LONDON (Sept 23): Diageo on Wednesday named a new finance chief, replacing Nik Jhangiani after just two years, during which he became a key figure in the struggling Guinness maker's turnaround plan.

The world's biggest spirits maker said Joanne Wilson, finance chief of British advertising group WPP and a former colleague of Lewis at retailer Tesco, would succeed Jhangiani. Wilson is expected to take up the role in 2027, with Jhangiani remaining in post until then to ensure an orderly handover.

The departure comes less than two months after Lewis and Jhangiani hosted a capital markets day, laying out a strategy to revive growth and cut costs after years of weak demand.

"Nik and I have agreed that, now we have shared our new strategy, this is the right time for this change," Lewis said in the statement, thanking him for his support and significant contribution to Diageo.

The finance chief's departure marks the latest change at the top of Diageo as Lewis, who joined in January, pushes through a broad turnaround of the maker of Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff.

Jhangiani joined Diageo in 2024, and spearheaded efforts to cut costs and raise cash, emerging as a stabilising figure during one of the most turbulent periods in the company's recent history.

He served as interim CEO following the surprise departure of then-CEO Debra Crew in July 2025, and was viewed by some investors as a potential candidate for the top job.

Jhangiani said he enjoyed every minute at Diageo and wished the team the best for the future.

His departure was first reported by Sky News on Tuesday.

Uploaded by Liza Shireen Koshy