Diageo shakes up senior Europe and Africa team

Johnnie Walker maker Diageo has made a number of changes to its senior leadership team across Europe and Africa, with Charles Ireland named general manager, GB, Ireland and France.

Charles Ireland has been named Diageo general manager for GB, Ireland and France

Previously managing director at Diageo-owned East Africa Breweries Ltd (EABL), Ireland will be based in London and report to John Kennedy, president, Diageo Europe, Russia and Turkey.

Ireland has spent the last 13 years leading some of Diageo’s biggest businesses in Asia Pacific and Africa. He now returns to Europe to lead the Diageo GB business, while managing Diageo’s Ireland operations and the company’s French business alongside Oliver Loomes, country director, Ireland and Frank Floc’hlay, CEO, MHD France.

Meanwhile, Andrew Cowan, currently country director GB, has been appointed managing director EABL, reporting to John O’Keeffe, president Diageo Africa.

Cowan joined Diageo in 2008 as commercial director for Northern Ireland, and was subsequently named commercial director for the Republic of Ireland, before taking over the GB business five years ago.

Both Ireland and Cowan will begin a month of transition to their new roles from July 2016.

“I would like to thank Charles and Andrew for the significant impact they have made on EABL and GB respectively,” said Kennedy.

“Charles has transformed EABL to be one of the best performing markets in Diageo and the fastest growing market for Guinness. Over the last few years, under Andrew’s leadership, Diageo GB has seen consistent top line growth, profit growth and sprits market share growth, and Guinness is also growing again with increased value share.

“Both are tremendous achievements and I congratulate them both on their new appointments.”