According to numerous news reports, Diageo North America CEO Sally Grimes has stepped down from her position with the company, and the global beverage company has named John O’Keeffe to be the new CEO and president of Diageo North America.
O’Keeffe moves to the North American business after leading Diageo’s Asia-Pacific, India and travel businesses. Grimes, who joined Diageo in the North American leadership role in 2023, has left the company to focus on a foundation dedicated to her late son, according to a LinkedIn post cited by Morningstar and other news outlets. She had previously held executive roles with Clif Bar and Tyson Foods.
It’s the latest change in leadership for Diageo, who just appointed Dave Lewis to group CEO at the beginning of the year. At least one analyst believes O’Keeffe is a strong choice to take over for Grimes, said the Morningstar report, based on his tenure, experience and regard with the investor community.
About the Author
Andy Hanacek
Senior Editor
Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.