Boss of drinks giant Diageo Sir Ivan Menezes dies aged 63 following a brief illness

The boss of drinks giant Diageo Sir Ivan Menezes has died aged 63 following a brief illness.

The businessman, who was chief executive of the company behind brands including Guinness, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker for ten years, was due to retire at the end of the month.

But on Monday Diageo revealed his successor Debra Crew would take over immediately after he suffered complications following emergency surgery on a stomach ulcer. 

Yesterday, it said: ‘It is with great sadness that Diageo announces that Sir Ivan Menezes has passed away following a brief illness, with his family at his side.’

Chairman Javier Ferran said: ‘Ivan was undoubtedly one of the finest leaders of his generation. 

‘We are truly privileged to have had the opportunity to work alongside such a thoughtful and passionate colleague and friend. He has built an extraordinary legacy.’

Born in India, Menezes was with Diageo when it was formed in 1997 through the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness. 

Since he became boss in 2013, the British firm’s value has grown by around £30billion to £75billion as he led a push into premium brands.

He struck a deal to pay £800million for George Clooney’s tequila brand Casamigos in 2017. Although the price raised eyebrows, it has been a roaring success.

During the pandemic, Menezes oversaw the production of more than 10m bottles of hand sanitiser for NHS workers. 

He also drove the business into emerging economies like China and India, while the shares soared more than 85 per cent during his tenure.

Menezes said the job had been an ‘enormous honour’ when he announced his retirement in March.

This year he was knighted for services to business and equality.

Ferran said: ‘I saw first-hand his steadfast commitment to our people and to creating a culture that enabled everyone to thrive. 

He invested his time and energy in people at every level of the company and saw potential that others may have overlooked.’

Menezes leaves behind his wife Shibani and two children Nikhil and Rohini.