Paul Walsh – Diageo
Walsh handed over the keys to the international spirits sports car, or should we say Daimler Benz, that is Diageo to Ivan Menezes on July 1.
He transformed Diageo from an unwieldy conglomerate with food interests ranging from Burger King to a dough manufacturer into a tightly focused alcoholic drinks firm with world leading brands such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Smirnoff.
“Paul has served our business, its shareholders, employees and partners with enormous imagination and dedication over the past 13 years,” Diageo chair Franz Humer said of Walsh.
Nonetheless, despite Walsh’s strong track record, Investec analyst Martin Deboo said investor returns on Diageo’s stock were lower than those of arch rival Pernod Ricard over the past 13 years.
http://www.beveragedaily.com/Manufacturers/Diageo-boss-to-step-down-after-13-years