committee in line with the current
Directors' Remuneration Policy and his service contract. Full
details will be included in the Directors' Remuneration Report for
the year ending 30 June 2027 and made available on the company's
website following Nik stepping down as a director.
In summary, Nik will be eligible to receive a bonus under Diageo's
Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) for the financial year ending 30 June
2027, payable at the normal times and subject, as appropriate, to
time prorating and financial and individual performance, with
one-third of any bonus payable delivered in deferred bonus shares.
All Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) awards which are unvested at
the point Nik's employment ceases will be pro-rated to the date of
cessation of employment and will remain subject to performance
conditions measured over the original performance period and a
two-year post-vesting holding period. Nik will not be
eligible for any further grants under the LTIP which includes the
award due to be granted in November 2026 in respect of the
financial year ending 30 June 2027.
The company's Malus and Clawback
Policy will continue to apply. Nik will be subject to
post-employment shareholding requirements as set out in the
Directors' Remuneration Policy. The policy requires him to continue
to hold shares to the value of the lesser of 400% of his salary on
cessation of employment or his actual holding.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding
collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These
brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JeB and Buchanan's
whiskies, Smirnoff and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys,
Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in nearly 180
countries around the world. The company is listed on both the
London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).
For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and
performance, visit us at www.diageo.com.
Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking
resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for
information, initiatives, and ways to share best
practice.
Crafting iconic drinks chosen for life's moments.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Diageo plc
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(Registrant)
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Date:
23 September 2026
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By:___/s/
James Edmunds
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James Edmunds
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Deputy Company Secretary
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