Crafting partnerships for growth

Earlier this month, we brought together 50 of our strategic suppliers for our first Crafting Partnerships Summit at Guinness Open Gate Brewery, London. The event marked a new chapter in how we work with our partners to create value, accelerate innovation and support growth.

Every bottle of Johnnie Walker, can of Smirnoff Ice and pint of Guinness draws on expertise from across Diageo and the many organisations we work with globally. From ingredients, packaging and logistics to technology, marketing and specialist expertise, our suppliers and agencies play an important role in helping us craft iconic drinks chosen for life’s moments.

Leaders from across Diageo joined suppliers to explore the opportunities ahead and discuss how we can work differently together.

Opening the summit, Stuart Caborn, Global Chief Procurement Officer, said:

“The real power of this room isn't measured by revenue. It's measured by the people, the ideas, the expertise, the technology, the creativity and the innovation represented here today. Imagine what becomes possible when organisations with that collective capability stop thinking as customers and suppliers, and start thinking as true partners.”

Stuart Caborn
Chief Procurement Officer

The message was clear: becoming more competitive requires us to change how we work with our strategic partners. That means simpler ways of working, clearer priorities, faster decisions and involving partners earlier where their expertise can make a difference – reflecting the three behaviours at the heart of how we’re changing Diageo: One Team. Competitive. Decisive.

Our Chief Marketing Officer, Cristina Diezhandino, explored how changing consumer behaviour is reshaping brand discovery and choice, challenging partners to bring their best ideas, capabilities and insight to help Diageo respond faster.

The summit also looked at the future of procurement, with Nandini Basuthakur, Chief Executive Officer, Procurement Leaders, joining Ewan Andrew, Diageo’s President of Global Supply Chain & Procurement for a fireside conversation.

“We have strong supplier relationships, but there’s more we can get from working together. We need to bring our partners in earlier, engage fully into their ideas and capabilities, and focus on how we grow the category through our brands and create value together.”

Ewan Andrew
President, Global Supply Chain & Procurement