We are delighted that several Diageo leaders have been included in the 2024 Empower Role Model Lists, the annual ranking that showcases international business leaders who are breaking down barriers for people of colour and actively driving a more inclusive working environment.

This is a wonderful recognition of the progress these individuals, and Diageo, have made to champion inclusivity across everything we do, and we are extremely proud that Tom Shropshire, Diageo’s General Counsel and Company Secretary, has ranked number one in the Executive List.

As one of the most senior Black executives in the UK, and the only Black General Counsel & Company Secretary in a leading FTSE company, Tom’s ranking reflects his ongoing dedication to creating the most inclusive culture where everyone can be their best. At Diageo he is the Executive Sponsor of the Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Employee Resource Groups, as well as advising the African Heritage (AHEAD), supporting both of the Group’s strategy and ambitions as well as regularly connecting, coaching, and advising the co-leads on how best to have a sustainable impact.

Outside of Diageo, Tom is a trustee of the New York University School of Law, a director of General Counsel for Diversity & Inclusion, a patron of the AMOS Bursary, and in December 2023 became Interim Chair of Comic Relief, who acknowledged in his announcement that Tom had become a “recognised leader in diversity, equity and inclusion”. This is the fourth year that Tom has featured in the Lists.

Diageo’s Chief HR Officer Louise Prashad has featured in the Advocates List for the third year in a row, ranking #8. Louise is the Executive member responsible for the design and implementation of Diageo's Inclusion and Diversity strategy, and has been recognised for her commitment to championing diversity in the workplace and for creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Samori Gambrah, Global Brand Director for Captain Morgan, has featured alongside Tom in the Executive List, a reflection of the progress the brand has made in recent years to break stereotypes across all intersectionalities, as well as Samori’s personal commitment to championing diversity both inside of Diageo and in wider society. Over the past 12 months, Captain Morgan has celebrated diversity in front and behind the camera through several campaigns, including ‘Enjoy Slow’ and ‘Why You Whying’.

Finally, Kristel Travis, Procurement Director, Supplier Diversity & Responsible Sourcing, has ranked #12 in the Future Leaders List. Kristel plays a leading role in pushing Diageo’s Inclusion & Diversity agenda in North America, and as a co-chair for AHEAD she leads the planning and execution of tentpole moments throughout the year including Black Heritage Month.

Diageo’s commitment to ethnic diversity

Diageo employs over 30,000 people of 115 nationalities in over 70 countries, which means we already have a diverse workforce representing the markets in which we operate. However, to ensure we truly represent the markets we operate in. we want to have ethnic diversity at every level of our business, with a focus on our leadership.

We have stretching goals to achieve 50% women in leadership roles and 45% from ethnically diverse backgrounds by 2030, and today, 40% of our Board and 43% of our leadership population, including our Executive Committee, is ethnically diverse. And to turn our words into action, our Ethnic Diversity Framework supports markets in defining multi-year plans covering talent representation and development, supplier ethnic diversity, and inclusive marketing.

Beyond our business, we work hard to champion ethnic diversity with our suppliers and partners, and we are also committed to growing a more diverse drinks industry and supporting innovative entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. This includes expanding our ‘Learning for Life’ approach to tackle barriers to ethnic diversities in hospitality, with Distill Ventures’ Pre-Accelerator programme, which is funded by Diageo, supporting drinks founders from underrepresented groups in the early stages of their brands.

We’re proud of our progress, but change doesn’t happen overnight and we’re constantly learning and striving to do more.