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Praveen Someshwar to Succeed Hina Nagarajan as Diageo India’s New CEO

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Diageo India has announced the appointment of Praveen Someshwar as its next CEO, set to take over from Hina Nagarajan in April. Nagarajan, who has been with Diageo India since 2021, will transition to a global executive role within the British alco-bev giant.

Praveen brings extensive leadership experience, having served as MD and CEO of HT Media for the past five years. Prior to this, he spent 24 years at PepsiCo, holding key roles in general management, finance, and strategy across India and the Asia Pacific region.

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Under Hina Nagarajan’s tenure, Diageo India witnessed significant transformation. She was the first woman to lead the largest liquor company in India, driving a premiumisation strategy that redefined the company’s portfolio. Nagarajan’s leadership saw the sale of 32 lower-end brands and a franchise arrangement for 11 others. As a result, premium products now account for over 87% of Diageo India’s sales, a marked increase from 72% when she assumed leadership.

“Hina has left an indelible mark on Diageo India by fostering growth, premiumising the portfolio, and building a diverse, talented team. As she moves into a global role, her impact will continue to resonate,” said Diageo CEO Debra Crew.

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Someshwar’s appointment comes as Diageo continues to navigate India’s highly regulated liquor market, where pricing, distribution, and retail are tightly controlled by state governments. Despite these challenges, India remains the world’s largest whiskey market and a key growth region for Diageo, which has invested $3.5 billion in the country over the past decade.

With brands like Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray, and Smirnoff in its portfolio, Diageo is poised for further expansion under Praveen’s leadership. “Praveen’s expertise in managing consumer businesses and his passion for strategy and execution will drive the next chapter of Diageo India’s growth story,” Crew added.

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