Diageo announces appointment to its Board of Directors - January 2022
Diageo announces the appointment of Karen Blackett, OBE, as a Non-Executive Director, effective 1 June 2022. Karen will also join the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees on appointment.
With 25 years’ experience in the marketing communications industry, Karen is UK Country Manager for WPP plc and CEO of GroupM UK. Prior to her current roles, Karen worked at CIA MediaNetwork, Zenith Media and The Media Business Group, before joining MediaCom, where she was successively Marketing Director, COO, CEO and Chairwoman.
Karen is non-executive director of Creative England, The MOBO Trust and The Creative Industry Federation. She is also a non-executive director of the UK government’s Cabinet Office Board, having previously been appointed UK Race Equality Business Champion and a Department for International Trade Business Ambassador for No.10.
In 2014 Karen was appointed OBE for services to media and communications and since 2018, has served as Chancellor of Portsmouth University.
Diageo chairman, Javier Ferrán, said:
“I am very pleased to announce that Karen will join the Diageo Board in June 2022. Karen is a strong leader with extensive experience of the media, marketing and creative industries, and is a passionate advocate for inclusion, diversity and creating opportunities for all. I look forward to working with her in progressing Diageo’s ambition to become one of the most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world.”
In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.15, Diageo confirms that there are no further details to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13.