Diageo’s ousted CEO Debra Crew set for $5m payout
Debra Crew, who stepped down as Diageo CEO in July after just over a year in the role, is set to walk away with a multi-million-dollar payoff.
The drinks giant’s annual report shows Crew’s remuneration climbed from $3.8m to $4.8m in her final year, with her annual incentive nearly doubling to $1.5m.
It is understood that, following her official departure on 30 September, she will also receive a payment in lieu of notice for the remainder of her 12-month contract, as well as being allowed to keep some long-term share awards after being classed a “good leaver.”
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However, it appears Crew will also lose out on incentive payments for next year and forfeit awards granted in 2023 and 2024.
Last month Diageo, owner of Guinness and Johnnie Walker, revealed it had launched a formal search for her successor, with CFO Nik Jhangiani acting as interim chief executive.
Crew’s tenure was marred by misfortune, including the drinks giant’s issuing a profit warning within five months of taking charge after the group misread sales trends in Latin America.
In February, the business cut its medium-term sales growth guidance citing global uncertainty, particularly around the then potential US tariffs and changing consumer behaviour.



