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Diageo Names Joanne Wilson CFO, Replacing Interim Leader

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 2:11 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Diageo appointed Joanne Wilson as chief financial officer, succeeding interim CFO Nik Jhangiani.
Wilson, currently CFO of WPP plc, will join Diageo’s board and executive committee in 2027.
Jhangiani oversaw the Accelerate programme, targeting cash delivery, cost efficiency and operational streamlining.
Diageo’s $1 billion restructuring plan targets $850 million savings, with roughly 40% due in FY27 and 2,000 jobs cut last year.

History

Historical Context

Diageo was born in 1997 when Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan, creating a $10 billion spirits group whose shares began trading on 17 December. That merger sparked a $1.2 billion cost-reduction plan that eliminated 3,500 jobs by 2000 and prompted divestments such as Pillsbury in 2000. The 2024 $1 billion restructuring follows this long-standing efficiency drive.

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Story summary

Diageo appointed Joanne Wilson as chief financial officer, succeeding interim CFO Nik Jhangiani.
Wilson, currently CFO of WPP plc, will join Diageo’s board and executive committee in 2027.
Jhangiani oversaw the Accelerate programme, targeting cash delivery, cost efficiency and operational streamlining.
Diageo’s $1 billion restructuring plan targets $850 million savings, with roughly 40% due in FY27 and 2,000 jobs cut last year.

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