Diageo, created through the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness in December 1997, has become a global leader in beverage alcohol, with its products now sold in 180 countries.
The maker of some of the world’s most iconic drinks including Johnnie Walker Scotch, Smirnoff vodka, Tanqueray gin and Guinness stout has reached its 20th anniversary – celebrating the milestone around the world with the company’s 30,400 employees..
Celebrations included a time capsule ceremony at the home of Johnnie Walker – Cardhu distillery in Speyside – to employees in Lagos, Nigeria and Sydney, Australia toasting the occasion with a dram of Johnnie Walker Black Label.
Diageo’s chief executive Ivan Menezes said: “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past 20 years, which is testament to the commitment of our talented employees past and present. Diageo is a young company created from the incredible entrepreneurial legacy of John Walker, Pierre Smirnoff, Charles Tanqueray, Arthur Guinness and many more – and this spirit continues today.
“Our brands are part of celebrations globally every day and as we mark this milestone it is not only the growth of our brands and business that I will be toasting, but the way we do business. We have made great strides in diversity and inclusion, minimising our environmental impact, our contribution to the communities where we operate and in our aim to reduce the harmful use of alcohol around the world.”
In October, Diageo announced its investment to bring back two lost distilleries, Port Ellen and Brora.