Diageo’s head of European operations, Soraya Benchikh, is set to leave the company having only assumed her current position at the start of this year.
Benchikh, who joined the group from British American Tobacco in mid-2020 as MD for Northern Europe, is returning to BAT on 1 May next year to be its CFO. Diageo split the Europe, Turkey & India president role in January, with Benchikh taking on Europe, when John Kennedy announced his departure.
Details of who will take the reins as Europe president – and Benchikh’s seat on Diageo’s executive committee – were not immediately available.
“We thank Soraya for her contribution to Diageo,” a company spokesperson said. “She has been a key part of a strong team that has delivered double-digit sales growth in Europe over the past three years. We wish her all the best for the future.”
Writing on LinkedIn today, Benchikh said: “Nearly four magical years at Diageo will be coming to an end when I take up a new role as CFO at BAT next year. What an incredible journey I’ve been privileged to share with a group of truly extraordinary people throughout the European region and the group.
“A warm thank you to [Diageo chair] Javier Ferran and [CEO] Debra Crew. I am grateful for your trust and unwavering support, giving me the opportunity to be part of Diageo’s executive committee.”
Crew, who was group COO at the time, was confirmed as Iven Menezes’ replacement as CEO in March, but took on the role earlier than planned when Menezes suffered complications from surgery three months later. Menezes passed away in early June.
