Diageo’s Chief Executive Officer Sir Ivan Menezes died on June 7 after a short illness at the age of 63. Diageo had appointed Debra Crew as Interim CEO while Menezes recovered from emergency surgery on a stomach ulcer on June 5. Ahead of her appointment on July 1, Menezes planned to retire from the company on June 23 after 10 years leading the global company as its CEO. In a statement, Diageo announced Menezes had died with his family at his side. Javier Ferrán, Chairman, Diageo, called Menezes “one of the finest leaders of his generation,” who oversaw an outstanding period of change, growth and high performance. “Ivan was there at the creation of Diageo and over 25 years shaped Diageo to become one of the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer companies,” he said. Diageo’s brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.