What It Does: Diageo manufactures, distributes, and markets alcoholic beverages such as beers, spirits, and wines.
Mission: The company’s mission is to celebrate life daily and everywhere.
Size and Presence: Diageo's workforce in the UK comprises more than 4,500 employees across 64 locations, including a factory in Northern Ireland and 29 distilleries in Scotland.
Best Known For: Until 2017, Diageo was best known as the largest distiller in the world. The company is a parent organisation to top-rated beverage brands such as Guinness, Smirnoff, Baileys, Ciroc, Buchanan’s, Casamigos, Johnny Walker, Don Julio, Captain Morgan, Retel One Vodka, etc.
The Good Bits: Employees are ensured of promising career prospects in the company. Diageo offers juicy employment incentives in addition to basic compensation. The work-life balance is excellent.
The origin of this company dates back to 1997 when Grand Metropolitan and Guinness Plc agreed to a merger deal. Anthony Greener, a former Guinness Employee, assumed the position of executive chairman. That same year, Diageo was listed on the London Stock Exchange. The company also sold off Bombay Sapphire Gin to Bacardi. In 2000, the company sold Pillsbury to General Mills, and two years later, it sold Burger King. In 2001, the company purchased the wine and spirit businesses of Seagram. In 2003, Diageo entered into a joint venture with Jose Cuervo to acquire Don Julio, a tequila brand. The company sold 50% of the company’s stake to Jose Cuervo for $100 million (£82.3 million).
In 2011, Diageo purchased Mey Icki for $2.1 billion (£1.7 billion) and also acquired Ypioca, a leading beverage brand in Brazil, the following year for $300 million (£247 million). Later that year, Diageo invested £1 billion in the production of Scotch Whiskey over the next few years and increased its production rate by 30-40%. In late 2012, Diageo acquired a majority stake in United Spirits, a beverage brand in India, for approximately £1.3 billion. In late 2022, Diageo acquired Mr Black, an Australian cold brew coffee liqueur brand and also announced that it intends to acquire Balcones Distilling, a Texas-based Whiskey distiller.
Diageo is defined by five core values:
The company is invested in the well-being of its workforce, so it creates an inclusive environment where everyone can feel valued and respected. The company treats its workers fairly and ensures there is equitable access to employment benefits. Diageo believes in unity and diversity and incorporates this into its hiring culture. The company’s workforce comprises employees who embody racial, religious, cultural, political, and sexual diversity.
Diageo takes the career development of its employees seriously. The company has a global graduate program which gives freshers a chance to make a real impact in the company. The training includes virtual connect sessions, mentoring and coaching from more experienced colleagues, formal training, and on-the-job training. These graduate programs are spread across various fields of specialisation in the company. This career program will introduce new graduates to a vibrant network of like minds across business areas and regions. The valuable work experience, skills, and qualifications will be the vital tools they need to accelerate their career growth. The program lasts for 36 months.
A fresh graduate working at Diageo earns an average salary of £24,000 yearly.
Diageo aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its productions by 2030. The company also intends to educate 10 million people in the UK about the dangers of underage drinking.
There's no widely published controversy in the UK.