In a key people move at Diageo, John O’Keeffe, currently President Africa and Beer at the Johnnie Walker-to-Guinness powerhouse, is to succeed Sam Fischer as President Asia Pacific and Global Travel.
Fischer is joining Australasian drinks giant Lion as CEO, replacing Stuart Irvine.
Dayalan Nayager, currently MD Diageo Great Britain and himself a highly rated former head of Diageo Global Travel, will succeed O’Keeffe as President Africa and join the Diageo Executive Committee. Both O’Keeffe and Nayager will take up their new roles on 1 July.
Diageo said: “We would like to thank Sam for the significant contribution he has made to Diageo over the last 15 years and wish him well for the future, while also congratulating John and Dayalan on their new roles.”
Announcing Fischer’s appointment, Lion Chairman Sir Rod Eddington said: “On behalf of Kirin and the Lion Board I am thrilled to welcome Sam home to Australia and to Lion. Sam brings 30 years of global leadership experience, deep expertise in alcohol beverages and FMCG businesses and a strong track record in driving business growth.
“Sam joins Lion at a pivotal time, as our industry continues to navigate the impacts of the pandemic and Lion delivers a new mid-term plan to return to sustainable growth. His drive for performance and proven ability to lead with purpose and conviction will be invaluable as Lion enters this next chapter.”
Fischer said: “It’s a privilege to be joining Lion – a company with a proud 180-year history in Australia and New Zealand, incredible stable of locally loved brands and a growing craft beer business in the United States.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with Lion’s customers and partners across our markets and working with Lion’s people on this next chapter.”
Click on the icon to view Sam Fischer’s outstanding presentation at The Moodie Davitt Report’s Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 themed ‘Driving Travel Retail’s Drinks Category Towards a Better, More Sustainable Future’
