Diageo plc, the global alcoholic beverages retailer, has announced that current non-executive director Sir John Manzoni KCB will be appointed chair of the board on or around 5 February 2025, when current chair Javier Ferrán steps down. He will also take the role of chair of the nomination committee at the same time.

Manzoni joined the Diageo Board in October 2020, having led the UK Civil Service from 2014 to 2020. He is currently chairs the boards of the energy multinational SSE plc and the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE plc), a UK Ministry of Defence facility. He is a non-executive director of engineering and technology business KBR, Inc. From 2004 to 2015, he was a non-executive director of SAB Miller plc.

Earlier in his career, Manzoni served as president and chief executive officer of Talisman Energy, and held a number of senior executive roles at BP plc.

Susan Kilsby, Diageo’s senior independent director, who led the appointment process, thanked Javier Ferrán and said: “The board is delighted to appoint John as Diageo’s next chair, following an extensive search process. John has an outstanding track record of leadership within beverage alcohol and across a number of other complex and fast-changing sectors in the UK and globally. His experience and expertise will be instrumental as Diageo continues to develop and grow its global business in the years ahead.”