Sir Ivan Menezes, the longtime leader of Diageo, the largest producer of spirits in the world, passed away at the age of 63 following a brief illness.
The Indian-born boss of the Guinness-making company was reported to have passed away on Wednesday, with his family by his side.
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This is an incredibly sad day. Ivan was undoubtedly one of the finest leaders of his generation.
Javier Ferrán, Chairman of Diageo said.
Sir Ivan Menezes was confirmed to be hospitalized earlier in the week as Diageo had confirmed. He was set to retire at the end of this month, before his death.
Diageo is the leading producer of spirits with products like; Gordon’s gin, Smirnoff, Guinness, and Johnnie Walker whisky.
The boss had been serving the company for more than 20 years, as the company’s chairman confirmed. He has been eulogized as a genuine man and a graceful leader by other business owners in his industry and beyond including Starbucks CEO.
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I got to know Ivan 31 years ago in London, when he was already a leader on the move and I was an intern at his company in the summer between the two years at business school. I remember how he stopped one afternoon just to make me feel welcome. Over the years, our paths have crossed in the US, India and finally in London- as two CEOs of Indian origin, leading companies, through a very difficult COVID period.
Starbucks CEO, Laxman Narasimhan wrote on LinkedIn.
Menezes leaves behind two children, Rohini and Nikhil, as well as his wife Shibani (née Mitra).
