Dave Lewis takes over as CEO at Diageo

Diageo has reportedly appointed Dave Lewis as Chief Executive Officer. Lewis will succeed Debra Crew, who left in July.

With more than three decades of experience in the Consumer Goods and Retail sectors, Lewis is currently Chair of consumer health company, Haleon, sits on the board of PepsiCo, and is also Chairman of Xlinks, a privately owned renewable energy business.

Dave has spent the majority of his career at Unilever, beginning as a graduate trainee and rising to join the Global Executive Team, first as President Americas and then as Global President for Personal Care. After 28 years at the consumer goods giant, he left to run Tesco, leading the retailer for six years between 2014 and 2020.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List for his contributions to business and the food industry in the UK, the company said.

 Lewis will begin his role on January 1, 2026, when interim CEO Nik Jhangiani returns to his position as chief financial officer. Jhangiani will continue to lead Diageo as interim CEO through the end of 2025, before resuming his role as CFO.

Dierdre Mahlan, who recently returned to Diageo as interim CFO, will remain with the company “to support Diageo through the transition,” according to RBC.