Diageo North America appoints Sally Grimes as CEO, Claudia Shubert as President

USA – Diageo, a British multinational alcoholic beverage company, has named Sally Grimes as the Chief Executive Officer of its North American business unit.

Sally, a former CEO at Clif Bar & Company, the leading maker of organic energy bars in North America, brings 25 years of experience in the food and beverage sector.

She also has extensive non-executive director experience having served on several boards including Beyond Meat, Inc., Continental Grain Company, and Silver Oak Winery.

As Chief Executive Officer at Clif Bar & Company, the leading maker of organic energy bars in North America, she successfully led the development of a 10-year strategic growth plan.

She also designed the company’s purpose, created a clear portfolio strategy and is credited to finalizing the successful sale of the company to Mondelez International.

She is expected to use her extensive experience to lead the business which is Diageo’s largest market and since fiscal 19, has grown 41%, in terms of net sales on a constant basis.

As CEO, Sally will report to Diageo CEO Debra Crew and will join the Diageo Executive Committee, according to a statement from the maker of Johnny Walker whiskey and Guinness beer.

“Sally brings a significant depth of experience in the consumer goods sector in North America and has a proven ability to drive substantial growth in businesses,” said Debra Crew, CEO Diageo.

Sally’s appointment was made alongside that of Claudia Schubert who will serve as Diageo North America’s President and Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 October 2023.

Claudia brings over two decades of experience in the beverage and alcohol sector with a proven strategic, performance, and operations track record.

She is credited for successfully leading Diageo’s US spirits business through the disruption of COVID-19 resulting in the delivery of significant growth, managing the explosive rise of the Diageo tequila business, and integrating several acquisitions.

Limited-edition of Johnnie Walker unveiled

Meanwhile, Johnnie Walker, the world’s best-selling Scotch whisky, has unveiled the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami.

The launch follows years of collaboration between Master Blender Emma Walker and the world-renowned Chef Kei Kobayashi in Paris resulting in the creation of this exquisite Blended Scotch Whisky.

“Umami possesses a mysterious quality that ignites our senses, revealing sumptuous taste, complexity, and depth,” Kei explained.

“Encapsulating that alluring flavour through Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami allows you to immerse your palate in an exquisite Scotch Whisky of subtle richness.”

According to Julie Bramham, Global Brand Director of Johnnie Walker, this limited-edition scotch release is set to be available exclusively at Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh from September 18, 2023.

 Pre-sales will launch globally on October 2, 2023 and be available to buy globally from October 16, 2023.

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