Diageo names US president as major reshuffle continues
Jim Young, who stepped down as joint managing director of Diageo Great Britain in July, has been appointed president of Diageo-Guinness USA.
In his new role, Young will be directly responsible for the marketing and development of Diageo’s beer and flavoured malt beverage portfolio in North America. He replaces Dave Eickholt, who is retiring after 28 years with the company.
Young was Diageo GB’s joint managing director in charge of the on-trade, sharing responsibility with Benet Slay, joint managing director for the off-trade. But in July, Diageo reshuffled its management team and named Slay sole managing director.
At the same time, it named Philip Almond, previously European brand director for Smirnoff, as marketing director for Great Britain. Andy Fennell, who had been marketing and innovation director for Great Britain and Europe, lost his UK responsibilities. Diageo claimed the change would place greater focus on the UK, while allowing Fennell to concentrate on developing the European market.
Last month, global marketing procurement chief Alison Littley left the company after her role was axed. Diageo’s global head of advertising procurement, Adam Kirby, left to join Saatchi & Saatchi as executive director of growth and business development at the start of this year.
Insiders suggest the changes are all part of a management restructure that started 18 months ago.