21st Sep 2007 07:02
Diageo PLC21 September 2007 21 September 2007 DIAGEO ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Diageo plc has today announced changes to its Board of directors. Jonathan Symonds has served one term as a non-executive director of Diageo,having been appointed in May 2004, and retires by rotation at the company's AGMon 16 October 2007. Having assumed a new external role he will not seek afurther term on the Board. Mr Symonds will retire as chairman of Diageo's AuditCommittee on 21 September 2007 to comply with US audit committee independencestandards as he assumes his new external role. Philip Scott, Group Finance Director of Aviva plc, will be appointed to theDiageo Board, effective 17 October 2007. He will be appointed chairman of theAudit Committee and a member of the Nomination Committee and RemunerationCommittee. Paul Walker, a non-executive director who has served on the Board for fiveyears, is appointed chairman of the Audit Committee for the interim period (from22 September to 16 October 2007). Commenting on these Board changes, Lord Blyth said: "We will be sorry to lose Jon, who has made a major contribution to the Board,especially as chairman of the Audit Committee. I am delighted to welcome Philip to the Diageo Board. During his long career atAviva, Philip has been responsible for the strategic development of itsbusinesses in North America and Asia Pacific, in particular creating newoperations in China and India. His experience will further enhance our Board." ENDS For further information: Diageo media enquiries to:Isabelle Thomas [email protected] +44 (0) 20 7927 5967 Diageo investor relations enquiries to:Darren Jones [email protected] +44 (0) 20 7927 4223 Aviva media enquiries to:Sue Winston, head of group media relations +44 (0)20 7662 8221Hayley Stimpson, director of group media relations +44 (0)20 7662 7544James Murgatroyd/Ed Simpkins, Finsbury +44 (0)20 7251 3801 Notes to editor: 1. Philip Scott became group finance director of Aviva in July 2007. Philip is aboard director of Aviva plc and non-executive chairman of Morley, Aviva's fundmanagement business. In his previous role as group executive director, Avivainternational, Philip was responsible for the strategic development of Aviva'sbusinesses in North America and Asia-Pacific. Philip is a fellow of theInstitute of Actuaries (FIA). He is a regular speaker at internationalconferences and a recognised authority on life and pensions issues. A fullbiography follows. 2. Diageo's other non-executive directors are: Lord Hollick (Senior IndependentDirector and chairman of the Remuneration Committee), Laurence Danon, Dr FranzHumer (who will become Chairman of Diageo on 1 July 2008), Maria Lilja, WilliamShanahan, Todd Stitzer and Paul Walker. Executive members of the board are PaulWalsh (CEO), Nick Rose (CFO). 3. Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business. With its globalvision, and local marketing focus, Diageo brings to consumers an outstandingcollection of beverage alcohol brands across the spirits, wine and beercategories including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, J&B, Cuervo,Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyardswines. Diageo trades in some 180 countries around the world and is listed onboth the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). Formore information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us atwww.diageo.com 4. Aviva is the leading provider of life and pensions to Europe with substantialpositions in other markets around the world, making it the world's fifth largestinsurance group based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2006. Aviva'sprincipal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and generalinsurance, with worldwide total sales of £41.5 billion and assets undermanagement of £364 billion at 31 December 2006. The Aviva media centre atwww.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a newsrelease archive. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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