Diageo – No.4 (27)
Up from #33 on Forbes’ 2012 list, Diageo is negotiating a change of leadership from Paul Walsh to long-time heir apparent Ivan Menezes (pictured) this year, who on July 31 (reporting the firm’s FY 2012/13 results) stressed the firm’s strong US showing in higher-priced spirits, with net sales in spirits up 8%.
Diageo is currently working hard to integrate with Indian market leader United Spirits (it is now the biggest shareholder with 25.02%), but closer to home the firm admits it hasn’t ‘cracked the code’ for US and European beer, given a 2% volume slide in mature markets in the year to June 30.