Diageo appoints Debra Crew as its first female chief executive

Debra Crew will replace Sir Ivan Menezes as Diageo chief executive from 1 July. Photograph: Diageo

The world’s biggest spirits maker, Diageo, has appointed Debra Crew as chief executive, one of few women to lead a FTSE 100 company.

The company, which makes well-known brands including Johnnie Walker scotch whisky, Guinness and Baileys, announced that Sir Ivan Menezes would step down on 30 June after 10 years as chief executive. It decided to promote Crew from chief operating officer to the top job, effective from 1 July.