Diageo

Diageo plc is a big British company that makes and sells alcoholic drinks. It is based in London, England, and works in many places around the world. Some of its most famous brands include Guinness, Johnnie Walker, and Smirnoff.

The company is very important for making Scotch whisky. It runs many distilleries that make a large amount of Scotch whisky.

Diageo is a public company. This means its shares are bought and sold on big stock markets. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange, where it is part of the FTSE 100 Index, and also on the New York Stock Exchange as American depositary receipts.

History

Diageo was formed in 1997 by combining two companies: Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc. Shares in Diageo began trading on the London Stock Exchange on 17 December 1997. The name Diageo comes from a Latin word meaning "day" and a Greek root meaning "earth".

After forming, Diageo sold some of its non-drink businesses to focus on making alcoholic drinks. This included selling a food company and a fast-food restaurant chain. Diageo also bought many drink brands from different countries.

In later years, Diageo sold some of its beer and wine brands and bought new ones, including a non-alcoholic spirits brand in 2024.

Operations

Diageo runs many whisky distilleries in Scotland and around the world. It owns brands and also a part of the Moet Hennessy drinks division of the French luxury goods company LVMH. Diageo works in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia–Pacific, and Africa.

As of January 2026, the company's leaders are Chairman John Manzoni and Chief Executive Officer Sir Dave Lewis.

The company has moved its head office several times. It started in Henrietta Place in the Marylebone area of the City of Westminster in London. In 2009, it moved to Park Royal in the London Borough of Brent. In 2022, Diageo moved again to Great Marlborough Street in London.

Diageo owns many whisky distilleries, including several in Scotland for making Scotch whisky. It also has distilleries for Irish, American, and Canadian whiskey.

Brands

Diageo owns many different drinks. Some popular ones are:

• Scotch whisky: This includes single malt brands like Talisker and blended brands like Johnnie Walker.
• Beer: Famous brands are Guinness and Smithwick's.
• Vodka: Well-known brands are Smirnoff and Ketel One.
• Other drinks: They also make gin, like Tanqueray, and rum, like Captain Morgan.

Business

Diageo is a big company that makes drinks. In June 2023, one of its factories in Scotland won a prize for making great whisky. In May 2025, Diageo agreed to support a big soccer event in North, Central, and South America. Also, one of its famous drinks became the official beer for a top soccer league in 2024.

Diageo cares about people drinking safely. It has a website with tips about drinking. The company wants to teach many people about drinking responsibly, including young people, so they understand the risks of drinking too much or before they are old enough.