Diageo sheds nearly 2,000 jobs as 'Drastic Dave' leads overhaul

Diageo's total headcount fell more than 6% year-on-year by the end of June, its annual report showed, as the world's top spirits maker ‌embarks on ⁠a restructuring ⁠under new CEO Dave Lewis.

The company reported an ​average of 27,938 employees on a full-time equivalent basis, excluding staff ​of associates and joint ventures at the end of fiscal 2026, down from 29,860 in the ​previous year.

Most of the ⁠reductions across ‌its regional markets are expected to ​be completed ​by September 1, implying that ⁠the final number of impacted staff could be ​higher.


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Diageo declined to comment on Reuters' ​request seeking details about the job cuts.

Lewis, nicknamed "Drastic Dave" for his history of cost-cutting at Tesco and Unilever, had said the changes in headcount were focused on global back-office functions and ‌areas of "massive duplication". He has been leading Diageo since January.

As part of a $1 ​billion ​savings plan, ⁠Diageo intends to lower prices on some brands and expand in fast-growing categories, including Guinness and canned cocktails.

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In ​July, Reuters reported that some Diageo teams were cutting around 20% to 30% of their staff as part of deep reductions in overhead.