Diageo appoints current Informa and Serco chair to board as director

Tue, 16th Sep 2025 12:03

(Alliance News) - Diageo PLC on Tuesday said it has appointed the outgoing chair of Serco Group PLC and serving Informa PLC Chair, John Rishton, to its board as a non-executive director from the start of November.

Rishton will retire as chair of Hampshire, England-based government services outsourcing provider Serco at the end of the year, but will remain chair of the London-based international events, digital services, and academic publishing business Informa.

Rishton was previously chief executive of Rolls Royce Group PLC from 2011 to 2015 and chief executive and president of Dutch supermarket group Royal Ahold NV.

He has also served in non-executive roles at companies including Unilever PLC and Associated British Ports Holdings Ltd.

Rishton will also join the audit and nomination committees at the London-based brewer and distiller, which owns brands ranging from Guinness stout to Johnnie Walker whisky.

"I am delighted with John's appointment to the Diageo board. John is a highly regarded business leader with extensive experience in a wide variety of industries, including in consumer and retail businesses, and a track record of creating sustainable, long-term value for stakeholders," said Diageo Chair John Manzoni.

Shares in Diageo are down 0.7% at 1,833.50 pence in London at midday on Tuesday.

By Michael Hennessey, Alliance News reporter

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