Ivan Manuel Menezes, the CEO of Diageo, the world's largest spirits company, passed away on Wednesday. Menezes, a 64-year-old executive set to retire at the end of this month, had been admitted to the hospital for various conditions, including a stomach ulcer, according to a statement issued by the company on June 5. The exact cause of his death in London is not immediately known.
Menezes had been with Diageo since its formation in 1997 through the merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan. During his tenure, he successfully boosted sales and oversaw numerous brand acquisitions, as well as spearheading a significant sustainability transformation within the company.
"Ivan was there at the creation of Diageo and over 25 years, shaped Diageo to become one of the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer companies. I saw first-hand his steadfast commitment to our people and to creating a culture that enabled everyone to thrive. He invested his time and energy in people at every level of the company and saw potential that others may have overlooked. This is one of many reasons why he was beloved by our employees, past and present," said Javier Ferrón, Chairman, Diogeo.
On Monday,
Diageo announced that Debra Crew, the CEO-designate, would assume the top position on an interim basis while Menezes underwent medical treatment. In a statement, the company revealed that complications following emergency surgery for the ulcer had caused a setback in Menezes' recovery.
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Born in Pune, India,
Menezes hailed from a notable background, with his father, Manuel Menezes, serving as the chairman of the Indian Railway Board. Ivan Menezes received his education at the esteemed St. Stephen's College in Delhi and the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.
First Published: Jun 7, 2023 12:00 PM IST
