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Diageo Makes Changes to North American Leadership

6/30/2015
Diageo, a spirits, beer and wine company, announces several leadership appointments.

Diageo recently announced that Larry Schwartz, President North America would retire by the end of this calendar year. Diageo has announced that Deirdre Mahlan, currently Chief Financial Officer, is to be appointed President Diageo North America. Deirdre's replacement will be announced in due course and until that time she will continue in her current role as CFO of Diageo.

Tom Looney, currently president Diageo-Guinness USA has been appointed to the role of President, US Open and Control States. Looney's appointment combines Open and Control States leadership into one role and as the company continues to improve its commercial model. Looney's appointment follows the announcement that Mark Hubler, President Open States and National Accounts, will depart Diageo to Johnson Brothers Liquor Company effective July 31.

With more than 25 years' experience in the alcohol beverage industry, Looney has most recently improved performance in Diageo's US beer business. Prior to his current role, Looney was Chief Commercial Officer where he oversaw the pricing strategy, business analytics and commercial marketing functions across spirits, beer and wine for North America.  Looney has also held a variety of roles including General Manager of the Northeast Control Cluster, VP of Finance for both the Control Markets and the former Northeast In Market Company.

Jeff Ivey, Chief Commercial Officer will expand his role to include leadership of the National Accounts business as well as Commercial Capabilities – this will both streamline work and help accelerate Diageo's performance with National Accounts.

With more than two decades in the industry, Ivey began his career with Seagram's and has held a number of sales and commercial roles since then. He has been Chief Commercial Officer since 2013 and leads a team that includes Route to Market strategy, Commercial Marketing, Strategy and Analytics as well as Category Management.

Tom Day, currently Senior Vice President of Sales for Diageo-Guinness USA is promoted to the role of President, for DGUSA. Day will also join the North America Executive Team.

In the two years he has been on Diageo's beer business, Tom Day has worked arm in arm with Tom Looney to improve relationships with distributors and improve performance in beer. Day's appointment helps maintain consistency in leadership of DGUSA and important distributor relationships. Since he joined Diageo ten years ago, Day has had a number of Commercial and Finance roles in the former New England cluster and as VP of Sales for the Charmer Division.  Day began his career at Unilever.   

Separately, Diageo announced that Claudia Schubert, President Control States is appointed to the role of General Manager, Continental Europe effective September 1 based in Amsterdam reporting to the President of Diageo Europe.

All of these appointments are effective July 1 and report to the President, Diageo North America.

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