Diageo Announces Leadership Change In Canada

Maggie Lapcewich Appointed President, Diageo Canada;

Debra Kelly-Ennis to Transition to Project Role

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May 31, 2012, 12:45 ET

NORWALK, Conn., May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, the world's leading premium beer, wine and spirits company, announced today the appointment of Maggie Lapcewich as President of Diageo Canada effective July 1. Maggie succeeds Debra Kelly-Ennis who has decided to leave Diageo Canada.

"Maggie's breadth of experience makes her a great fit to run the Canada business," said Larry Schwartz, President, Diageo North America. "From marketing to business execution to building relationships, Maggie has the right portfolio to build on our successful track record in Canada."

Serving most recently as President Global Tequila managing the Jose Cuervo & Don Julio brands and Diageo's global tequila strategy and execution, Maggie brings not only valuable marketing, but also solid sales and business experience.

Maggie has been with Diageo for 19 years, and in this time has held a number of positions including President, National Accounts as well as General Manager roles for Illinois/Indiana and the Central Control states, which have given her broad and deep experience in sales as well as customer and consumer marketing.

Maggie will report to Larry Schwartz and will continue to serve on the Diageo North America Executive Team.

As President & CEO of Diageo Canada, Debra has delivered strong performance during her four years running that business. Under Debra's leadership, Diageo Canada has received recognition as a Great Place to Work for four consecutive years by the Great Place to Work Institute.

"Debra has created an impressive legacy at Diageo and I greatly appreciate her contributions. I know she will be successful in her future endeavors and wish her only the best." said Ivan Menezes, Chief Operating Officer, Diageo Plc.

Debra will remain working with Diageo into early next calendar year, when she will leave the company. She plans to focus on Board Directorship positions as she has today with Pulte Homes and Carnival Cruise Lines and will continue her advisory role with Dress for Success, a global charity focused on putting women back to work.

About Diageo

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards Wines.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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SOURCE Diageo