Diageo’s CEO-designate Debra Crew has assumed the role with immediate effect after Sir Ivan Menezes was taken into hospital to receive treatment for medical conditions, including a stomach ulcer.
Diageo announced in March that Sir Ivan would retire from the drinks giant at the end of this month, following ten years of leading the business. Crew, who was Chief Operating Officer, was due to take over the position on 1 July.
In a statement issued this morning, Diageo said: “Over the weekend, we learned that Ivan’s recovery suffered a significant setback due to complications, which followed emergency surgery on the ulcer.”
Crew has been appointed Interim Chief Executive, ahead of joining the company’s Board in July as an executive director as originally planned.
