Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 28, 2026

Ivan Menezes

Sir Ivan Manuel Menezes was a British-American business executive. He was the CEO of Diageo, a FTSE 100 British multinational alcoholic beverages company, from 2013 until his death in 2023, succeeding Paul S. Walsh.

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Sir
Ivan Menezes
Menezes in 2014
Born
Ivan Manuel Menezes

(1959-07-10)10 July 1959
Poona, Bombay State, India
Died6 June 2023(2023-06-06) (aged 63)
London, England
Alma mater
TitleCEO of Diageo
Term2013–2023
SpouseShibani Menezes
Children2
FatherManuel Menezes
Relatives

Sir Ivan Manuel Menezes (10 July 1959 – 6 June 2023) was a British-American business executive. He was the CEO of Diageo, a FTSE 100 British multinational alcoholic beverages company, from 2013 until his death in 2023, succeeding Paul S. Walsh.1

Early life

Ivan Manuel Menezes was born in Poona, India, on 10 July 1959, to Nina and Manuel Menezes.23 His mother, Nina, was a French language and music teacher, while his father, Manuel, was the chairman of the Indian Railway Board.45 The family was from Pomburpa village in Goa (then part of Portuguese India).6 His brother Victor Menezes was senior vice-chairman and CFO of Citibank.278

Menezes completed his schooling from St. Mary's High School, Mt. Abu, where he graduated as a topper in the Indian school certificate examination. He went on to complete his bachelors in economics and mathematics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and followed it with a post-graduate degree from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. He later obtained an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.8910

Career

Menezes joined Diageo in 1997 and held various senior positions, including chief operating officer; chairman, Latin America & the Caribbean; chairman, Asia Pacific; president and CEO, Diageo North America; and chief operating officer, Diageo North America before becoming its global CEO.3

Menezes joined Diageo from Guinness, when the company merged with Grand Metropolitan in 1997 to form Diageo.11 As the marketing head at Diageo, he is credited for developing the Keep Walking! marketing campaign for Johnnie Walker.12 As the CEO, he was credited for building the company to its current position owning over 200 brands in over 180 countries, including driving acquisitions of brands including Don Papa, a Philippine rum, Don Julio and Casamigos tequila brands.13 During his time as the CEO, the market value of the company grew from £42B to £75B.11 During this time, he led the company to sell most of its wines business and its low-margin mass-market beers and shift its focus toward premium brands like Guinness and spirits like Johnnie Walker.148

Menezes was a non-executive director of the US-based fashion retailer Coach, Inc. and the chair of the Scotch Whisky Association.314

Menezes was knighted in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to business and equality.15 During his tenure at Diageo, Menezes strove to diversify its leadership, making more than 40% of Diageo's senior leadership positions held by women.16 He held dual UK and United States citizenship. He was also an Overseas Citizen of India.11

Personal life

Menezes was married to Shibani Menezes, a journalist. They had met while studying at St. Stephen's College in Delhi.813 The couple had two children,3 Nikhil and Rohini.16 He was known to be a cricket and theatre lover.14

Menezes died from complications of stomach ulcer surgery on 7 June 2023 in London, at age 63.126

References

References

  1. "New Diageo chief Ivan Menezes to focus on emerging markets". The Daily Telegraph. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  2. "Indian to head world's top liquor co". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 April 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  3. Murray, Felicity (7 May 2013). "Ivan Menezes appointed CEO of Diageo". The Drinks Report. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  4. "Ivan Manuel Menezes (KSM '85)". Kellogg School of Management. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  5. "I am Goan". oHeraldo. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  6. "In today's ruthless corporate world, Sir Ivan Menezes stood out for channeling his inner Gandalf". Moneycontrol. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  7. Livemint (7 June 2023). "Ivan Menezes no more: All you need to know about the Indian-born CEO of Diageo". mint. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  8. "Sir Ivan Menezes, former Diageo chief executive, dies aged 63". The Times. 13 June 2023. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  9. "Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes 'undoubtedly one of the finest leaders of his generation' who combined business acumen with 'humility and kindness'". Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  10. "Diageo's Indian-origin CEO Ivan Menezes to get up to Rs. 105-cr pay package". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  11. Sweney, Mark (7 June 2023). "Diageo boss Ivan Menezes dies aged 63 after short illness". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  12. "Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes passes away". Reuters. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  13. "Sir Ivan Menezes: Boss of Guinness maker Diageo dies at 63". BBC News. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  14. Speed, Madeleine (7 June 2023). "Ivan Menezes, businessman, 1959–2023". Financial Times. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  15. "No. 63918". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2022. p. N2.
  16. "Ivan Menezes, India-born CEO of Diageo, passes away at 63". The Economic Times. 7 June 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 20 September 2023.