Diageo appoints new MDs
Drinks giant Diageo has announced three managing director changes, with Barry O’Sullivan to lead its Great Britain division.
O’Sullivan will succeed Nuno Teles, who will become managing director of Diageo Mexico. Teles will continue in his current role until O’Sullivan takes over on 1 July 2025.
O’Sullivan has spent the past four years as managing director of Diageo Ireland, ‘delivering consistent, sustainable growth’ in the market.
Under his leadership, notable updates include last year’s investments in Guinness, which involved a €100 million (US$108.3m) commitment to decarbonising the St James’s Gate brewery in Dublin, as well as a €30 million (US$32.5m) investment in the production of Guinness 0.0.
He joined the firm in 2021 after serving as managing director for Mars Petcare in Australia and New Zealand. He has also held previous roles with Mars in Mexico, the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa.
Louise Ryan will take over O’Sullivan’s previous role in Ireland.
O’Sullivan said: “I cannot wait to get started in Diageo’s home market of Great Britain, where some of the country’s most iconic and loved brands are at the heart of celebrations.
“After four wonderful years in Ireland, I look forward to bringing my experience to this new role and building on the incredible legacy Nuno leaves behind.”
Diageo Mexico
Teles joins Diageo Mexico after three years in Great Britain, where he is credited with growing the business despite challenging market conditions.
He has also made bold decisions to reshape the GB operations, including last year’s establishment of the Diageo Luxury Company, which aims to streamline and refocus the market’s emphasis on the luxury sector.
Throughout his time in GB, Teles has championed a people-first culture at Diageo, ensuring that the company’s purpose of ‘celebrating life every day’ thrives within the GB workforce.
Teles commented: “While I am excited by the opportunity ahead, I will be very sad to leave the remarkable market that is Diageo GB.
“Barry is a brilliant leader and hugely respected across the business, and I have strong confidence that Diageo GB will thrive under his leadership and continue our commitment to brilliant execution.”
Earlier this month, Diageo announced the launch of a new global luxury platform, Johnnie Walker Vault.
To support the company’s productivity goals, Diageo paused its production at its carbon-neutral whiskey distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky.
This month, the firm stopped bringing new brands into the Distill Ventures accelerator programme.
Earlier this week, Diageo suggested the US government should consider tougher rules of origin requirements in trade agreements as an alternative to tariffs.
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