Diageo plc has announced the appointment of John Rishton as a non-executive director. On appointment, he will also join the board’s audit and nomination committees.

Rishton’s experience in non-executive positions includes roles at Unilever, Associated British Ports, Allied Domecq, Majid Al Futtaim and ICA Gruppen.

Rishton is currently chair of Informa plc, as well as serving as chair of Serco Group PLC, from which he will retire on 31 December 2025.

Rishton was chief executive of Rolls Royce Group plc from 2011 to 2015 and chief financial officer and then chief executive and president of Royal Ahold NV, the Dutch multinational supermarket group, from 2006 to 2011. From 2001 to 2005, he was CFO of British Airways plc, having joined the airline in 1994 from Ford Motor Company.

Diageo’s chair, Sir John Manzoni, said: “I am delighted with John’s appointment to the Diageo board. John is a highly regarded business leader with extensive experience in a wide variety of industries, including in consumer and retail businesses, and a track record of creating sustainable, long-term value for stakeholders.

“I look forward to working with him in positioning Diageo for sustainable growth, maximising the opportunities to strengthen the business and deliver stronger shareholder returns on a sustained basis.”