Ivan Menezes

Ivan Menezes
Born	Ivan Manuel Menezes 10 7, 1959
Birthplace	Poona, Bombay State, India
Died	Template:Death date and age London, England
Nationality	British, American
Occupation	Business executive
Title	CEO of Diageo
Known for	CEO of Diageo (2013–2023)
Education	MBA, Kellogg School of Management
Spouse(s)	Shibani Menezes
Children	2

Sir Ivan Manuel Menezes (10 July 1959 – 6 June 2023) was a British-American business executive who served as chief executive officer of Diageo, the world's largest spirits maker and a FTSE 100 company, from 2013 until his death in 2023. Born in Pune, India, Menezes rose through the ranks of the global drinks industry over the course of a career spanning more than three decades, during which he oversaw the transformation of Diageo into an increasingly globally diversified and premium-focused enterprise. Under his leadership, the company—whose portfolio included iconic brands such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, and Tanqueray—expanded significantly in emerging markets and shifted its strategy toward higher-end products. He succeeded Paul S. Walsh as CEO and was serving in the role at the time of his death at the age of 63 following a brief illness. He had announced his retirement in March 2023, with Debra Crew named as his successor, but he died before the transition was completed.

Early Life

Ivan Manuel Menezes was born on 10 July 1959 in Poona (now Pune), in what was then Bombay State, India. His father was Manuel Menezes, and the family had roots in the Indian state of Goa. Menezes grew up in India, where he spent his formative years before pursuing higher education both in India and abroad.

He held both British and American citizenship, reflecting a life lived across multiple countries and continents. His Indian heritage and international upbringing were seen as formative influences on his career in the global drinks industry, providing him with an understanding of diverse consumer markets that would later prove relevant in his stewardship of a multinational corporation with operations in more than 180 countries.

The Menezes family's Goan Catholic background connected Ivan to a diaspora community with deep roots in western India. His father Manuel Menezes was a notable figure in his own right. Ivan Menezes's upbringing in India during the 1960s and 1970s placed him in a rapidly changing country, and his subsequent move abroad for education and career opportunities followed a path taken by many Indian professionals of his generation.

Education

Menezes completed his early education in India before pursuing advanced studies internationally. He obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in the United States. The Kellogg School was a significant stepping stone in his career trajectory, providing him with the management training and international business networks that would support his rise through the corporate world. The school later featured him as a prominent alumnus following his appointment as Diageo CEO in 2013.

Prior to his MBA studies at Kellogg, Menezes had also studied in India, where he completed his undergraduate education. His educational background combined Indian academic foundations with an American business school credential, equipping him for a career that would span multiple geographies and industries.

Career

Early Career and Rise at Diageo

Menezes built his career in the consumer goods and drinks industries over a period of more than three decades. Before his appointment as CEO, he held a series of increasingly senior roles within Diageo and its predecessor companies. His experience within the company gave him a comprehensive understanding of its global operations, spanning diverse markets in Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Prior to becoming CEO, Menezes served as Diageo's chief operating officer, a position that placed him in charge of day-to-day operations and made him the natural successor to outgoing CEO Paul S. Walsh. His appointment as CEO was announced in 2013, and reports at the time indicated that he would focus on expanding Diageo's presence in emerging markets, which were seen as key growth drivers for the company.

At the time of his appointment, Indian media noted with interest that a person of Indian origin would be heading one of the world's largest multinational corporations. Reports indicated that Menezes's pay package as CEO could reach significant levels, reflective of his position at the helm of a FTSE 100 company.

CEO of Diageo (2013–2023)

Menezes succeeded Paul S. Walsh as CEO of Diageo in 2013, taking charge of a company whose portfolio of brands included Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Baileys, and many others. Under his leadership over the following decade, Diageo underwent a significant strategic transformation.

A central element of Menezes's strategy was the premiumisation of Diageo's portfolio—a deliberate shift toward higher-end, more expensive products that commanded greater profit margins. This approach reflected broader trends in the global spirits industry, where consumers in many markets were increasingly willing to pay more for premium and super-premium brands. Under Menezes, Diageo moved to position Johnnie Walker and other brands at progressively higher price points while investing in marketing and brand-building initiatives that reinforced their premium credentials.

Menezes also pursued global diversification, expanding Diageo's footprint in emerging markets across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. At the time of his appointment, he had signalled that these markets would be a priority, and this strategic direction continued throughout his tenure. The expansion into emerging markets was seen as critical for the long-term growth of a company whose traditional markets in Western Europe and North America were relatively mature.

During his decade as CEO, Menezes also navigated Diageo through a series of acquisitions and portfolio adjustments that reshaped the company's brand mix. The company invested in tequila brands and other spirits categories that were experiencing rapid growth, while also divesting certain non-core assets. His approach was characterised by a focus on total beverage alcohol—ensuring Diageo had strong positions across multiple spirits categories as well as in beer through its ownership of Guinness.

The New York Times noted that Menezes possessed a "canny understanding of the drinking public" that helped the company grow during his tenure. His leadership was marked by an emphasis on understanding consumer behaviour and adapting Diageo's strategy accordingly, whether in response to changing tastes in cocktail culture, the rise of craft spirits, or shifting consumption patterns in different parts of the world.

Under Menezes's leadership, Diageo became increasingly associated with a globally diversified, premium-focused business model. According to The Times, "Under the decade-long leadership of the late Sir Ivan Menezes, the drinks company Diageo became globally diversified and moved upmarket." This strategic direction had a lasting impact on the company's positioning and was regarded as a defining feature of his time as CEO.

Menezes also oversaw Diageo's corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives during his tenure, with the company making commitments related to responsible drinking, environmental sustainability, and diversity in the workplace.

Planned Retirement and Death

On 28 March 2023, Diageo announced that Menezes had decided to retire as chief executive officer. The company stated that Debra Crew, who was serving as chief operating officer, would succeed him as CEO effective 1 July 2023. The announcement described a planned and orderly transition of leadership.

However, Menezes fell ill before the transition could be completed. On 7 June 2023, Diageo announced that Menezes had died following a brief illness, with his family at his side. He was 63 years old. His death occurred in London, England.

The BBC reported on his death, noting his significant tenure at the head of the world's largest spirits company. The Drinks Business also reported on his passing, noting that he had died with his family at his side following a brief illness.

Following Menezes's death, Debra Crew assumed the role of CEO as had been previously announced. Crew herself later stepped down from the role in July 2025.

Personal Life

Menezes was married to Shibani Menezes, and the couple had two children. He maintained residences reflecting his international career and held both British and American citizenship.

Menezes received a knighthood, gaining the title "Sir," in recognition of his contributions to business and the economy. The honour was recorded in The London Gazette. The knighthood reflected his standing as one of the most prominent business leaders in the United Kingdom during his tenure at Diageo.

His Indian heritage, Goan roots, and international career made him a notable figure within the Indian diaspora. Indian media extensively covered both his appointment as Diageo CEO and his death, reflecting the interest in his career trajectory from Pune to the top of one of Britain's largest companies.

Menezes died on 6 June 2023 in London after a brief illness. He was 63 years old.

Recognition

Menezes received a knighthood during his career, an honour that recognised his service to business. The knighthood placed him among a select group of corporate leaders in the United Kingdom who had been similarly recognised by the British Crown.

Upon his death, tributes came from across the business world and the drinks industry. Diageo's announcement of his passing described his contribution to the company in significant terms. Reuters reported on his death, noting his role at the head of the global drinks giant.

The Telegraph India described him as "undoubtedly one of the finest leaders of his generation who combined business acumen with humility and kindness."

Moneycontrol published a tribute article reflecting on his career and impact on the drinks industry. The Financial Times also covered his death and career.

His passing was covered by major international news outlets including the BBC, The Guardian, The New York Times, Reuters, and the Financial Times, reflecting his prominence as a global business leader.

Legacy

Ivan Menezes's decade-long leadership of Diageo left a significant mark on the company and on the broader spirits industry. His strategic emphasis on premiumisation—shifting the company's portfolio toward higher-value brands and products—became a defining characteristic of Diageo under his stewardship and influenced strategic thinking across the industry.

The global diversification that Menezes pursued, expanding Diageo's reach into emerging markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, reshaped the company's geographic revenue base and positioned it for growth beyond its traditional strongholds in Western Europe and North America. This strategy reflected Menezes's own international background and his understanding of the potential of consumer markets in the developing world.

As a business leader of Indian origin heading a major British multinational corporation, Menezes was a notable figure in discussions about diversity in corporate leadership. His rise to the top of a FTSE 100 company was noted by Indian and international media alike as an example of the achievements of the Indian diaspora in global business.

The succession arrangements he put in place before his death—with Debra Crew named as his replacement—reflected an emphasis on continuity and orderly transition. However, the company faced challenges after his death, with Crew herself departing the CEO role in July 2025, raising questions about Diageo's future leadership direction.

Menezes's career arc—from Pune to the helm of the world's largest spirits company—represented a journey across continents and cultures that shaped both his personal identity and his approach to leading a global business. His knighthood and the breadth of international media coverage following his death attested to the significance of his contributions to British business life and the global drinks industry.