Diageo makes key Africa management appointment

Diageo’s chief marketing officer Andy Fennel has been moved to join the company’s Africa team as COO, just one of several management changes announced by the drinks group this week.

Diageo is reinforcing its position in Africa with the appointment of Andy Fennel

Effective from 1 July 2013, Fennel will report to Nick Blazquez, president for Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey. Moving into his former role at the same time will be Syl Saller, global innovation director, who will also join the Diageo executive committee.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Syl Saller to the executive,” said Ivan Menezes, COO and soon-to-become CEO of Diageo. “Syl brings a great breadth of marketing and general management experience to her new position. In particular, her global track record on innovation performance over the past nine years has been outstanding.

“In his new role, Andy will work with Nick and their talented teams to further strengthen our leading position in Africa, a region with enormous potential.”

Separately, Gareth Williams, HR director at Diageo, has announced his retirement from the company. Leaving the executive committee on 30 June 2013, he will remain with the group until 30 June 2014 to support “a number of key projects”.

He will be replaced by Leanne Wood, global talent and organisational effectiveness director, who will take up the position, and join the executive committee, on 1 July 2013.