Diageo appoints new European marketing chief

Diageo has drafted in its marketing chief from Africa, Matt Barwell, to become the European marketing and innovation director to succeed Andy Fennell (pictured), who was promoted to chief marketing officer last month (MW.co.uk September 25).

Barwell, currently marketing and innovation director for Africa, will take on the new role on December 1. He will report to European president Andrew Morgan.

The move follows a marketing reshuffle at the drinks giant following the announcement of chief marketing officer Rob Malcolm’s retirement. He will be replaced by Fennell in December.

Following the move, Diageo has decided to split Malcolm’s sales and marketing responsibilities, with Fennell in charge of overall marketing and sales to be led by Rob Anderson.

As chief customer officer, Anderson will lead the sales team. He was previously managing director of global travel and Middle East and global customer development.

Barwell started his career with Mars and joined Diageo in 1998 as global marketing director ready-to-drink, UDV and has since worked in both regional and international roles including global marketing director for J&B and marketing director for Diageo’s Italian operations.