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Diageo India appoints new CEO
By Rupert HohwielerThe Indian arm of Diageo, United Spirits, has made a change at the top of its leadership, naming a new CEO in Praveen Someshwar.

Someshwar will begin in the role on 1 March 2024, first as CEO designate.
He will join Diageo after holding the posotion of managing director and CEO of HT Media for the last five years, one of India’s biggest media groups.
From 1 April, Someshwar will then assume responsibilities from Hina Nagarajan, Diageo India’s current managing director and CEO, who will transition to a position on the company’s global executive committee.
Diageo called Nagarajan’s term ‘four very successful years’.
Someshwar said: “I am delighted to be joining Diageo – a business with world-leading brands, talented colleagues, and a long-term commitment to developing its business sustainably in India. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to build on their great work.”
At HT Media, Someshwar led multiple digital, print and radio outlets including India’s second-largest newspaper, Hindustan Times. Before HT Media, he was at PepsiCo for 24 years.
On the leadership change, Debra Crew, Diageo chief executive, commented: “Under Hina’s leadership, Diageo India has combined strong top-line growth and margin expansion with impactful strategic initiatives, reshaping and premiumising our portfolio and positioning Diageo India as an innovative leader in the alcobev industry.
“As she moves on to a new role within Diageo, she leaves a significant track record of success and a highly engaged, talented and diverse team.
“Praveen joins us with an outstanding track record of leading consumer businesses, with a passion for both strategy and executional excellence that will serve us well as we plan for the next phase of Diageo India’s exciting growth story. I can’t wait to welcome him on board.”
Nagarajan to support ‘ongoing success’
Reflecting on her tenure, Nagarajan said: “It has been a true privilege to lead Diageo India during a period of strong strategic progress and sustained, profitable double-digit growth for the business, with our market capitalisation growing to more than INR 1 trillion (US$12.5bn).
“I wish all my Diageo India colleagues ongoing success and look forward to supporting them as they continue their work in building this fantastic business under Praveen’s leadership.”

Mahendra Kumar Sharma, chairman of the United Spirits board, also his offered his thanks to Nagarajan and excitement for the future, adding: “We wish to extend our sincere thanks to Hina for her strong stewardship of the business and her partnership with the board.
“Together with the team in India, she has led a bold ambition for growth that has driven market share gains across multiple categories, and she leaves the business with a clear strategy and growth momentum.
“The board and I also wish to welcome Praveen, who we look forward to working with and offering our full support as he transitions into this important leadership position.”
United Spirits sells and distributes brands such as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan and Ketel One in India, as well as Indian single malt whisky Godawan among other brands.
It has been aiming to reshape its portfolio to boost profits, which, in 2022, resulted in the company selling 32 brands from its Popular division for approximately 8.2 billion rupees (US$105.7m).
Last year, Vikram Damodaran, chief innovation officer of Diageo India, spoke of agave’s “massive growth potential” in the country, as well as a potential boom for rum.
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