Alex Keith, who has more than 35 years of international consumer goods experience, is expected to join the board on 5 November 2026 subject to shareholder approval.
Most recently, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Procter & Gamble’s Beauty business.
During her tenure, Diageo said she “drove meaningful growth through innovation, portfolio development, strategic acquisitions and organisational transformation.”
Diageo said that she also has extensive international leadership experience across North America, Europe and Asia, with expertise in general management, consumer products, brand building, supply chain and enterprise leadership.
She also has a strong track record of “building global brands, scaling complex businesses and creating long-term shareholder value through innovation, disciplined execution and portfolio strategy,” the spirits company said.
Since 2020, she has served as a non-executive director of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., a major US-based life sciences company.
Diageo Chair, Sir John Manzoni, said: “I am delighted Alex has agreed to join the Diageo Board. She brings recent chief executive experience in the consumer goods industry, leading and transforming branded businesses, and shaping portfolios to respond to consumer trends, including in the US.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Alex to the Board, as part of our continuing process to build out the expertise of the Diageo Board to help drive the transformation and improved competitiveness of the business.”
Her appointment is subject to the approval of shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, where she will join the Board and become a member of the Board’s Remuneration and Nomination Committees.
The news comes as Diageo recently revealed it is conducting a $1.2bn restructuring programme to deliver $850 million savings over two years.
Sales declines have hit North America and Asia Pacific, although Guinness, Smirnoff RTD and Johnnie Walker were highlighted as stand out performers.