Ivan Menezes

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.

Early life Ivan Manuel Menezes was born in Poona, India, on 10 July 1959, to Nina and Manuel Menezes. His mother, Nina, was a French language and music teacher, while his father, Manuel, was the chairman of the Indian Railway Board. The family was from Pomburpa village in Goa (then part of Portuguese India).

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. As the marketing head at Diageo, he is credited for developing the Keep Walking! marketing campaign for Johnnie Walker. During his time as the CEO, the market value of the company grew from £42B to £75B.

Menezes was a non-executive director of the US-based fashion retailer Coach, Inc. and the chair of the Scotch Whisky Association. During his tenure at Diageo, Menezes strove to diversify its leadership, making more than 40% of Diageo's senior leadership positions held by women. He held dual UK and United States citizenship. He was also an Overseas Citizen of India.