E-Malt.com News article: 2828

Diageo plc, the world’s leading premium drinks company, announced on June 23 the appointment of Todd Stitzer, Chief Executive Officer of Cadbury Schweppes Plc, to the Diageo board as a non-executive director, effective 23 June 2004. His appointment brings to eight the number of Diageo's independent non-executive directors. He will be appointed to the Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee. Commenting on the appointment, Lord Blyth, Chairman of Diageo, said: “Todd is a highly respected international businessman and brings an understanding of consumers, markets and brands from a business which shares many characteristics with Diageo. We are delighted to welcome him to the Diageo board.”

Diageo's chairman is James Blyth. Other non-executive directors are: Rodney Chase (Senior Independent Director and chairman of the Remuneration Committee), Lord Hollick, Maria Lilja, Keith Oates (chairman of the Audit Committee), William Shanahan, Jonathan Symonds and Paul Walker. Executive members of the board are Paul Walsh (CEO), Nick Rose (CFO).

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business. With its global vision, and local marketing focus, Diageo brings to consumers an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across the spirits, wine and beer categories including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, J&B, Cuervo, Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo trades in some 180 countries around the world and is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). Diageo had a market capitalisation of £22.8 billion as of the close of the London Stock Exchange on Tuesday, June 22, 2004.

Cadbury Schweppes is a major global company, which manufactures, markets and distributes branded beverages and confectionery products around the world. With origins stretching back over 200 years, today Cadbury Schweppes' products which include brands such as Cadbury, Schweppes, Halls, Trident, Dr Pepper, Snapple, Trebor, Dentyne, Bubblicious and Bassett, are enjoyed in almost every country around the world. The Group employs around 54,000 people and is a leading worldwide confectionery company. It is number one in sugar and functional confectionery, a strong number two in gum and the world's third largest soft drinks company.


25 June, 2004