Franz Humer

Franz Bernhard Humer (born 1 July 1946, in Salzburg, Austria) is a Swiss-Austrian businessman, and the former chairman of Diageo, and of Roche.

Life and career Humer studied law at the University of Innsbruck and later obtained a doctorate in law. He also earned a master's degree in business from INSEAD in Fontainebleau.

Between 1973 and 1995, Humer worked for pharmaceutical companies Schering-Plough and Glaxo in various countries.

Humer was chairman of Reed Elsevier from July 2008 to September 2010, when he was succeeded by Anthony Habgood.

He was chairman of Diageo, a British multinational alcoholic beverages company, until January 2017, when he was succeeded by Javier Ferrán.

Humer is married and lives in Erlenbach, Switzerland. He obtained Swiss citizenship in 1989. Humer was chairman at the INSEAD school of business from 2008 to 2014.

Honors 2000: Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria 2006: Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria 2016: Honorary Senator of the University of Salzburg Honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Philosophy and Natural Sciences at the University of Basel Honorary doctorate from the London School of Pharmacy