Shaping a more sustainable future: Claire Li talks to us about her experience leading on Johnnie Walker’s sustainability agenda

Tell us about your career journey so far at Diageo

I have had the privilege to work at Diageo for nearly 10 years now, across both regional and global marketing functions.

I joined the Johnnie Walker Global Brand Team in 2017 as Global Marketing Manager, first looking after Johnnie Walker Blue Label, followed by Brand Experience (including the opening of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, our spiritual brand home) as we started a journey of transformation – shaping what the next 200 years will look like for the brand; a future where Johnnie Walker will be the most sustainable whisky portfolio in the world.

As a Global Giant, it is in our power and our responsibility to make a positive impact on the planet, which is why Johnnie Walker is positioned as a key ‘activist brand’, driving forward Diageo’s Spirit of Progress 2030 goals. Today, I proudly lead the brand’s sustainability agenda, reimagining how whisky is made & experienced in order to inspire category and consumer mindset change – a unique role in which I am empowered to lead and inspire through purpose.

You’ve been part of a global team leading the removal of cardboard packaging across some of our Scotch brands including Johnnie Walker and Buchanan’s. Tell us more about this initiative.

We are removing over 183 million cardboard gift boxes (each year) from our premium core Scotch portfolio, globally. This first step in removing unnecessary cardboard packaging represents 85% of our total Scotch individual bottle cartons and is part of our Spirit of Progress commitment.

I am incredibly proud to be leading this inspiring category-led, cross-functional initiative, setting a new benchmark for the industry and shifting consumer mindset around excess packaging in the context of Scotch. After all, the gift is in the bottle, not the box.

This inspiring initiative has allowed me to learn about how our business operates in a multi-faceted way: from grain to glass, in close partnership with customers and into the hands of our consumers. These types of projects are what makes Diageo a brilliant learning environment, providing opportunities to develop beyond the scope of your daily responsibilities.

Top tip for someone hoping to join Diageo?

My top tip for someone joining Diageo would be to keep an open mind about the role you end up doing and enjoying – things are so fast moving that it’s likely that the scope of your role continues to evolve, driven by new culturally relevant agendas, innovations and experiences.

Diageo empowers you to shape your career path whilst following your passion. Through cross-functional working and opportunities to take on a variety of projects you may realize that what excites you may change over time, as you continue to learn about how the business operates and what makes our brands and products truly enviable and unique.

Find career-enhancing challenges across our business, all around the world.