Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE) has appointed former Tesco boss Sir Dave Lewis as chief executive officer, starting in January.
Lewis, who led the grocery group from 2014 to 2020, also brings three decades of experience at Unilever.
He is also currently chair of Haleon, a role he will step down from at the end of December, and a non-executive board director at PepsiCo.
Diageo chair John Manzoni said the board had undertaken a “thorough global search” before agreeing unanimously on Lewis’s appointment.
"The board unanimously felt that Dave has both the extensive CEO experience, and the proven leadership skills in building and marketing world-leading brands, that is right for Diageo at this time," he said.
"We are confident that Dave will work with the team to take Diageo into its next successful chapter in the evolving consumer environment."
Nik Jhangiani, who stepped into the role of interim CEO when Debra Crew stepped down in July, will resume his position as chief financial officer when Lewis joins.
Lewis said: “Diageo is a world leading business with a portfolio of very strong brands, and I am delighted to be joining the team. The market faces some headwinds but there are also significant opportunities.”