India-born CEO of Diageo Ivan Menezes Passes Away

Ivan Manuel Menezes, the India-born CEO of Diageo, the world’s largest spirits company, sadly passed away on Wednesday at the age of 64. Pune-born Menzes was due to retire at the end of this month.

The exact cause of his passing in London is currently unknown. Diageo had revealed that CEO-designate Debra Crew would temporarily assume the top position while Menezes underwent medical treatment. However, his recovery suffered a significant setback following emergency surgery on the ulcer, as stated by Diageo in a recent statement.

Menezes was educated at St Stephen’s College in Delhi and the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He joined Diageo in 1997 after the merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan and quickly ascended the corporate ladder. Menezes became an executive director in July 2012 and assumed the role of CEO in July 2013. In 2023, he was honoured with a knighthood.

Under Menezes’ leadership, Diageo achieved remarkable milestones, solidifying its position as a trusted and esteemed consumer products company worldwide. With renowned brands like Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray, and Don Julio, Diageo had earlier announced Crew as Menezes’ successor.