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Diageo

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FY2019 Annual Report · Diageo
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Annual Report 2019

Our performance 2019

Financial

Volume (equivalent units EU) 
2019
2018

EU245.9m
EU240.4m

Net sales(i)
2019
2018

£12,867m
£12, 163m

Non-financial

Positive drinking(iv)
2019

66.02m

 2.3%
 2.3%

Reported movement  
Organic movement 

 5.8%
 6.1%

Number of people reached with moderation
messages from our brands

Reported movement  
Organic movement 

Operating profit 
2019
2018

Reported movement  
Organic movement 

£4,042m
£3,691m

Net cash from operating activities
2019
2018

£3,248m
£3,084m

Health and safety
2019
2018

 9.5%
 9.0%

2019 increase of £164m
2019 free cash flow(ii) £2,608m 

Lost-time accident frequency(v)

Earnings per share (eps) 
2019
2018

Reported movement  
Eps before exceptional items  
movement (ii) 

130.7p
121.7p

 7.4%

 10.3%

(i)  Net sales are sales less excise duties.
(i)  Net sales are sales less excise duties.
(ii) 
(ii)  See definitions and reconciliations on pages 60-65. 
(iii) 
(iii) Includes recommended final dividend of 42.47p.  
(iv)
(iv) We launched a new Positive Drinking strategy last 
year and 2019 is the first year we have reported 
against this 2025 target.  
(v) Per 1,000 full-time employees. 
(v) Per 1,000 full-time employees. 

Total recommended dividend per share(iii)
2019
2018

68.57p
65.3p

Water efficiency(vi)
2019
2018

 5%

(vi)  Data for the year ended 30 June 2018 has been 
(vi)  Data for the year ended 30 June 2018 has been 

restated where relevant in accordance with Diageo’s 
restated where relevant in accordance with Diageo’s 
environmental reporting methodologies.
environmental reporting methodologies.
 Within PwC’s independent limited assurance scope. For further detail 
 ∆ Within PwC’s independent limited assurance scope. For further detail 
and the reporting methodologies, see our Sustainability & Responsibility 
and the reporting methodologies, see our Sustainability & Responsibility 
Performance Addendum 2019.
Performance Addendum 2019.

0.98Δ
1.00

4.64I/IΔ
4.94I/I

Performance by region 2019

North America

Europe  
and Turkey

Africa

Latin America  
and Caribbean

Asia Pacific

Volume (equivalent units)

EU49.4m EU45.4m EU33.6m EU22.4m EU95.1m

Reported 
Organic 

Net sales(i)

 2% Reported 
 2% Organic 

 2% Reported 
 2% Organic 

 1% Reported 
 1% Organic 

 1% Reported 
 1% Organic 

 5%
 5%

£4,460m £2,939m £1,597m £1,130m £2,688m

Reported 
Organic 

 8% Reported 
 5% Organic 

 0% Reported 
 4% Organic 

 7% Reported 
 7% Organic 

 6% Reported 
 9% Organic 

 7%
 9%

Operating profit(ii)

£1,948m £1,014m £275m £365m £703m

Reported 
Organic 

 4% Reported 
 3% Organic 

 1% Reported 
 2% Organic 

 44% Reported 
 50% Organic 

 19% Reported 
 19% Organic 

 24%
 26%

Read more p30-31

Read more p32-33

Read more p34-35

Read more p36-37

Read more p38-39

(i)  Excluding corporate net sales of £53 million (2018 – £52 million). 
(ii)  Excluding exceptional operating charges of £74 million (2018 – £128 million) and net corporate operating costs of £189 million (2018 – £158 million).

  
 
 
 
DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

1

Diageo in 2019

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol 
with an outstanding collection of brands 
across spirits and beer.

Our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. 
Our brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s 
and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, 
Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. 

Our performance ambition is to be one of the best performing, most 
trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. 

We are proud of the brands we make and the enjoyment they give 
to millions. We are passionate about the role alcohol plays in bringing 
people together, to celebrate life every day, everywhere.

Cover image: Tanqueray gin served in 
a Copa glass with tonic, ice and lime.

For more information about Diageo, 
our people and our brands, visit 
www.diageo.com.

Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking 
resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for 
information, initiatives and ways to share 
best practice.

In addition to the economic, social and 
environmental disclosures in this Annual 
Report, Diageo has prepared a 
Sustainability & Responsibility 
Performance Addendum 2019, in line 
with the Global Reporting Initiative 
Sustainability Reporting Standards, the 
Sustainability Accounting Standards 
Board and the United Nations’ Global 
Compact advanced reporting criteria. It 
is available at www.diageo.com.

Diageo is listed on both the London 
Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York  
Stock Exchange (DEO).

This is the Annual Report 2019 of Diageo 
plc for the year ended 30 June 2019. The 
Annual Report is made available to all 
shareholders on Diageo’s website  
(www.diageo.com).

This report includes names of Diageo’s 
products, which constitute trademarks 
or trade names which Diageo owns or 
which others own and license to Diageo 
for use. In this report, the term ‘company’ 
refers to Diageo plc and the terms ‘group’ 
and ‘Diageo’ refer to the company and its 
consolidated subsidiaries, except as the 
context otherwise requires.

Diageo’s consolidated financial 
statements have been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted 
for use in the European Union (EU) and 
IFRS as issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board (IASB). 
References to IFRS hereafter should be 
construed as references to both IFRS, as 
adopted by the EU, and IFRS, as issued by 
the IASB. Unless otherwise indicated, all 
financial information contained in this 
document has been prepared in 
accordance with IFRS.

Unless otherwise stated in this 
document, percentage movements refer 
to organic movements which are 
non-GAAP financial measures. For a 
definition of organic movement and 
reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to 
GAAP measures see pages 60-65. Share

refers to value share. Percentage figures 
presented are reflective of a year-on-year 
comparison, namely 2018-2019, only.

The brand ranking information presented 
in this report, when comparing 
information with competitors, reflects 
data published by sources such as Impact 
Databank. Market data information and 
competitive set classifications are taken 
from independent industry sources in the 
markets in which Diageo operates.  
© Diageo plc 2019

Diageo plc is incorporated and domiciled 
as a public limited company in England  
and Wales. 

Diageo was incorporated as Arthur 
Guinness Son and Company Limited on  
21 October 1886. The group was formed  
by the merger of Grand Metropolitan 
Public Limited Company (GrandMet) and 
Guinness PLC (the Guinness Group) in 
December 1997. Diageo plc’s principal 
executive office is located at Lakeside 
Drive, Park Royal, London NW10 7HQ 
and its telephone number is  
+44 (0) 20 8978 6000.

Cautionary statement: this document 
contains ‘forward-looking’ statements.  
For our full cautionary statement, please 
see page 170.

Contents

Strategic report
Chairman’s statement 
Chief Executive’s statement 
Our business model 
Our strategy 
Our brands 
Our global reach 
How we measure performance:  
key performance indicators 
Market dynamics  
Our stakeholders 
Our strategy in action 
 How we protect our business:  
our principal risks and risk management 
Group financial review 
Business reviews 
Category review 
Sustainability & Responsibility review 
Definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP  
measures to GAAP measures 

Governance
Board of Directors and Company Secretary 
Executive Committee 
Corporate governance report 
Audit Committee report 
Nomination Committee report 
Directors’ remuneration report 
Directors’ report 

Financial statements 
Additional information for shareholders 

2
4
6
8
10
11

12
14
16
17

20
24
30
40
42

60

66
68
69
77
79
80
102

104
172

Non-financial 
information statement

We aim to comply with Section 414CA and 414CB of 
the Companies Act 2006 so non-financial reporting 
is integrated across our Annual Report. This includes 
our business model (page 6), strategy (page 8), 
our KPIs (pages 12-13) and risk, anti-bribery and 
corruption (pages 20-23). Other key sections are:

Our role in society 
Promoting positive drinking 
Building thriving communities 
Human rights 
Reducing our environmental impact 
Our people 

42
45
48 
48
52
58

STRATEGIC REPORT 
2

Chairman’s statement

“We want to have a positive 
impact wherever we operate and 
we are determined to earn trust 
and respect by doing business in 
the right way, from grain to glass. 
For Diageo to thrive, we must 
focus on the long term and 
continue to demonstrate the value 
we create for those around us.”

Javier Ferrán 
Chairman

Recommended final dividend per share

42.47p   5%

2018:  40.4p

Total dividend per share(i)

68.57p   5%

2018:  65.3p

Total shareholder return (%)

27% 

2018:  23%

(i) 

Includes recommended final dividend of 42.47p.

I am pleased to report another 
year of strong and consistent 
performance. Diageo continues 
to make good progress towards its 
ambition of becoming one of the 
best performing, most trusted 
and respected consumer products 
companies in the world and I would 
like to express my thanks to all our 
employees for their continued 
passion and commitment. 

Culture 
Under Ivan’s leadership, Diageo is being 
transformed into a more entrepreneurial 
and creative business. Proximity to the 
consumer and to the trade, the agility to 
adapt to a changing environment and 
speed in execution are increasingly the 
way in which Diageo operates, every day.

A culture of discipline and efficiency has 
also been embedded. This has resulted in 
significant operational savings, which have 
largely been reinvested in the most attractive 
opportunities. These investments not only 
support the growth of our brands and 
strengthen our portfolio, but have also 
allowed us to build more advanced 
capabilities through new technology 
and enhanced training.

Notwithstanding the progress we have made, 
we are not complacent and we continue 
working towards further improvement.

Opportunities for growth
We are a global leader in an industry that 
is growing and premiumising at the same time. 
Around the world, consumers are looking 
for more premium brands and experiences. 
Growth in total beverage alcohol is 
underpinned by strong consumer 
fundamentals: in developed markets, spirits are 
well positioned, on trend and premiumising. 
In emerging markets, we expect an additional 
750 million consumers to be able to afford 
international-style spirits by 2030. 

While we are leaders in global premium 
spirits and have a substantial presence in 
selected beer markets, we produce just 
1.7% of the total formal beverage alcohol 
consumed around the world. So there is ample 
opportunity for us to grow share. We continue 
to see consumers switching from beer and 
wine into spirits. In the United States, spirits 
are taking share from beer; in Europe, spirits are 
taking share from beer and wine; and in many 
markets in Africa, consumers are trading up 
from illicit alcohol into a regulated, well-
manufactured product. Beer consumers are 
also trading up to more premium, flavourful 
and differentiated products. The trend to 
‘drink better, not more,’ is well established 
in many markets. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 20193

Our deep consumer insights and strong 
customer relationships, combined with the 
strength and breadth of our portfolio, mean 
that we are well positioned to take advantage 
of these favourable long-term growth trends.

The global environment
Diageo’s brands are enjoyed in more than 
180 countries and international trade is at 
the heart of our business. Although we are 
not immune from volatility in the global 
environment, our broad footprint, across 
markets and categories, makes us more 
resilient and provides a natural hedge against 
instability in our operating environment.

In particular, while there is considerable 
uncertainty around Brexit, we have robust 
plans in place to cover all scenarios. We do not 
believe the direct financial impact to Diageo 
will be material. Nevertheless, we look forward 
to a clear resolution that will bring certainty to 
business in the United Kingdom.

Our stakeholders
We are committed to engaging and working 
constructively with all our stakeholders. 
Listening and responding to the views and 
needs of those who are touched by our 
operations is fundamental to building a 
sustainable future for our business, our brands 
and the communities in which we live, work, 
source and sell. More detail about our key 
stakeholder groups can be found on page 16.
The Board was particularly pleased that 

our 2019 ‘Your Voice’ employee survey 
showed that 89% of our employees are proud 
to work for Diageo and 77% are extremely 
satisfied with Diageo as a place to work.

We are committed to engaging with our 
employees and ensuring that their voices are 
heard at the highest levels in our business. 
In December, the Board agreed that I will take 
responsibility for workforce engagement, as 
the designated non-executive under the 
2018 UK Corporate Governance Code. I look 
forward to working with our employees 
around the world in order to represent their 
views in the Boardroom. From 2020, we will 
issue an annual ‘workforce engagement 
statement’ explaining how the Board has 
gathered and reviewed employees’ views 
and how these have been considered in the 
Board’s decision making. 

Diageo in society
We want to have a positive impact wherever 
we operate and we are determined to earn 
trust and respect by doing business in the 
right way, from grain to glass. At the core of 
our approach is a commitment to positive 

drinking through encouraging moderation 
and tackling misuse, which Ivan outlines in 
more detail in his statement.

For Diageo to thrive, we must focus on the 
long term and continue to demonstrate the 
value we create for those around us. Social 
purpose was a driving force for the founders 
of many of our brands and is part of the fabric 
of our company today.

Communities
As a global company, we have an important 
role to play in helping the communities where 
we live and work to thrive. This is why we are 
focused on the issues we believe matter most 
in the communities where we source our raw 
materials and where we make and sell our 
products. We take great care to build 
sustainable supply chains and work hard to 
protect the environment and the natural 
resources on which we rely. Our women’s 
empowerment programmes have 
supported around 400,000 women around 
the world. They provide women with equal 
access to the skills and resources they need 
to build a better future for themselves and 
their families.

Our Water of Life programme has reached 

more than 10 million people in India and 
Africa since 2006 – making a real difference 
by supplying vulnerable communities with 
clean water, sanitation and hygiene. This 
year, we reached 232,000 people through 
these programmes. 

Our Learning for Life programme gives 
people around the world the opportunity to 
reach their full potential and enhance their 
employment opportunities, through training 
and education in the hospitality industry and 
other sectors. Since launching in 2008, over 
140,000 people have participated in Learning 
for Life, and typically, more than 70% move 
into permanent jobs.

Creating value
In fiscal 2019, we have delivered another year 
of strong, consistent performance. And we 
continue to make good progress across the 
four areas of performance we measure: 
efficient growth, value creation, credibility 
and trust, and engaged people. 

Our efficient growth key performance 
indicators (KPIs) continue to improve. At the 
same time, return on average invested capital 
(ROIC) and total shareholder return (TSR) both 
increased, to 15.1% and 27% respectively, 
reflecting continued value creation. 

We continue to target dividend cover 
(the ratio of basic earnings per share before 

exceptional items to dividend per share) 
of between 1.8 and 2.2 times. The 
recommended final dividend is 42.47 pence 
per share, an increase of 5%. This brings 
the recommended full-year dividend to 
68.57 pence per share and dividend cover to 
1.9 times. We expect to maintain dividend 
increases at a mid-single digit rate until our 
dividend cover is comfortably back in range. 
Subject to shareholder approval, the final 
dividend will be paid to UK shareholders on 
3 October 2019. Payment will be made to US 
ADR holders on 8 October 2019. This year, 
we purchased 94.7 million shares, returning 
£2.8 billion to shareholders. On 25 July, the 
Board approved plans for a further return of 
capital of up to £4.5 billion to shareholders 
over the three years ending 30 June 2022.

Board changes
In March 2018, we agreed with Ursula Burns 
that her appointment as Non-Executive 
Director would be delayed, as a result of her 
appointment as Executive Chairman at VEON 
Ltd, on an interim basis. In December, we 
agreed with Ursula that, in light of her 
continued commitments at VEON Ltd, 
she would not take up her appointment 
on the Diageo Board.

In April 2019, we announced the 
appointment of Debra Crew as a Non-
Executive Director. Debra’s significant 
experience in FMCG and in executive 
management, as a former CEO, should 
serve Diageo well and complement the 
current Board. 

Looking ahead 
We have continued to improve performance, 
while building a culture of which we can all be 
proud. There is, of course, more to do and we 
are very aware of current volatility in trade and 
geo-politics. Nevertheless, for the benefit of 
our stakeholders, we shall continue to focus 
on delivering sustainable performance and 
long-term value, which are the primary 
areas of focus for the Board and executive 
leadership team. 

Javier Ferrán 
Chairman

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT4

Chief Executive’s statement

“We are determined to build a 
company that will prosper over 
the very long term. We continue 
to improve the quality and pace 
of execution in every part of our 
business: we are combining 
creative flair with leading-edge 
technology and we are investing 
in brand building, innovation, 
our route to consumer and 
data analysis.”

Ivan Menezes 
Chief Executive

Volume movement

2.3%   

2018:  0.7% 

Organic volume movement

2.3%   

2018:  2.5% 

Net sales movement

5.8%   

2018:  0.9% 

Organic net sales movement

6.1%   

2018:  5.0% 

Reported operating profit movement

9.5%   

2018:  3.7% 

Organic operating profit movement

9.0%   

2018:  7.6% 

Our ambition is to be one of the 
best performing, most trusted and 
respected consumer product 
companies. We have delivered 
another year of strong and consistent 
performance, thanks to the 
dedication and hard work of my 
28,400 colleagues across Diageo. 
I am very proud of the company 
we are building together and the 
positive social and economic impact 
we have on the many communities 
around the world where we make 
and sell our brands. 

Creating value
The global economy is becoming more 
volatile, with significant challenges to 
international trade and the institutions that 
have underpinned prosperity for many 
decades. Our business will not be immune 
to international disruption but the depth 
and breadth of our portfolio, as well as the 
discipline and focus of our people, give us 
confidence in our resilience as we navigate 
these headwinds.

We are determined to build a company 
that will prosper over the very long term. 
We continue to improve the quality and pace 
of execution in every part of our business. 

We combine creative flair with leading-edge 
technology and invest in brand building, 
innovation, our route to consumer and 
data analysis. 

Our people are also proud of the positive 
impact our business makes around the world. 
The reach of our brands and marketing 
allows us to promote moderation and tackle 
alcohol misuse. We believe we are one of 
the leading companies in reducing carbon 
emissions and water use. Our global skills 
and empowerment programmes have 
helped hundreds of thousands of people 
in the communities where we live, work, 
source and sell.

Performance
Fiscal 2019 has been another year of strong 
performance. We have continued to execute 
our strategy consistently and effectively to 
deliver growth. Our broad geographic 
footprint and leading portfolio position us 
well to capture future growth. In international 
spirits, we have a leading position in the 
United States, the world’s largest profit pool, 
alongside leadership positions in many other 
markets. We strive to win with consumers 
through the combination of creative flair and 
data-led insight in marketing and innovation. 
This, coupled with our culture of everyday 
efficiency and financial discipline, supports 
our ambition to be a reliable compounder of 
growth. Our strategy is delivering consistent 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
5

top-line performance, sustained margin 
expansion and increased investment in 
our brands and business. 

Reported net sales were up 5.8%, with 
organic growth partially offset by acquisitions 
and disposals. All regions contributed to 
broad based organic net sales growth, which 
was up 6.1%. We delivered organic operating 
profit growth of 9.0%, ahead of net sales 
growth. This was driven by improved price/
mix and benefits from our focus on everyday 
efficiency, partially offset by an 8% increase 
in marketing investment, and cost inflation. 
Reported operating profit grew 9.5%, driven 
by organic growth. 

Reported and organic net sales grew 
across all categories, with the exception of 
rum. Our global giant brands grew organic 
net sales 5%, with Johnnie Walker up 7%, 
Tanqueray up 19%, Guinness up 2%, Baileys 
up 4% and Smirnoff up 3%. Captain Morgan 
was down 2%. Our local stars were up 6% and 
reserve was up 11%, with particularly strong 
performances from Chinese white spirits, Ketel 
One and Don Julio, up 22%, 10% and 26% 
respectively. Earnings per share before 
exceptionals was strongly up again this year, 
increasing 10.3%. This was primarily driven 
by higher organic operating profit and lower 
finance charges. We achieved another year of 
strong consistent free cash flow performance, 
delivering £2.6 billion. 

We continue to invest and innovate to 
build our brands for the future. ‘White Walker 
by Johnnie Walker’ successfully recruited new 
consumers into the Johnnie Walker brand 

2019 net sales by category (%) 

  Scotch 
Vodka 
US Whiskey 
Canadian Whisky 
Rum 
IMFL Whisky 

25%
11%
2%
7%
6%
5%

  Liqueurs 
Gin 
Tequila 
Beer 
Ready to drink 
Other 

5%
4%
4%
16%
6%
9%

(see more on page 17). We also announced 
a £150 million investment in Scotch whisky 
tourism, including a new Johnnie Walker 
Experience in Edinburgh; a $130 million 
expansion of our Bulleit distillery in Kentucky; 
and we increased our shareholding in 
Sichuan Shuijingfang Co., Ltd, our super-
premium baijiu business in China, from 40% 
to 63%.

Trusted and respected
We are proud to be the stewards of some of 
the most iconic brands in the world. These 
were built over generations by people who 
understood the importance of building a 
business for the long term, not just today. 
We are also determined to build a business 
that makes a positive impact on the issues 
that matter most to wider society. 

We are passionate about the role our 
brands play in celebrations around the world 
and are committed to ensuring our products 
are used in a responsible way. We have a 
long-standing commitment to promoting 
positive drinking through encouraging 
moderation and tackling alcohol misuse. 
Thanks to the commitment and efforts of 
our colleagues around the world, we are 
making rapid progress towards our 2025 
targets to educate five million young 
people, parents and teachers about the 
dangers of underage drinking; collect 50 
million pledges to never drink and drive; and 
reach 200 million people with moderation 
messages through our brands. 

Our customers around the world are 
rightly concerned about the environment 
and climate change, as we see extreme 
weather events and the resulting social 
dislocation becoming more common. 
We are determined to act and our progress 
is being recognised. Many of you will be 
familiar with CDP, formerly the Carbon 
Disclosure Project, the leading global 
disclosure system for environmental 
reporting. In February, Diageo and only 
19 other companies out of 7,000 globally, 
were rated “Double A” for climate and water 
performance. We were the only alcohol 
company to achieve this status year on year.
I am particularly pleased that we have 
been recognised for our work to promote 
inclusion and diversity. I believe inclusivity is 
at the heart of our company and the more 
we become representative of the consumers 
we serve, the more it will fuel our success. This 
year, we ranked fourth in the Thomson 
Reuters Global Diversity and Inclusion 
Index; were recognised in the Bloomberg 

Gender Equality Index; and were also ranked 
by Equileap as the top company for gender 
equality in the United Kingdom. Today, 40% 
of Diageo’s Executive Committee are 
women and we want our global senior 
leadership team to reach the same level of 
female participation by 2025 (we are currently 
at 36%). 

This year, we put in place ground-breaking 

family leave policies for both men and 
women to support and retain parents within 
our business and to ensure that we continue 
to attract the best people possible to 
build their careers at Diageo. In April, we 
announced that all parents employed by 
Diageo in the United Kingdom are eligible for 
the same fully paid 26 weeks’ leave, retaining 
benefits and bonuses regardless of gender. 
In May, we started a global roll-out of this 
ambitious new family leave policy, which 
offers female employees in all markets a 
minimum of 26 weeks of fully paid maternity 
leave. This policy sets a global minimum 
standard of four weeks’ paternity leave on full 
pay in all markets, with a significant number 
of our businesses moving to 26 weeks’ fully 
paid paternity leave.

Outlook
Today, Diageo is a stronger, more agile 
business. We have embedded a culture of 
everyday efficiency and removed complexity, 
and we seek continuously to improve the way 
we operate. This enables us to anticipate 
and adapt to changing consumer trends 
and economic conditions more quickly. 
As we look ahead to the three years 
ending 30 June 2022, I expect Diageo to 
maintain organic net sales growth in the 
mid-single digit range and to grow organic 
operating profit ahead of net sales in the 
range of 5% to 7%. 

Our strategy is delivering, but we are not 
complacent and we continue to challenge 
ourselves. As we look to fiscal 2020 and 
beyond, we remain focused on building 
a strong and sustainable future for our 
business, our brands and the societies and 
communities where we live and work.

Ivan Menezes 
Chief Executive

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Our business model

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with  
a portfolio of iconic spirits and beer brands.

We have a broad portfolio across categories and price points. Our 
portfolio and geographic reach position us to deliver sustainable 
performance and create value for our shareholders.

The consumer is at the heart of our business. Using our proven 
marketing and innovation skills, we aim to build and sustain strong 
brands that play a positive role in society.

Our organisation is structured in a market-based model. This means 

we have greater agility and can better apply our strategy in individual 
countries to meet the diverse needs of our consumers and customers. 

It also enables us to quickly identify and shape consumer trends 
to support growth.

We use our local and global market expertise to identify and deliver 
against the most valuable growth opportunities. Our global supply 
capabilities enable us to manufacture and distribute our brands 
efficiently and effectively. Where it makes sense to do so, we source 
and produce locally.

We are passionate about our role in society and the responsibility 

we have to our stakeholders, communities and the environment.

What we do

We innovate
Led by consumer insights, we 
unlock new opportunities to 
recruit and re-recruit consumers 
to our brands. We innovate with 
new offerings that meet 
changing consumer demands.

We make
We are the makers of premium 
spirits and beer, committed to 
the highest quality and standards.

We market
We invest in world-class 
marketing to responsibly build 
vibrant brands that resonate 
with our consumers.

We sell
We extend our sales reach
through leading activations and 
advocacy to ensure our brands 
are part of consumer celebrations 
around the world.

Key highlights

200+

Brands

180

Countries

150+

Production  
sites

28,400

Employees

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

7

How we operate

Broad portfolio 
Each market has the flexibility to select the 
best portfolio of brands to capture unique 
consumer opportunities. We then invest in 
opportunities that we believe offer the most 
valuable growth.

Our role in society 
We are committed to playing a positive role  
in society. We work to reduce alcohol harm 
and promote moderation, increase access  
to opportunities for local communities and 
reduce our environmental impact. 

Markets 
We operate through a market-based 
structure so we can act on local consumer 
insights and identify trends quickly to deliver 
locally relevant solutions. 

Global functions, 
support and governance
Our markets are supported by global 
functional teams and a broad range of shared  
services. Together, these drive the sharing 
of best practice, enhance efficiency and 
help build in-market capabilities. We set 
our standards for governance, compliance 
and ethics globally. 

Our people
We want all our employees around the world 
to reach their full potential and play their  
part in the success of our business. We have 
created an inclusive and diverse culture with 
shared values and a common purpose.

Our values 
Passionate about consumers; be the best; 
freedom to succeed; proud of what we do; 
valuing each other.

Our brands 
We own two of the world’s five largest spirits 
brands by value, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff, 
and 23 of the world’s top 100 spirits brands by 
value(i). We own Guinness, the 4th largest 
premium beer brand by value(ii).

Our geographic footprint 
We have broad reach in the United States  
and Europe and leading positions in many  
of the markets that are expected to generate 
most of the medium-term industry growth. 

Brilliant execution 
We use cutting-edge consumer insights  
and marketing. We innovate at scale and  
we develop winning relationships with our 
customers through distribution and sales. 

Efficient supply and procurement
We work to high-quality manufacturing  
and environmental standards.

Financial strength 
We aim to deliver consistent net sales value 
growth and margin expansion, as well as 
strong cash generation.

Impact Databank Value Ratings, May 2019.

(i) 
(ii)  Global Data, 2018.

STRATEGIC REPORT8

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Our strategy

The global spirits category has shown resilient, long-term growth. Our strategy is to support 
premiumisation in developed and emerging countries.

Everywhere we operate, we aim to do so in a responsible and sustainable 
way. Our broad portfolio means we can access different consumer 
occasions with our brands, across price points. 

In developed markets, we support premiumisation through our 
premium core and reserve brands. In emerging markets, we aim to 
grow participation in international premium spirits. To support this, 
we selectively participate in attractive mainstream spirits segments. 
This means consumers can access our brands at affordable price 
points and we can shape responsible drinking trends by introducing 
consumers to branded products.

Beer is our second largest category after scotch and our global beer 
business is led by our premium brand, Guinness. Guinness is available 
in approximately 130 countries. We use a variety of routes to the 
consumer, depending on the most efficient model for each market. 
In Africa, we have a large beer business with a broad portfolio that 
reaches across price points. 

Our focus on consumers, the balance of creative flair and data-led 
insight in our marketing and our track record for innovation, combined 
with our financial discipline and everyday efficiency, all support our goal to 
be a reliable compounder of growth. We aim to combine these to deliver a 
virtuous circle of consistent top-line performance, margin expansion and 
increased investment in our brands and business. 

Our strategy is delivered through 

Six executional priorities
Our strategy in action pages 17 – 19

KEEP PREMIUM CORE VIBRANT
Ensuring we have a vibrant premium core is critical to 
our overall performance.

INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN MAINSTREAM SPIRITS
Mainstream spirits is a sizeable and growing opportunity. 
We have invested in mainstream spirits and have a strong 
foundation from which to drive growth.

CONTINUE TO WIN IN RESERVE
We build our reserve brands by ensuring they are available 
in the most influential outlets. We also build their reputations 
with the bartenders and consumers who set trends.

BUILD ADVANTAGED ROUTES TO CONSUMER
Using insights, we understand where to invest our resources 
so that our brands are available in the right formats and 
locations for our consumers.

DRIVE INNOVATION AT SCALE
We build on our existing brands, anticipate new consumer 
occasions and create the brands of tomorrow with a focus 
on scale and speed.

EMBED PRODUCTIVITY TO DRIVE OUT COSTS AND 
INVEST IN GROWTH
We are focused on everyday efficiency, effectiveness and 
agility to reduce costs and create fuel for our growth.

Our sustainability and responsibility priorities and our 
commitment to governance and ethics
Our strategy in action pages 17 – 19

PROMOTING POSITIVE DRINKING
We are committed to promoting positive drinking through 
encouraging moderation and tackling misuse. 

REDUCING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
We aim to preserve the natural resources on which our 
long-term success depends. We are working to reduce our 
impact in the areas of water, carbon, packaging and waste.

BUILDING THRIVING COMMUNITIES
We want to continue to make Diageo a great, safe, inclusive 
and diverse place to work for our people. We want to build 
sustainable supply chains and create programmes that 
empower communities and individuals, making a positive 
difference everywhere we live, work, source and sell.

HIGHEST STANDARDS OF GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS
We are constantly looking for ways to strengthen our culture 
of integrity and help our people make the right choices, 
to do business the right way, from grain to glass. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019
DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

9

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

Outcomes of our strategy

1 Efficient growth

2 Consistent value creation

3 Credibility and trust

4 Engaged people

Y GRO W T H 

A

L

AIN TO G
ABILIT Y
AIN

R
R G

T
S
U
S

E
E
N
O
P

I

LIT
A
U
 Q
N
I
A
T
S
U
S

S

S

PRO

M

O

T
E P

IN

V

E

S

T

S

M

A

R

T

L

Y

O

S

I

T

I

V

E

I

D
R
N
K
I
N
G

N

BEST PERFORMING,
MOST TRUSTED
and RESPECTED

C

H

AMPION IN C L U S I O
AND DIVE R S I T Y

EMBED EVERYD AY   E F F I C I E

Y

C

N

We measure progress against our 
strategy using the following financial 
and non-financial indicators

Organic net sales growth

Organic operating margin improvement(i)

Earnings per share before exceptional items

Free cash flow

Return on average invested capital

Total shareholder return

Reach and impact of responsible  
drinking programmes

Health and safety

Water efficiency

Carbon emissions

Employee engagement index

(i)  From July 2019, this financial indicator will be organic operating 

profit growth.

1

1

1

1

2

2

3   4

3   4

  3

  3

3   4

 
 
 
10

Our brands

We have built a leading portfolio of brands across key 
categories and price points. 

We invest in the sustainable growth of these brands and ensure they are positioned 
to meet the consumer opportunity in each market. 

We own two of the world’s five largest spirits brands by value, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff, 
and 23 of the world’s top 100(i).

Guinness, our premium beer brand, is the 4th largest premium beer in the world by value(ii).

Global giants(iii)
Our business is built around six of our biggest global brands.

Local stars(iv)
Can be individual to any one market and provide  
a platform for our business to grow.

Reserve(v)
Exceptional spirits brands at premium price points  
to capture the global luxury opportunity.

Impact Databank Value Ratings, May 2019. 

(i) 
(ii)  Global Data, 2018.
(iii) Global giants represent 41% of Diageo net sales. 
(iv) Local stars represent 20% of Diageo net sales. 
(v)  Reserve brands represent 19% of Diageo net sales.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 201911

Our global reach

Our regional profile provides us with exposure to the greatest 
consumer growth opportunities in our sector.

We operate as a market-based business and our products are sold in over 180 countries. 
Each of our markets is accountable for its own performance and for driving growth. 
We employ 28,400 talented people across our global business.

34.9%

North America

US Spirits

Diageo Beer Company  
USA (DBC USA)
Canada
Other (principally Travel Retail)

8.8%

Latin America and Caribbean 

Mexico

Paraguay, Uruguay and 
Brazil (PUB)

% share of net sales by region(i)(ii) 

12.4%

Africa

East Africa

Central America and Caribbean (CCA)

Andean (Colombia and Venezuela)
Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile (PEBAC)
Other (principally Travel Retail)

Africa Regional Markets (ARM)

Nigeria

South Africa
Other (principally Travel Retail)

22.9%

Europe and Turkey

Europe

Turkey
Other (principally Travel Retail)

21.0%

Asia Pacific

India

Greater China

Australia

South East Asia

Travel Retail Asia and Middle East
North Asia

(i)  The above diagram is intended to illustrate general geographic regions of the world in which Diageo has a presence and/or in which its products are sold, and is not intended to 

imply that Diageo has a presence in and/or that its products are sold in every country within a geographical region.

(ii)  Based on reported net sales for the year ended 30 June 2019. Does not include corporate net sales of £53 million.

% share by region
Volume 
Net sales(i) 
Operating profit before exceptional items(ii) 
Operating profit(iii) 
Water withdrawal
Carbon emissions(iv)
Employees(v) 

North 
America
20.1
34.9
45.2
45.8
12.2
9.3
9.7

Europe and 
Turkey
18.4
22.9
23.6
23.4
39.5
40.5
36.9

Africa
13.7
12.4
6.4
6.5
38.5
38.9
15.0

Latin America 
and Caribbean
9.1
8.8
8.5
8.6
1.3
3.2
8.8

Asia 
Pacific
38.7
21.0
16.3
15.7
8.5
8.1
29.6

(i)  Excluding corporate net sales of £53 million.
(ii)  Excluding exceptional operating charges of £74 million (2018 – £128 million) and net corporate operating costs of £189 million (2018 – £158 million).
(iii) Excluding net corporate operating costs of £210 million (2018 – £158 million).
(iv) Excludes corporate offices which account for <2% of combined impacts.
(v)  Employees have been allocated to the region in which they reside.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT12

How we measure performance

Key performance indicators

Financial 
Organic net sales growth 
(%)

6.1%

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 

  2.8

  0.0

  6.1

  5.0

  4.3

Financial 
Organic operating margin  
improvement (bps)

83bps

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 

  37

  19

  24

Financial 
Earnings per share before  
exceptional items (pence)(i)

130.8p

  83

  78

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 

  130.8

  118.6

  108.5

  89.4
  88.8

Definition 
Sales growth after deducting excise duties, excluding 
the impact of exchange rate movements, acquisitions 
and disposals.

Why we measure 
This measure reflects our performance as the result  
of the choices made in terms of category and market 
participation, and Diageo’s ability to build brand 
equity, increase prices and grow market share.

Performance 
Organic net sales grew 6.1%, driven by 2.3% 
volume growth and 3.8% positive price/mix. 
Growth was broad based with all regions 
delivering net sales growth.

More detail on page 25

Definition 
The percentage point movement in operating profit 
before exceptional items, divided by net sales after 
excluding the impact of exchange rate movements 
and acquisitions and disposals.

Why we measure 
The movement in operating margin measures the 
efficiency of the business. Consistent operating 
margin improvement is a business imperative, driven 
by investment choices, our focus on driving out costs 
across the business and improving mix.

Performance 
Organic operating margin improved 83bps driven by 
improved price/mix and our productivity programme 
partially offset by higher marketing spend.

More detail on page 25

Definition 
Profit before exceptional items attributable to equity 
shareholders of the parent company, divided by the 
weighted average number of shares in issue. 

Why we measure 
Earnings per share reflects the profitability of the 
business and how effectively we finance our balance 
sheet. It is a key measure for our shareholders.

Performance 
Eps before exceptional items increased 12.2 pence 
driven by organic operating profit growth and lower 
finance charges partially offset by the impact from 
acquisitions and disposals and a higher tax expense.

More detail on page 26

Non-financial 
Positive drinking

Number of young people, parents and teachers educated 
about the dangers of underage drinking

2019

  632,000

Number of pledges collected never to drink and drive 
through #JoinThePact

2019

  16.88m

Number of people reached with moderation messages 
from our brands

2019

  66.02m

Definition 
We report against three indicators for positive drinking.

Why we measure 
We support the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 
goal of reducing harmful drinking by 10% across the 
world by 2025 and we put resources and skills into 
a range of programmes around the world that aim 
to reduce harm and change behaviour. We have 
set ourselves stretching targets to measure our 
contribution to this area, focusing on tackling 
underage drinking and drink driving, in addition 
to promoting moderation.

Performance 
We launched a new Positive Drinking strategy last 
year and this is the first year we have reported against 
these targets for 2025.

Non-financial 
Health and safety (lost-time accident 
frequency per 1,000 full-time employees)

Non-financial 
Water efficiency(ii)  
(l/l)

4.64l/lΔ

  0.98∆
  1.00

  1.14

  1.44

  1.66

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 

  4.64∆
  4.94
  4.98
  5.16

  5.84

0.98Δ

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 

Definition 
Number of accidents per 1,000 full-time employees 
and directly supervised contractors resulting in time 
lost from work of one calendar day or more.

Why we measure 
Health and safety is a basic human right: everyone 
has the right to work in a safe and healthy 
environment, and our Zero Harm philosophy 
is that everyone should go home safe and healthy, 
every day, everywhere.

Performance 
We achieved a milestone safety performance level of 
0.98 lost-time accidents (LTAs) per 1,000 employees, 
our lowest rate ever. This represents a 7% reduction 
in LTAs compared with 2018. We continued to focus 
on markets in particular need of support, delivering 
improvements by increasing compliance with our 
core standards and programmes. We also maintained 
strong performance in our more established markets. 

Definition 
Ratio of the amount of water required to produce 
one litre of packaged product.

Why we measure 
Water is the main ingredient in all of our brands. 
We aim to improve efficiency, and minimise our water 
use, particularly in water-stressed areas. This will 
ensure we can sustain production growth, address 
climate change risk and respond to the growing 
global demand for water, as scarcity increases.

Performance 
Water efficiency improved by 6% compared to 2018, 
and 43.8% versus our 2007 baseline. 

More detail on pages 52-57

More detail on pages 45-47

More detail on page 58

Return on average invested capital 

Total shareholder return  

Financial 

Free cash flow  

(£ million)

£2,608m

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

  2,608

  2,523

  2,663

  2,097

  1,963

Financial 

(ROIC) (%)

15.1%

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

Financial 

(%)

27%

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

  2

Definition 

  15.1

  14.3

  13.8

  12.1

  12.3

  27

  23

  12

  17

Definition 

Definition 

Free cash flow comprises the net cash flow from 

Profit before finance charges and exceptional items 

Percentage growth in the value of a Diageo  

operating activities aggregated with the net cash 

attributable to equity shareholders divided by 

share (assuming all dividends and capital 

received/paid for loans receivable and other 

average invested capital. Invested capital comprises 

distributions are re-invested).

investments, and the net cash cost paid for property, 

net assets aggregated with exceptional restructuring 

plant and equipment, and computer software.

costs and goodwill at the date of transition to IFRS, 

Why we measure 

Why we measure 

Free cash flow is a key indicator of the financial 

management of the business and reflects the 

excluding post employment liabilities, net 

borrowings and non-controlling interests.

Why we measure 

cash generated by the business to fund payments 

ROIC is used by management to assess the return 

to our shareholders and acquisitions.

Performance 

obtained from the group’s asset base. Improving 

ROIC builds financial strength to enable Diageo  

to attain its financial objectives.

Free cash flow continued to be strong at £2.6 billion. 

Operating profit growth was partially offset by 

Performance 

reduced operating working capital improvements 

ROIC before exceptional items increased 80bps as 

year on year, increased investment in maturing 

inventory and higher tax payments.

organic operating profit growth was partially offset 

by the impact from acquisitions and disposals and 

More detail on page 26

higher underlying tax charges.

More detail on page 26

Diageo’s Directors have a fiduciary responsibility  

to maximise long-term value for shareholders.  

We also monitor our relative TSR performance against 

our peers.

Performance 

Diageo delivered total shareholder return of 27% 

as dividends increased, a share buyback programme 

of £2.8 billion was executed and the share price 

benefited from underlying business improvements.

  75

  76

  75

  77

  75

Remuneration

Some KPIs are used as a measure in the incentives 

plans for the remuneration of executives. These are 

identified with the symbol 

.

Non-financial 

Carbon emissions(iii)  

(1,000 tonnes CO2e)

586Δ

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

  586∆

  623

  633

  672

  731

Non-financial 

Employee engagement index  

(%)

75%

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

Definition 

and pride.

Definition 

Why we measure 

Absolute volume of carbon emissions, in 1,000 tonnes.

Measured through our Your Voice survey; includes 

metrics for employee satisfaction, loyalty, advocacy 

See our Directors’ remuneration report from  

page 80 for more detail.

Carbon emissions are a key element of Diageo’s, and 

our industry’s, environmental impact. Reducing our 

Why we measure 

carbon emissions is a significant part of our efforts 

Employee engagement is a key enabler of our 

to mitigate climate change, positioning us well for 

strategy and performance. The survey allows us 

(i)  For reward purposes this measure is further adjusted 

for the impact of exchange rates and other factors 

not controlled by management, to ensure focus on 

our underlying performance drivers.

a future low-carbon economy, while creating energy 

to measure, quantitatively and qualitatively, how 

(ii)  In accordance with Diageo’s environmental reporting 

far employees believe we are living our values. 

The results inform our ways of working, engagement 

strategies and leadership development.

relevant.

methodologies, data for each of the four years in the 

period ended 30 June 2018 has been restated where 

efficiencies and savings now.

Performance 

Carbon emissions reduced by 5.9% in 2019, and 

cumulatively by 44.7% against the 2007 baseline, 

despite increased production volume. 

More detail on pages 52-57

Performance 

94% of our people participated in our Your Voice 

survey (22,615 of the 24,129 invited). 75% were 

identified as engaged, a decrease of 1% on last year. 

89% declared themselves proud to work for Diageo, 

down 1% on 2018. Despite this small shift, we have 

maintained a strong engagement score in line with 

best in class benchmarks. 

More detail on page 59

(iii) In accordance with Diageo’s environmental reporting 

methodologies and WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol, data 

for each of the four years in the period ended 30 June 

2018 has been restated where relevant.

Δ  Within PwC’s limited assurance scope. See page 173 

for further details.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Financial 

Organic net sales growth 

(%)

6.1%

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

  0.0

Definition 

  6.1

  5.0

  4.3

  2.8

Financial 

Organic operating margin  

improvement (bps)

83bps

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

  37

  19

  24

Financial 

Earnings per share before  

exceptional items (pence)(i)

130.8p

  83

  78

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

  130.8

  118.6

  108.5

  89.4

  88.8

Definition 

Definition 

Sales growth after deducting excise duties, excluding 

The percentage point movement in operating profit 

Profit before exceptional items attributable to equity 

the impact of exchange rate movements, acquisitions 

before exceptional items, divided by net sales after 

shareholders of the parent company, divided by the 

and disposals.

Why we measure 

This measure reflects our performance as the result  

Why we measure 

of the choices made in terms of category and market 

The movement in operating margin measures the 

business and how effectively we finance our balance 

participation, and Diageo’s ability to build brand 

efficiency of the business. Consistent operating 

sheet. It is a key measure for our shareholders.

excluding the impact of exchange rate movements 

weighted average number of shares in issue. 

and acquisitions and disposals.

Why we measure 

Earnings per share reflects the profitability of the 

equity, increase prices and grow market share.

Performance 

Organic net sales grew 6.1%, driven by 2.3% 

volume growth and 3.8% positive price/mix. 

Growth was broad based with all regions 

delivering net sales growth.

More detail on page 25

margin improvement is a business imperative, driven 

by investment choices, our focus on driving out costs 

across the business and improving mix.

Performance 

Performance 

Eps before exceptional items increased 12.2 pence 

driven by organic operating profit growth and lower 

finance charges partially offset by the impact from 

Organic operating margin improved 83bps driven by 

acquisitions and disposals and a higher tax expense.

improved price/mix and our productivity programme 

partially offset by higher marketing spend.

More detail on page 26

More detail on page 25

Non-financial 

Positive drinking

Number of young people, parents and teachers educated 

about the dangers of underage drinking

2019

2019

2019

Number of pledges collected never to drink and drive 

through #JoinThePact

Number of people reached with moderation messages 

from our brands

  632,000

  16.88m

  66.02m

We report against three indicators for positive drinking.

Definition 

Why we measure 

We support the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 

goal of reducing harmful drinking by 10% across the 

world by 2025 and we put resources and skills into 

a range of programmes around the world that aim 

to reduce harm and change behaviour. We have 

set ourselves stretching targets to measure our 

contribution to this area, focusing on tackling 

underage drinking and drink driving, in addition 

We launched a new Positive Drinking strategy last 

year and this is the first year we have reported against 

to promoting moderation.

Performance 

these targets for 2025.

More detail on pages 45-47

Non-financial 

Health and safety (lost-time accident 

frequency per 1,000 full-time employees)

(l/l)

Non-financial 

Water efficiency(ii)  

4.64l/lΔ

  0.98∆

  1.00

  1.14

  1.44

  1.66

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

  4.64∆

  4.94

  4.98

  5.16

  5.84

0.98Δ

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015 

Definition 

Definition 

Number of accidents per 1,000 full-time employees 

Ratio of the amount of water required to produce 

and directly supervised contractors resulting in time 

one litre of packaged product.

lost from work of one calendar day or more.

Why we measure 

Why we measure 

Water is the main ingredient in all of our brands. 

Health and safety is a basic human right: everyone 

We aim to improve efficiency, and minimise our water 

has the right to work in a safe and healthy 

environment, and our Zero Harm philosophy 

use, particularly in water-stressed areas. This will 

ensure we can sustain production growth, address 

is that everyone should go home safe and healthy, 

climate change risk and respond to the growing 

every day, everywhere.

Performance 

global demand for water, as scarcity increases.

Performance 

We achieved a milestone safety performance level of 

Water efficiency improved by 6% compared to 2018, 

0.98 lost-time accidents (LTAs) per 1,000 employees, 

and 43.8% versus our 2007 baseline. 

our lowest rate ever. This represents a 7% reduction 

in LTAs compared with 2018. We continued to focus 

on markets in particular need of support, delivering 

improvements by increasing compliance with our 

core standards and programmes. We also maintained 

strong performance in our more established markets. 

More detail on page 58

We use the following 11 key performance indicators (KPIs)  
to measure our financial and non-financial performance. 

13

Relevance to strategy
Efficient growth
Consistent value creation
Credibility and trust
Engaged people

Financial 
Free cash flow  
(£ million)

£2,608m

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 

Financial 
Return on average invested capital 
(ROIC) (%)

Financial 
Total shareholder return  
(%)

  2,608
  2,523

  2,663

  2,097

  1,963

15.1%

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 

27%

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 

  2

  15.1

  14.3
  13.8

  12.1
  12.3

  27

  23

  12

  17

Definition 
Free cash flow comprises the net cash flow from 
operating activities aggregated with the net cash 
received/paid for loans receivable and other 
investments, and the net cash cost paid for property, 
plant and equipment, and computer software.

Why we measure 
Free cash flow is a key indicator of the financial 
management of the business and reflects the 
cash generated by the business to fund payments 
to our shareholders and acquisitions.

Performance 
Free cash flow continued to be strong at £2.6 billion. 
Operating profit growth was partially offset by 
reduced operating working capital improvements 
year on year, increased investment in maturing 
inventory and higher tax payments.

More detail on page 26

Definition 
Profit before finance charges and exceptional items 
attributable to equity shareholders divided by 
average invested capital. Invested capital comprises 
net assets aggregated with exceptional restructuring 
costs and goodwill at the date of transition to IFRS, 
excluding post employment liabilities, net 
borrowings and non-controlling interests.

Why we measure 
ROIC is used by management to assess the return 
obtained from the group’s asset base. Improving 
ROIC builds financial strength to enable Diageo  
to attain its financial objectives.

Performance 
ROIC before exceptional items increased 80bps as 
organic operating profit growth was partially offset 
by the impact from acquisitions and disposals and 
higher underlying tax charges.

More detail on page 26

Definition 
Percentage growth in the value of a Diageo  
share (assuming all dividends and capital 
distributions are re-invested).

Why we measure 
Diageo’s Directors have a fiduciary responsibility  
to maximise long-term value for shareholders.  
We also monitor our relative TSR performance against 
our peers.

Performance 
Diageo delivered total shareholder return of 27% 
as dividends increased, a share buyback programme 
of £2.8 billion was executed and the share price 
benefited from underlying business improvements.

Non-financial 
Carbon emissions(iii)  
(1,000 tonnes CO2e)

586Δ

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 

  586∆
  623
  633

  672

  731

Definition 
Absolute volume of carbon emissions, in 1,000 tonnes.

Why we measure 
Carbon emissions are a key element of Diageo’s, and 
our industry’s, environmental impact. Reducing our 
carbon emissions is a significant part of our efforts 
to mitigate climate change, positioning us well for 
a future low-carbon economy, while creating energy 
efficiencies and savings now.

Performance 
Carbon emissions reduced by 5.9% in 2019, and 
cumulatively by 44.7% against the 2007 baseline, 
despite increased production volume. 

More detail on pages 52-57

More detail on pages 52-57

Non-financial 
Employee engagement index  
(%)

75%

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 

  75
  76
  75
  77
  75

Remuneration
Some KPIs are used as a measure in the incentives 
plans for the remuneration of executives. These are 
identified with the symbol 

.

Definition 
Measured through our Your Voice survey; includes 
metrics for employee satisfaction, loyalty, advocacy 
and pride.

Why we measure 
Employee engagement is a key enabler of our 
strategy and performance. The survey allows us 
to measure, quantitatively and qualitatively, how 
far employees believe we are living our values. 
The results inform our ways of working, engagement 
strategies and leadership development.

Performance 
94% of our people participated in our Your Voice 
survey (22,615 of the 24,129 invited). 75% were 
identified as engaged, a decrease of 1% on last year. 
89% declared themselves proud to work for Diageo, 
down 1% on 2018. Despite this small shift, we have 
maintained a strong engagement score in line with 
best in class benchmarks. 

More detail on page 59

See our Directors’ remuneration report from  
page 80 for more detail.

(i)  For reward purposes this measure is further adjusted 
for the impact of exchange rates and other factors 
not controlled by management, to ensure focus on 
our underlying performance drivers.

(ii)  In accordance with Diageo’s environmental reporting 
methodologies, data for each of the four years in the 
period ended 30 June 2018 has been restated where 
relevant.

(iii) In accordance with Diageo’s environmental reporting 
methodologies and WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol, data 
for each of the four years in the period ended 30 June 
2018 has been restated where relevant.

Δ  Within PwC’s limited assurance scope. See page 173 

for further details.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT14

Market dynamics

Total beverage alcohol is an attractive industry, with a natural runway 
for growth when compared with other consumer goods categories. 

Like all consumer sectors, the total beverage alcohol industry faces possible disruption, 
ranging from changes in consumer trends and regulation through to economic volatility and 
tariff changes. Our broad and diverse global portfolio provides a natural hedge to any 
volatility we may encounter. Our extensive consumer knowledge, gained through our local 
presence and use of data-driven insights, gives us a strong position from which to grow.

The global alcohol market today: broad based, growing, profitable(i)
550 million

750 million

new legal purchase age consumers are 
expected to enter the market by 2030. 

consumers are expected to be able 
to afford international-style spirits over 
the next decade.

53%

of the global alcohol market, by volume, 
is spirits.

6 billion

equivalent units of alcohol  
sold each year.

£747 billion

retail sales value.

(i)  Diageo estimates, Euromonitor, IWSR, internal analysis.

Key trends

We believe that drinking in a responsible way is part of a balanced lifestyle in many 
societies around the world. Drinking occasions and practices vary hugely depending 
on local culture, traditions and customs. They are constantly evolving, but long-term 
trends are positive for the industry – with sustained premiumisation, a growing 
preference for spirits and population growth all playing a part. 

Consumers choosing to ‘drink better’
Consumers are ‘drinking better, not more.’ 
People are looking for products that stand 
out for their superior quality, authenticity 
and taste. 

In developed markets, in response to 
sustained premiumisation of spirits, our 
premium-and-above brands are growing 
fastest. Our Reserve portfolio of brands 
capitalises on this premiumisation trend and 
recent launches, such as our new Villa Ascenti 
gin, strengthen our position.

In emerging markets, rising prosperity 
is enabling consumers to trade up to our 
international spirits brands. Meanwhile, 
our mainstream spirits brands, like Royal 
Challenge whisky in India, offer safe, 
affordable products to consumers in markets 
where informal alcohol – which is estimated 
to account for around 25% of global alcohol 
sales despite the associated health risks and 
loss of tax revenue – is widespread.

Growing preference for spirits
Consumers who drink alcohol are moving into 
spirits and away from beer and wine; as well 
as from illicit alcohol across Africa. This is a 
long-term trend – spirits are now 53% of 
total beverage alcohol by volume, up from 
48% ten years ago. Gin is an example of a 
category benefiting from switching, starting 
in Europe and now accelerating in markets like 
Australia, South Africa and Brazil. In Brazil, 
consumer spend on the gin category has 
grown over 100% a year in the last five years 
and we have driven growth through the 
Tanqueray brand. Growth via the on-trade has 
been the key driver, ensuring a perfect serve 
with ice and tonic in premium occasions 
through our Copa Glass programme, 
supported by investments in marketing and 
ensuring availability in the right places. This has 
brought new consumers into the brand and 
into spirits – 20% of consumers are new to 
spirits; 50% coming from beer. 

Drinking occasions and the route 
to consumer are changing
In developed markets, consumers are shifting 
away from late-night occasions towards 
food-related and more informal occasions.
Our market insight enables us to innovate 
existing brands, anticipate new consumer 
occasions and create the brands of tomorrow. 
In response to the growing early-evening 
occasion, we recently launched Smirnoff 
Infusions in the United Kingdom and United 
States. It is a new zero-sugar spirits-based 
drink infusing Smirnoff vodka with real fruit 
essences, designed to be served in a wine 
glass with soda and ice. Perfect for long 
summer evenings, it has an ABV of 23%, 
with the recommended serve containing 
87 calories.

Our focus on route to consumer means 
we are well placed to seize new innovation 
opportunities. Our partnership with HBO, 
for which we have created ‘White Walker 
by Johnnie Walker’, has recruited new 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019consumers to our iconic Johnnie Walker 
Scotch brand and to the category, with social 
media and e-commerce playing a part 
(see more on page 17). Technology and 
e-commerce are also changing the route to 
market. They are shifting the retail landscape, 
our interactions with on-trade and off-trade 
customers and the way we interact with 
consumers. Through our use of data we are 
constantly evolving our approach to each 
market and delivering multi-channel 
customer strategies (see more on page 18).

The global economy
Political instability and changes in economic 
variables continue to have an impact across the 
global economy. We cannot change the 
environment in which we operate, but our 
global scale helps provide a natural hedge to 
changing variables. Our market-based model 
gives us the flexibility to identify and respond 
quickly to local dynamics. Our broad portfolio of 
brands means consumers can trade up or down 
depending on the economic environment. 

Macro-economic trends are key 

considerations for our risk planning, outlined 
on pages 20-23. Understanding the long-term 
dynamics of our markets means we can 
anticipate, innovate and respond to key 
trends and unlock growth by drawing on the 
strength of our diverse portfolio and acting 
with agility.

Safeguarding our future 
by earning trust and respect
The expectations for businesses to be 
transparent, open and clear about their 
purpose have arguably never been greater. 
That is why earning trust and respect continue 
to be at the heart of our performance 
ambition. Stakeholders are increasingly 
challenging all businesses to show how they 
make a positive impact and the United 
Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 
provide a framework for businesses to 
demonstrate their contribution to society. 

Earning trust and respect is particularly 
important for our industry. While the majority 
of people who choose to enjoy alcohol do 
so moderately and responsibly, we know 
the misuse of alcohol can harm individuals 
and those around them. This can also have 
adverse impacts on our industry’s reputation 
and our long-term operating environment. 
As a global leader in premium alcohol, we 
are committed to promoting positive 
drinking, so that our brands and our business 
have a sustainable future. 

As the stewards of brands which have 
been part of communities around the world 
for centuries, we understand the importance 

of long-term thinking and of earning the trust 
and respect of those around us. Our future 
success depends on us continuing to 
promote positive drinking, fostering 
inclusive economic growth and reducing 
our environmental impacts, while making 
sure we do business with integrity and 
respect for human rights.

Promoting positive drinking
We want to offer consumers the opportunity 
to ‘drink better, not more’ – an approach that 
both supports our social values and aligns 
with our commercial interests as a business 
making premium drinks. That means we are 
committed to promoting moderation, while 
campaigning to reduce harmful drinking and 
improving laws and industry standards. Our 
Positive Drinking strategy, described on 
pages 45-46, includes ambitious targets for 
areas in which we can have the greatest impact 
in reducing harm: drink driving, underage 
drinking and excessive drinking. Through 
our work, we support the World Health 
Organization’s (WHO) goal of reducing 
harmful drinking by 10%.

Acting responsibly in 
a regulated marketplace
The beverage alcohol industry is highly 
regulated and that regulation varies 
widely between countries and jurisdictions. 
We comply with all laws and regulations, 
wherever we operate, as a minimum 
requirement. But we also advocate laws 
and industry standards, including minimum 
legal purchase age laws and maximum 
blood-alcohol concentration driving limits, 
in countries where these are not already in 
place. Such measures, as well as protecting 
individuals and communities, help ensure a 
sustainable market in which our products can 
be enjoyed responsibly. At the same time, we 
advocate against measures that are not based 
on evidence or which could have unintended 
consequences, such as pushing consumers 
toward illicit alcohol, which can be a risk to 
public health. 

Promoting inclusivity and human rights 
‘We value each other.’ This statement is one 
of our five core values and it has never been 
more relevant. Consumers, employees and 
many other stakeholders expect businesses 
to respect human rights and create an 
inclusive culture. Within our business, this is 
reflected in a strong policy framework and 
a strategic commitment to inclusion and 
diversity, including gender balance and health 
and safety (see more on pages 58-59). And it 
extends across our value chain: to our 
suppliers, distributors and consumers, 

15

through our human rights framework and 
our community programmes designed to 
empower women, help people develop 
their skills, and increase access to water, 
sanitation and hygiene (see more on pages 
48-51). This commitment strengthens our 
supply chain, builds our employer brand and 
gives us the resilience we need to continue 
to perform in the future. 

Climate change, water stress and a 
responsible environmental strategy 
Any business that relies on agricultural raw 
materials and water has both a responsibility 
to the environment around it and an 
exposure to environmental risks. Our 
environmental strategy, described in more 
detail on pages 52-57, is critical to our 
long-term success. Our programmes reduce 
carbon emissions and water use throughout 
our value chain. They also address waste 
and packaging, including plastic, and the 
use of more sustainable packaging 
materials. The linked phenomena of climate 
change and water stress are particularly 
material to our business and to the 
communities around us. With the oversight 
of our Climate Change Working Group, we 
are integrating the management of 
climate-related issues into our business. 

Our Water Blueprint defines our approach 
to water stewardship and prioritises our actions 
in areas we have defined as water-stressed, as 
illustrated on page 53. Along with improving 
water efficiency, we are replenishing the water 
used in water-stressed areas, supporting 
catchment area management to benefit all 
water users, and helping farmers improve 
water management in agriculture.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT16

Our stakeholders

We aim to maintain open and positive dialogue with all our 
stakeholders. This helps us make choices as a business and shape 
the role that we can and should play in society. 

Our mission, values and purpose help guide these relationships across the globe, 
supported by our local market-based model.

Suppliers
We rely on resilient, thriving 
supply chains for the raw 
materials we use to make our 
brands. Together with our 
suppliers, we work hard to 
improve our collective impact, 
from our environmental 
footprint to supporting 
smallholder farmers.

Read more on page 49

Employees 
We aim to create a trusting, 
respectful and inclusive culture.  
We want our people to be proud 
of their work, empowered to 
succeed, and to know that their 
safety and human rights 
are respected.

Read more on page 58

Communities
Investing in sustainable 
growth means supporting and 
empowering the communities 
where we live, work, source and 
sell. By ensuring we make a 
positive contribution, we can 
help build thriving communities 
and strengthen our business. 

Read more on page 48

Government  
and Regulators
We focus on evidence-based 
engagement to build trust and 
reputation with governments 
and regulators and to ensure we 
have an effective network of 
stakeholders on public policy 
matters. We promote moderation 
and advocate industry standards.

Customers
Our customers are business 
partners and experts in the 
products they buy and sell, as 
well as the experiences they 
deliver. We work with both the 
on-trade and off-trade to ensure 
a mutually beneficial relationship 
that delivers the best outcome 
for our consumers.

Shareholders
Through regular financial reporting 
and events such as our Annual 
General Meeting and Capital Markets 
Day, we ensure an ongoing conversation 
with shareholders. Our Board’s role is to 
ensure we create sustainable long-term 
value for shareholders in a manner which 
contributes positively to wider society.

Read more on page 69

Consumers
Our brands are made with pride 
and made to be enjoyed 
responsibly – we want people 
to drink better, not more. In our 
interactions with consumers, we 
use our marketing expertise to 
promote positive drinking. 

Read more on page 45

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Our strategy in action

These case studies demonstrate how we are putting our strategy into 
action at a market and global level. They also show how our approach 
to sustainability and responsibility supports everything we do.

17

KEEP PREMIUM CORE VIBRANT

DRIVE INNOVATION AT SCALE

Championship and Official Sponsor of the 
Women’s Six Nations Championship.

The partnership is a perfect opportunity 
to connect with consumers, grow our brand, 
reinforce our responsible drinking message 
and demonstrate our commitment to gender 
equality. Our award-winning Guinness Clear 
responsible drinking adverts, described on 
page 47, were a key element in a campaign 
that was deeply rooted in the values shared 
by Six Nations rugby and Guinness. Overall, 
we reached over 172 million consumers 
globally(i), tracked more than 55,000 uses of 
the #GuinnessSixNations hashtag(ii) and 
broke through our own targets on reach in 
traditional media. Our tracking showed that 
Guinness is, for the first time ever, the brand 
most associated with rugby in Great Britain 
and Ireland(iii).

(i)  Nielsen 2019.
(ii)  31.1 – 31.3.19 Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 
(iii) Kantar 2019.

consumers about Johnnie Walker Blue Label’s 
liquid credentials of rarity, distinct flavour and 
depth of character, through limited edition 
releases and exclusive experiences. 

This year, launches included Johnnie Walker 
Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen. The Port 
Ellen distillery closed in 1983 and its liquid is 
one of the most sought-after whiskies in 
the world. 

We are also using our data to ensure we 
reach the right consumers. Key influencers in 
each market are targeted with exciting 
experiences like the intimate Johnnie Walker 
Blue Label ‘Bothy’, recently held in Hong Kong 
and named after Scotland’s unique hideaways. 
Handfuls of invitees were able to sample some 
of the rarest Johnnie Walker Blue Label 
whiskies paired with a Michelin starred tasting 
menu in a unique setting. The two-week 
project reached almost 13 million people(iv), 
with more planned for other markets in fiscal 
2020. 

(iv) Internal analysis of print, broadcast, social media reach. 

‘White Walker by Johnnie Walker’ recruited new 
consumers to the brand

Breakthrough products 
that recruit new consumers 
We look to innovate in three ways: recruit, 
re-recruit or disrupt. Our focus is increasingly 
on ‘recruit’ innovations that are grounded in 
strong consumer insights and bring new 
consumers into our brands. 

Our willingness to take our established 
brands to new places is helping whisky win 
new consumers. The launch of the limited 
edition ‘White Walker by Johnnie Walker’, a 
collaboration with HBO’s hit TV series Game 
of Thrones, shows that with the right balance 
of consumer research, insight and creativity a 
200-year-old brand can reach a new audience. 
In the run up to the final series of Game of 
Thrones, Johnnie Walker became the most 
talked-about whisky on social media(v).

We also launched our Ketel One Botanical 
innovation in the United Kingdom this year. 
It is a 30% ABV spirit drink infused with real 
fruit, bringing Ketel One to new consumers 
in a new occasion for the brand, the 
early-evening occasion. In the United States, 
it was the industry’s top-selling spirits 
innovation in the 2018 calendar year(vi).

(v)  Sprinklr, 10.4 – 16.4.19
(vi) Nielsen.

>50% 

of our innovations this year focused 
on recruiting new consumers, versus 
around 30% four years ago.

Our Guinness Clear responsible drinking advert won a Gold 
at the Cannes Lions for Brand Experience and Activation

Guinness Six Nations: the 
power of connections 
Europe’s premier international rugby 
tournament celebrates the humanity and 
friendship that underpin one of sport’s fiercest 
rivalries. It’s an ideal partner for Guinness, a 
brand with decades of ties to rugby. In 2019, 
we were proud to become the title sponsors 
of the Guinness Six Nations Rugby 

WIN IN RESERVE

Johnnie Walker Blue Label’s Ghost and Rare limited 
edition whisky

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: 
authenticity and new 
experiences
As the premiumisation trend continues, 
consumers are increasingly looking for 
products of superior quality, authenticity 
and taste. We are connecting consumers 
with the amazing craftsmanship and history 
of our Reserve brands through our creative 
marketing. We are focused on educating 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT18

INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN 
MAINSTREAM SPIRITS

BUILD AN ADVANTAGED ROUTE TO CONSUMER

This means we can work with customers so 
that each outlet has specific standards and 
recommendations that help boost 
incremental sales.

For example, our TRAX technology uses 
image recognition to analyse a picture of the 
inside of a store, then automatically identifies 
products, shelf placement, display, price and 
more. We can then generate scorecards based 
on these key performance indicators and 
provide targeted recommendations via our 
advanced analytics team on how to improve 
in each area. This information helps us and 
our customers. 

In the United States, we have collected 
more than four million data points over the 
last two years. And the programme is 
producing results. Since we embedded 
EDGE in early 2019, we’ve seen average 
volume in outlets that have adopted our 
recommendations grow three times faster 
than non-participating outlets. We are now 
expanding our use of EDGE to new markets.

In the United States, we have collected more than four 
million data points over the last two years

EDGE: data and analytics 
accelerating sales in outlets 
in the United States
We are using new technologies and advanced 
analytics to unlock growth by transforming 
our understanding of customers, consumers 
and shoppers. Our suite of ‘Every Day Great 
Execution’ (EDGE) technology tools capture 
in-store data and, through predictive analytics, 
revolutionise our ability to offer the right 
brands, in the right outlets, in the right way. 

EMBED PRODUCTIVITY TO DRIVE OUT COSTS AND INVEST IN GROWTH

Intelligent automation: 
delivering everyday efficiency 
at scale
We have embedded a mindset of ‘everyday 
efficiency’ across Diageo, a shift in culture that, 
over the last three years, has helped us save 
£700 million. And we’re looking forward, for 
new ways of working that continue to make 
us a more efficient organisation.

Intelligent automation, now used in more 
than 100 applications across the business, is a 
key example. Through predictive analytics, 
machine learning and robotics process 
automation, we are growing more productive 
and more competitive. 

Our Sales Order Capture Automation, for 
example, uses artificial intelligence technology 
and machine learning algorithms to extract 
and process data from more than a million 
customer sales orders per year. Our end-to-
end Source to Pay process automatically 
validates invoices against purchase orders, 
interacts with banks and executes payments. 
And we are working on scaling our intelligent 
automation across a range of functions, from 
simplifying HR processes and financial 
reporting, to forecasting how we use our 

We are looking for new ways of working that continue to 
make us more efficient

commodities and assess market pricing in 
order to plan the optimum time to purchase.
As intelligent automation increases 
accuracy, we improve compliance and data 
quality and create savings. We also improve 
our decision making and free up our people 
to use their talents to create greater value. 

>100 

Intelligent automation is now used 
in more than 100 applications across 
the business.

Over half a million people have signed the 
#ChallengeAccepted petition, including some of India’s 
top cricketers 

Royal Challenge whisky:  
pushing the boundaries for 
women in India
In India, our local star brands each have their 
own unique cultural identity that connects with 
Indian consumers’ passions. Our Royal Challenge 
whisky connects through cricket, India’s 
most-watched sport. It owns the Royal 
Challengers Bangalore cricket team, who play 
in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and boasts 
India’s men’s cricket captain in its ranks.
Royal Challenge has a strong brand 

identity that is not afraid to take on 
stereotypes. Through purpose-led marketing, 
it created the #ChallengeAccepted campaign, 
which sets out to achieve a more progressive 
and inclusive space for women everywhere. 
Royal Challenge is asking India’s millions 
of cricket fans a crucial question: given the 
enormous talent of India’s women cricketers, 
why shouldn’t they play in the same top sides 
as men? The campaign sees India’s leading 
women cricketers and India’s men’s team 
captain demand that the boundaries be 
pushed. And it is calling on consumers to get 
real and support the first ever mixed-gender 
T20 cricket match by voting on its website – 
aiming to reach one million votes. 

And people are responding. There was 

a 300% increase in engagement in the 
brand’s social media channels in the first 
four weeks of the campaign and over half 
a million have so far voted(vii) in favour of 
holding the match in September 2019.

(vii) As of 25 July 2019. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Our strategy in action

19

Our Sustainability & Responsibility Strategy in action

PROMOTING POSITIVE 
DRINKING: GLOBAL

BUILDING THRIVING COMMUNITIES: INDIA 

Clean water and fresh 
opportunities for women 
entrepreneurs
Access to clean drinking water can transform 
communities. In fact universal, affordable 
access to what is known as WASH – water, 
sanitation and hygiene – is a critical public 
health issue and the focus of UN Sustainable 
Development Goal 6.

As a business that relies on water, we have 

a clear responsibility to contribute – and our 
Water of Life programme has reached more 
than 10 million people in India and Africa 
since 2006. But we also see providing access 
to clean water as an opportunity to broaden 
our positive social impact in other ways too.
Across India, for example, we have been 
supporting an innovative programme to install 
‘water ATMs’. Inspired by cash-vending 
machines, water ATMs enable people to buy 
clean, low-cost drinking water, typically 
provided by a solar-powered borehole and 
treatment plant. Our 25 ATMs in Nagpur alone 
have given 45,000 people access to water 
this year. 

Official opening ceremony of one of the 25 water ATMs 
installed across Nagpur, run by women in the community

And the ATMs create further benefits. 
In Nagpur and Bhopal, we have trained 287 
women entrepreneurs so they can maintain 
and run the facilities – increasing their 
incomes, while ensuring the ATMs are at the 
heart of their communities. For more details 
of our focus on skills training, gender equality 
and WASH, see pages 50-51.

REDUCING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: AFRICA

biomass power and water efficiency initiatives 
to breweries in seven African countries. 
New biomass boilers at three breweries 
in Kenya and Uganda will produce renewable 
energy, replacing heavy fuel oil. At the same 
time, we are installing solar power at 12 
breweries. Each will produce up to 20% of 
the brewery’s electricity demand.

To improve our water efficiency, we are 
installing new water recovery and reuse 
facilities across five sites in Africa, which will 
save more than a billion litres of water a year. 
The investments in Africa are part of our 

wider approach. We are committed to 
sourcing 100% of our electricity from 
renewable sources by 2030. Since 2007, 
globally we have reduced our greenhouse 
gas emissions from our operations by 44.7%, 
and we have improved our water efficiency 
by 43.8%. 

Water treatment technology at one of our facilities 
in Kenya

Investing £180 million in a 
climate-resilient future for Africa
Reducing our carbon footprint and improving 
our water efficiency are core elements of our 
global environmental programme – and of 
our long-term commitment to addressing 
climate change.

In May 2019, we announced a £180 million 

commitment to sustainable energy and 
water infrastructure in one of our key regions 
– Africa.

Through investment in equipment and 
ongoing maintenance and supply, we are 
bringing new solar energy, renewable 

Chase Carey, CEO and Chairman of the Formula One 
Group, pledges to never drink and drive

#JoinThePact races to 
16.88 million pledges
We believe that a single accident caused 
by drinking and driving is one too many. 
Reducing drink driving is a core part of our 
commitment to reducing alcohol-related 
harm and to promoting positive drinking. 
Our flagship programme, #JoinThePact, is 
recruiting millions of people to the cause.
When people sign up to #JoinThePact, 
they pledge never to drink and drive. And 
with support from a wide range of our brands, 
the campaign has collected more than 
16.88 million signatures since 2008.

Johnnie Walker’s sponsorship of Formula 1 
partnerships has played a major part in raising 
awareness and helping us pass our initial 
target of five million pledges back in 2017. 
Based on that success, we expanded our 
ambition to 50 million pledges by 2025, 
running the campaign in more than 
40 countries across five continents.

The connection with Formula 1 is still 

driving results. At the Formula 1 2018 
Johnnie Walker Belgian Grand Prix in 
Spa-Francorchamps alone, we collected 
1,169,338 commitments. 

Our #JoinThePact campaign runs 
alongside multi-agency drink driving 
programmes that address education and 
enforcement. Our collaborations with 
governments and enforcement agencies, as 
well as our programmes to tackle underage 
drinking and binge drinking, are described 
on pages 45-47.

1.17m

Pledges never to drink and drive 
collected at the Formula 1 2018 
Johnnie Walker Belgian Grand Prix.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT20

How we protect our business

Our principal risks and risk management

Well-managed risk-taking lies at the heart of our performance ambition. Great risk 
management drives better commercial decisions, protects our assets and supports 
a growing, resilient and sustainable business.

Monitor and report 
Quality reporting 
enables great 
discussion, which is 
at the heart of our 
risk management 
approach

Mitigate 
Taking actions to  
manage our key risks

Monitor 
and report

Continuous review 
Continually utilise our 
information to drive 
insightful discussion and 
effective decision making

Continuous 
review

Mitigate

RISK
MANAGEMENT

Assess

Identify

Identify 
Identifying the risks our 
business faces is the first 
step in effective risk 
management

Assess 
Assessing the likelihood and impact of risks 
to drive effective, prioritised mitigations

VIABILITY STATEMENT

In accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Directors have 
assessed the viability of the group over the 
three years to 30 June 2022, considering 
our current position and prospects, our 
strategy, the Board’s risk appetite and our 
principal risks as set out on pages 22 to 23 
in the Strategic report. 

Although the prospects of the company 
are considered over a longer period the 
Directors believe that a three-year 
assessment is most appropriate as it aligns 
with our normal three-year strategic 
business planning processes.

The three-year business plan is based 
on our current strategy. This plan has 
been stress tested by modelling severe 
but plausible downside scenarios, and 
combinations of scenarios, linked to 
our principal risks. Key scenarios 
considered include:

•  severe marketing and/or route to market 
restrictions or fiscal changes introduced 
by local governments;

•  material negative changes in the 

macro-economic environment that 
could impact both developed and 
emerging markets;

•  unfavourable exchange movements in 
foreign currencies, mainly the euro and 
US dollar against sterling;

•  a failure to adapt to or participate fully in 
critical industry developments; and 

•  increased potential tax rate due to changes 
in the international tax environment.

The principal risks considered in the 
most likely combination of downside 
scenarios are identified with the symbol 
’V’ on pages 22 to 23.

None of these scenarios individually 
threaten the viability of Diageo, therefore 
the combined impact of these scenarios 
has been evaluated as the most severe 
stress scenario.

Stress testing considers the effectiveness  
of mitigation actions and internal control 
systems, makes certain assumptions about 
temporary reductions in discretionary 
spending including capital expenditure 
and dividend payments and considers 
whether additional financing facilities 
would be required. 

Based on the results of this analysis the 
Directors confirm they have a reasonable 
expectation that the group will be able 
to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the period 
to 30 June 2022. 

Our approach
Our approach to risk management is simple. 
We believe that great risk management starts 
with the right conversations to drive better 
business decisions. Our approach to risk 
management covers all types of risks – 
strategic, financial, operational, reputational, 
environmental and compliance risks. Our 
approach is holistic and integrated, and 
our global risk and compliance programme 
brings together our approaches to risk 
management, internal controls, and 
compliance and ethics, ensuring that our 
activities across this agenda focus on the 
risks that could have the greatest impact.
Accountability for managing risk is 
embedded into our management structures. 
Each market and function undertakes an 
annual risk assessment, establishes mitigation 
plans and monitors risk on a continual basis. 
Similarly, our Executive annually assesses risk 
and the Board independently reviews the 
assessment. Our Executive Audit & Risk 
Committee receive regular reports on the 
risks faced across the business and the 
effectiveness of the actions taken to mitigate 
these risks. We use data to monitor our risks 
to make proactive interventions. We also 
establish cross-functional working groups and 
leverage experts where necessary to ensure 
significant risks are effectively managed, and 
where appropriate escalate these to the 
Executive and Board for consideration. We 
also conduct horizon-scanning activities to 
identify potential disruptive forces that could 
alter the risk profile for our business and adapt 
our mitigation plans accordingly.

Further details about our risk management 

approach are described in the Corporate 
governance report on page 69 and in the 
Audit Committee report on page 77.

Focus in the year
The Executive and Board considered the 
group’s principal risks and reviewed our risk 
appetite, setting the level of risk we wish to 
take to achieve our strategic objectives. 

Our principal risks are unchanged since 
last year and continue to reflect a challenging 
external environment. Actions to manage and 
mitigate those risks and developments in the 
year are set out in the table on pages 22 to 23. 
As well as looking at our overall risk profile, the 
Executive and Board specifically considered 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 201921

oversight is provided by our global 
compliance team which undertakes 
regular reviews on the effectiveness of 
the programme.

We encourage our employees, and anyone 
we do business with, to raise concerns about 
potential breaches of our Code or policies. Our 
confidential whistleblowing helpline, SpeakUp, 
is available via phone or web portal, enabling 
anyone to report a concern. Additionally we 
encourage employees to come forward to their 
line manager, legal, HR or risk and compliance 
partners. Reports can be made in any of our 
20 Code languages.

This year 805 allegations of breaches were 

reported, of which 238 were subsequently 
substantiated. There were more allegations 
than last year, which is in line with external 
benchmarks and due to increased awareness 
of workplace behaviour. The number of 
substantiated breaches has declined versus 
last year. Three of the substantiated breaches 
related to human rights.

All allegations are taken seriously, 

investigated and where required 
consequence management is performed. 
We monitor all breaches to identify trends 
or common areas where further action may 
be required. This year 79 people exited the 
business as a result of breaches of our Code 
or policies versus 111 people in the year 
ended 30 June 2018. Fewer breach leavers is 
due to a reduction in severity and type of 
breaches this year. 

Reported and substantiated breaches

2
1
7

6
3
6

2
3
4 3
8
2

9
9
2

3
7
2

6
0
1

1
1
1

5
0
8

1
2
4

8
3
2

9
7

2017 

2018(i)

2019

 Reported
 Reported through SpeakUp
Substantiated breaches
Code-related leavers

(i)   2018 data restated in accordance with Diageo’s 

   reporting methodologies for reported and 
   substantiated breaches of the Code of 
   Business Conduct. 

cyber security, data management and 
migration risks, data privacy risk, 
environmental and climate risk, Brexit 
and trade war risks and discrimination 
and harassment. 

Potential emerging risks are also a key 
focus. We undertake horizon scanning in 
conjunction with our corporate strategy 
team to monitor any potential disruptions 
that could dramatically change our industry 
and/or our business from both a risk and 
opportunity perspective. We perform 
scenario planning and leverage external 
thinking and research to consider the 
changes around us.

Emerging risks can be new risks, where we 
have not been able to fully assess the impact 
or known risks that continue to evolve as new 
information becomes available. We involve 
experts where necessary to understand how 
our risk profile could change over a longer 
time period. Our risk management approach 
considers short term to be one year, 
medium term to be three to five years and 
long term to be more than five years.

Climate risk
Climate risk continues to evolve, and we 
will regularly assess and aim to mitigate 
the impact where possible. We recognise 
the importance of considering climate-
related risks and opportunities in business 
decisions and acknowledge that 
adopting the recommendations of the 
Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD) is an important step 
in supporting a smooth transition to a 
low-carbon economy. 

This year we brought together a 
cross-functional working group to fully 
examine our priority areas and diagnose 
issues related to climate risk. Through this 
collaboration, we are assessing the range 
of risks and opportunities that climate 
change poses to Diageo and options for 
managing these. Going forward, climate 
risk will be managed holistically by this 
group and regular updates will be 
provided to the Executive and Board.
We have completed a number of 
assessments in specific countries to 
better understand the impact of climate 
change including water scarcity, and the 
possible impact on our supply chains.
In the coming year, we will progress 
further with the implementation of the 
TCFD recommendations, including 
completing in-depth climate risk 
assessments in a number of key markets 

– and aligning our short-, medium- and 
long-term outlook on climate risk with 
the business’s principal risk time 
horizons. 

This Annual Report contains additional 

disclosures on our climate risks and 
opportunities on page 56.

Brexit
We continue to monitor and where 
possible mitigate the implications of Brexit, 
leveraging a cross-functional approach to 
understand the risks that Brexit poses. The 
mitigations for this risk are covered within 
Risk 2 of our principal risks (Economic 
change) on page 22 and Brexit is discussed 
in more detail in the financial disclosures 
section on page 170.

We remain deeply committed to operating 
in the right way in everything we do. 
Compliance and conducting our business 
with integrity are non-negotiables, and our 
approach to risk and compliance helps us go 
beyond the basics to encourage the right 
behaviours and attitudes everywhere, 
every day.

Our global Code of Business Conduct 

(Code), available in 20 languages, is the 
backbone of how we manage compliance risk. 
The Code sets out what we stand for as a 
company and how we operate to enable all 
our employees to understand what is required 
of them in the conduct of our business across 
a range of compliance areas.

We undertake mandatory global training, 

with an integrated Annual Certification of 
Compliance (ACC) for all managers. In 2019, 
the ACC was completed by 100% of eligible 
employees, 9,771 people. Global training is 
delivered in an easily accessible eLearning 
format with classroom training delivered to 
those employees who do not have regular 
access to a computer. 

Another area of potential compliance 
risk is our interactions with third parties. 
Our Know Your Business Partner programme 
is designed to help us evaluate the risk of 
doing business with a third party prior to 
entering into a contractual relationship, as 
well as monitor any changes throughout our 
interactions. We assess all our business 
partners for potential compliance risks such 
as bribery corruption, money laundering, 
tax evasion facilitation, data privacy or other 
reputational red flags, and we implement 
additional due diligence processes on those 
that pose a potential higher risk. Central 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT22

1   Efficient growth

2   Consistent value creation

3   Credibility and trust

4   Engaged people

V  Risk included in viability assessment

Impact

How we mitigate

Developments in 2019

Risk

1. 

 Market restrictions 
and indirect tax
 Fiscal pressures and/
or failure to address 
perceived growth in 
anti-alcohol 
sentiment. 

V
1 2 3

•  Regulators in major 
markets impose 
indirect tax increases, 
trade barriers and/or 
restrictions on 
marketing and 
availability.

•  Damage to our 

corporate reputation.

•  Multi-year public policy plans, regulatory 
policy risk tracking and policy modelling. 
•  Positive Drinking programmes supported 
by a global industry platform to promote 
responsible drinking. 

•  Evidence-based engagement to build trust 
and reputation with governments and other 
stakeholders.

•  Capability building on government affairs, 

alcohol policy and campaigning. 

•  Protectionism and uncertainty in the international trading 

environment continue to increase adding pressure on tariffs, 
indirect taxation and regulation. Anti-alcohol sentiment 
continues to put pressure on governments to increase taxes 
and impose tighter regulations; however, we are well placed 
to manage these risks. 

•  Improved monitoring, analysis and advocacy to mitigate 

policy risks.

•  Strengthened capability in managing marketing and 
availability regulations; and enhanced network of 
stakeholders on public policy matters.

•  We are at the forefront of industry initiatives in promoting 
responsible drinking and will be introducing a new digital 
marketing self-regulation commitment.

•  Volatility has been mainly driven by political or legislative 
issues, rather than GDP or economic volatility. While the 
macro environment continues to be uncertain, we believe 
this risk remains stable. 

•  Ongoing risk identification and mitigation planning to 

respond to the risks associated with Brexit and the potential 
impact of any trade wars. We remain focused on identifying 
critical decision points to ensure potential operational 
disruption is mitigated as effectively as possible.

2.  Economic change 
 Significant local 
volatility or upheaval, 
uncertainty or failure 
to react quickly 
enough to increasing 
volatility, including 
the UK’s exit from  
the EU. 

V
1 2

•  Social unrest, liquidity 
issues, generalised 
downturn, currency 
instability, inflationary 
pressures, possible 
changes to customs 
duties and tariffs and/
or eroded consumer 
confidence, 
impacting business 
forecasting and/or 
performance.

•  Local and global monitoring of key business 
drivers and performance to prepare for rapid 
changes in external environment.

•  Group level strategic analysis and scenario 
planning to strengthen market strategies 
and risk management.

•  Strategic business reviews by CEO and senior 

executives of local strategies.

•  Multi-country investment strategy, and 

local sourcing strategies (e.g. to minimise 
currency risk).

•  Hedging strategy and currency monitoring.
•  Monitor and analyse data on a regular basis; 
changes in economic data are updated into 
our economic models which are then 
recalibrated. 

3. 

 Critical industry 
developments
 Failure to shape or 
participate in critical 
consumer, customer 
or competitor 
developments. 

V
1 2 3

•  Consumers move 

away from our brands 
to alternative 
products.

•  Highly diversified portfolio of brands to 
ensure coverage of consumer occasions 
and price points.

•  Rigorous processes of strategy and 

•  Suboptimal routes  
to consumers and 
customers.

•  Less efficient business 
model compared to 
key competitors.

innovation development at corporate and 
market level.

•  Systematic review of a broad range of macro 
and micro forces acting on our industry and 
ecosystem including emerging consumer 
and route to consumer trends and potential 
disruptive technologies.

•  Continuous assessment and optimisation of 

business efficiencies and investments.

•  Industry developments and consumer trends continue to 
evolve; however we believe our management of this risk is 
strong and our risk outlook remains stable.

•  We focus our innovation on our strategic priorities and the 
biggest consumer opportunities through global brand 
extensions and new-to-world products. The Distill Ventures 
model complements our internal innovation by enabling us 
to invest in exciting early stage brands/entrepreneurs.
•  We continue to build capabilities and business structures 

that enable us to be agile in responding to shifting 
consumer trends.

4. 

 Non-compliance 
with laws and 
regulations
 Non-compliance 
with local laws or 
regulations, or breach 
of our internal global 
policies and standards 
and/or significant 
internal control 
breakdown.

1 2 3 4

5. 

 Sustainability and 
responsibility 
 Failure to manage  
key sustainability  
risks or meet key 
sustainability goals.

1 2 3 4

•  Severe damage to our 
corporate reputation 
and/or significant 
financial penalty.

•  Code of Business Conduct and supporting 
policies and standards set out compliance 
requirements.

•  Risk assessment framework to identify, assess 
and monitor business and compliance risks. 

•  New regulations in a number of countries in which we 

operate; however, this risk remains stable as we manage 
increasing requirements within our existing processes 
and structures.

•  Introduced analytic and visualisation tool to improve the 

•  Regular training, communications, annual 
certification and engagement activities to 
embed employee understanding.

•  Well embedded SOX and COSO control 

assurance programme.

•  Global third party due diligence process 
supported by technology and central 
oversight.

monitoring of high-risk compliance areas.

•  Introduced a new interactive leadership engagement tool to 
further embed compliance understanding and capability.

•  Harm to future 

•  Sustainability & Responsibility Strategy 

growth either directly 
or indirectly via 
reputational impact, 
reducing trust among 
consumers and other 
stakeholders.

credible with stakeholders and 
operationalised to deliver against majority 
of our targets. 

•  Resource scarcity issues identified and 

mitigated, including water and energy use. 

•  Human rights interventions delivering 
against UN Guiding Principles and UK 
Modern Slavery Act requirements. 
•  Key external partnerships in place to 
strengthen delivery and strategy.

•  Our progress towards achieving the majority of sustainability 
and responsibility metrics and our position with external 
stakeholders leads us to believe this risk remains stable.
•  Cross-functional group developing approach to climate 

change risk reporting, guided by Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations.
•  Water Blueprint extended to include suppliers.
•  Human rights impact assessments in South Africa and Nigeria 

completed this year (see pages 48-49).

•  First full year of progress against 2025 positive drinking targets, 
focused on moderation and reducing harm (see pages 45-47). 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
How we protect our business

23

Risk

Impact

How we mitigate

Developments in 2019

6.  Cyber threat
 Theft, loss and 
misappropriation of 
our most important 
digital assets.

1 2 3 4

•  Financial loss, 
operational 
disruption and 
reputational damage.

•  Focus on insider threat by tightening 

‘privileged access’ to critical applications. 
•  Mandatory global eLearning and regular 

phishing exercises.

•  Experts perform intelligence-led, proactive 

hunting and monitoring of threats.

•  Advanced malware detection and blocking. 
•  High-risk market cyber stress tests. 
•  Regular ethical hacking exercises to improve 

surveillance monitoring and response.

7. 

 Political 
instability 
and terrorism
 Impacts from political 
instability and security 
threats including 
terrorism.

1 3 4

•  Diageo employees, 
sites or supply chain 
threatened and/
or harmed.

•  Our ability to operate 

in key markets is 
disrupted.

•  In-country security managers overseeing 
people and physical security and above 
market subject matter experts.

•  Monitoring of local security situations.
•  Global Business Continuity and Crisis 

Management Framework.

•  Global travel security programme for all 

Diageo travellers.

•  Global and market liaison with government, 
academia and industry on evolving threats 
and responding to incidents.

•  Increased number of indiscriminate or opportunistic attacks 

targeting organisations across industries.

•  Despite the increasing frequency of cyber attacks (including 

phishing, ransomware and potential disruptions to production 
operations), we believe that we have the right strategies in 
place to, where possible, effectively mitigate the risk.

•  Increased investment in intelligence-led threat analysis to 
better predict and proactively manage the most serious 
threats and improve our control environment.

•  Programme of employee awareness campaigns and training 

to help employees appropriately respond to potential 
cyber threats.

•  Increasingly unstable geo-politics and decreasing 

multilateralism has raised the risk of conflict, trade wars  
and state sponsored cyber attacks. We have also seen  
the continued confluence between organised crime, terrorism 
and state actors, especially in creating increasing cyber risks. 

•  Introduced terrorism crisis simulation exercises across 

various markets and established quarterly cross-functional 
threat reviews.

•  Implementation of Diageo Incident Management Database 

to monitor security incidents and trends. 

•  Increased intelligence capacity through extra internal 

resources and third party threat monitoring.

8.  Data privacy
 Breach of data 
protection laws or 
regulations.

1 2 3 4

•  Harm to our 

reputation with 
consumers, 
customers and/or 
our people.

•  Non-compliance with 

data protection 
regulation.

•  Significant financial 
penalty of up to 4% 
of global turnover.

•  Global Data Privacy programme with 

global data privacy policy, training and 
communications.

•  Use of Privacy Impact Assessments in key risk 
areas of the business concerning the proper 
use of data.

•  Minimum standard for compliance set 
globally with a focus on key risk areas.

•  The introduction of the GDPR in the EU in 2018 and 
high-profile data breaches by other companies has 
heightened consumer awareness and led to greater 
regulatory scrutiny. There is a trend of GDPR shaping 
regulations in other jurisdictions. The overall risk outlook 
is increasing due to emerging regulations globally increased 
enforcement action and significant regulatory fines.

•  Embedded a global incident response process to identify, 

investigate, risk assess and respond effectively to any 
personal information security incidents. This has been 
expanded to cover third-party incidents affecting our 
people and consumers.

9. 

International tax
 Significant changes to 
the international tax 
environment such as 
responding to 
concerns around the 
‘digital economy’ and 
EU anti-tax abuse 
measures alter our 
operating position.

V
1 2  3

•  Increase in the cost 
of doing business 
arising from an 
increase in our 
effective and cash 
tax rates.

•  Changing tax laws 
and audit activity 
lead to additional 
tax exposures 
and uncertainty.

•  Ongoing review of our tax policy in light 

•  The international tax environment has been subject to 

of changing rules and stakeholder 
expectations.

•  Monitoring and, where appropriate, 

expressing views on the formulation of 
tax laws either directly or through trade 
associations or similar bodies.

•  End-to-end review of our processes to 
continually improve our tax control/
governance environment.

•  Submission of our Country-by-Country 

increased scrutiny and change in recent years, increasing 
the overall levels of risk to business and is expected to 
continue.

•  Investment by governments in the ‘digitisation of tax 
administration’ will facilitate enhanced access to and 
analysis of our data, which is likely to increase audit activity.
•  The OECD’s work on digitalisation may result in changes to 
how multinationals are taxed and could result in unilateral 
and punitive tax measures if a consensus-based approach 
cannot be found. 

Report to the relevant tax authorities on an 
annual basis ensures they have full visibility 
of our tax footprint.

•  In common with other multinationals, we face scrutiny 
from certain authorities, as outlined in our contingency 
liability note. 

10.  Product quality

 Contamination of raw 
materials or finished 
product, or unsafe 
counterfeit product 
is supplied to 
the market.

2 3

•  Harm to consumers 

and/or

•  Our corporate and 
brand reputation 
is damaged.

•  Food Safety System 22000 Certification in 
place for owned brewing and packaging 
sites, and third party site audit programme 
in place.

•  Physical security standards and vetting 

procedures in place across our 
production sites. 

•  Anti-counterfeiting measures embedded in 
our packaging deter against reuse and make 
our products more difficult to copy.
•  Active programme at market level, with 

global oversight and technical support to 
identify high-risk areas, engaging with 
customs and law enforcement authorities 
and participating in industry initiatives to 
monitor and prevent counterfeit activity.

•  Application of unique lot-codes on all 

products for product recall requirements.
•  Food fraud and food threat risk assessments 

regularly undertaken.

•  Strong controls in place in line with best practice and we 

assess this risk as stable.

•  Global Food Safety Initiative assurance strategy being rolled 
out across wholly owned breweries and packaging sites. 
This is also being expanded to our key third party 
production sites. 

•  Brand protection and anti-counterfeit activities focused on 
high-risk markets and on new technology to assist with 
product verification, and pro-actively working with online 
market places to identify inappropriate activities and seek to 
close them out.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
24

Group financial review

This is another strong set of results with consistent and improved delivery on all our measures of efficient growth and value creation. Organic net 
sales growth of 6% was broad based and underpinned by volume growth and an acceleration in price mix. We have embedded a culture of 
everyday efficiency which provides the fuel for us to smartly invest in brands and capabilities to deliver sustainable medium-term growth and to 
expand margins. Over the last year we have increased marketing spend by 8% while expanding organic operating margin by 83bps. Through the 
year we continued our disciplined conversion of profit into cash with free cash flow delivery of £2.6 billion and we returned a total of $4.4 billion to 
shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. Our clear strategy and high-performance culture give me confidence that we are well 
positioned to continue to deliver consistent sustainable growth and create value for all of our stakeholders.

Kathryn Mikells, Chief Financial Officer

Reported net sales were up

Volume

Net sales(i)

Operating profit(ii)

Operating profit 
before exceptionals(iii)

5.8%

as organic growth was partially offset 
by acquistions and disposals

Reported operating profit was up

9.5%

driven by organic growth, lower exceptional 
operating charges and favourable exchange, 
partially offset by acquisitions and disposals

Organic results improved with 
volume growth of

Free cash flow continued to be strong at

Organic net sales growth of

Organic operating profit grew

2.3%
6.1%
9%
£2.6bn
£3.2bn
130.7 pence

Basic eps of

was up 7.4%

Net cash from operating activities was

Eps before exceptional items increased

10%

to 130.8 pence

North America

Europe and Turkey

Africa

Latin America and Caribbean

Asia Pacific

(i)  Excluding corporate net sales of £53 million (2018 – £52 million).
(ii)  Excluding net corporate cost of £210 million (2018 – £158 million).
(iii) Excluding exceptional operating charges of £74 million (2018 – £128 million) and net corporate operating costs 

of £189 million (2018 – £158 million).

Summary financial information
Volume
Net sales
Marketing
Operating profit before exceptional items
Exceptional operating items(i)
Operating profit
Share of associate and joint venture profit after tax
Non-operating exceptional gain(i)
Net finance charges
Exceptional taxation (charge)/credit(i)
Tax rate including exceptional items
Tax rate before exceptional items
Profit attributable to parent company’s shareholders
Basic earnings per share
Earnings per share before exceptional items
Recommended full year dividend

(i)  For further details of exceptional items see pages 123 to 124.

North America
Europe and Turkey
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Asia Pacific
Diageo – reported growth by region(ii)
North America
Europe and Turkey
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Asia Pacific
Diageo – organic growth by region(ii)

EUm
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
%
%
£ million
pence
pence
pence

2019
245.9
12,867
2,042
4,116
(74)
4,042
312
144
(263)
(39)
21.2
20.6
3,160
130.7
130.8
68.57

2018
240.4
12,163
1,882
3,819
(128)
3,691
309
–
(260)
203
15.9
20.7
3,022
121.7
118.6
65.3

Volume
%
2
(2)
1
1
5
2
2
(2)
1
1
5
2

Net sales 
%
8
–
7
6
7
6
5
4
7
9
9
6

Marketing
%
15
3
10
3
6
9
11
6
3
6
7
8

Operating 
profit(i)
%
4
(1)
44
19
24
8
3
2
50
19
26
9

(i)  Before exceptional operating items.
(ii)  Includes Corporate. In the year ended 30 June 2019 corporate net sales were £53 million (2018 – £52 million). 

Net corporate operating costs were £189 million (2018 – £158 million).

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25

Net sales (£ million)
Reported net sales grew 5.8% 
Organic net sales grew 6.1% 

Operating margin (%)
Reported operating margin increased 107bps
Organic operating margin increased 83bps

47bps

14bps

38 bps

(37)bps

(22)bps

67bps

31.4%

Organic movement

2019

30.3%

2018

Exceptional operating items
Exchange
Acquisitions and disposals

 Gross margin
 Marketing
Other operating expenses

Reported operating margin increased 107bps driven by organic 
operating margin improvement, lower exceptional operating charges 
and favourable exchange partially offset by the impact from 
acquisitions and disposals. 

Organic operating margin improved 83bps driven by improved 
price/mix and productivity benefits from everyday cost efficiencies, 
partially offset by cost inflation and higher marketing investment.  

12,163

24

280

(57)

457

12,867

Organic movement

2018

2019

Exchange(i)
Acquisitions and disposals

 Volume
 Price/mix

(i)  Exchange rate movements reflect the translation of prior year reported 

results at current year exchange rates. 

Reported net sales grew 5.8%, driven by organic growth and 
favourable exchange which was partially offset by acquisitions 
and disposals. 

Organic volume growth of 2.3% and 3.8% positive price/mix 
delivered 6.1% organic net sales growth. All regions reported organic 
net sales growth. 

Operating profit (£ million)
Reported operating profit grew 9.5%
Organic operating profit grew 9.0%

3,691

54

25

(64)

336

4,042

2018

2019

 Exceptional operating items
 Exchange

 Acquisitions and disposals
 Organic movement

Reported operating profit was up 9.5% driven by organic growth, lower 
exceptional operating charges, and favourable exchange, partially 
offset by acquisitions and disposals. 

Organic operating profit grew ahead of net sales at 9.0%.  

Acquisitions and disposals
The impact of acquisitions and disposals on the reported figures was 
primarily attributable to the disposal of a portfolio of 19 brands to 
Sazerac which was completed on 20 December 2018 and to the prior 
year acquisition of the Casamigos brand. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
  
26

Basic earnings per share (pence)
Basic eps increased 7.4% from 121.7 pence to 130.7 pence
Eps before exceptional items increased 10.3% from
118.6 pence to 130.8 pence

Free cash flow (£ million)
Net cash from operating activities(i) was £3,248 million
Free cash flow was £2,608 million

121.7

1.0

(3.2)

(2.0)

13.5

0.1

2.5

1.6

130.7

(3.3)

(1.2)

2,523

25

248

(63)

(95)

(54)

(1)

25

2,608

2018

Exceptional items after tax
 Exchange on operating profit
 Acquisitions and disposals
 Organic operating profit growth(i)
Associates and joint ventures

2019

2018

2019

Net finance charges(ii)
 Tax
 Share buyback
 Non-controlling interests

 Exchange(ii)
 Operating profit(iii)
 Working capital(iv)
 Capex

 Tax
 Interest
 Other(v)

(i)  Excluding exchange.
(ii) Net finance charges in relation to share buyback and acquisitions and 
  disposals are reflected in the respective categories.

Eps before exceptional items increased 12.2 pence as organic operating 
profit growth and lower finance charges more than offset the higher 
tax charge and impact from acquisitions and disposals.

Basic eps increased 9.0 pence impacted by an increase in net 

exceptional charges.

(i)  Net cash from operating activities excludes net capex and movements

in loans and other investments (2019 – £(640) million; 2018 – £(561) million). 

(ii)  Exchange on operating profit before exceptional items.
(iii) Operating profit excluding exchange, depreciation and amortisation, 

post employment charges and non-cash items but including exceptional 
operating items. 

(iv) Working capital movement includes maturing inventory.
(v)  Other items include post employment payments, dividends received

from associates and joint ventures, and movements in loans and other investments.

Net cash from operating activities was £3.2 billion, an increase of 
£164 million compared to last year. Free cash flow continued to be 
strong at £2.6 billion, an increase of £85 million. This was largely driven 
by operating profit growth and favourable exchange movement 
which more than offset the reduced working capital gains and 
increased investment in maturing stock, increased capex and higher 
tax payments.

Return on average invested capital (%)(i)
ROIC improved 80bps

151bps

(9)bps

(15)bps

15.1%

(33)bps

14.3%

17bps

(31)bps

2018

2019

 Exchange
 Acquisitions and disposals
 Organic operating profit growth

 Associates and joint ventures
 Tax
Other

(i)  ROIC calculation excludes exceptional items.

ROIC increased 80bps largely driven by organic operating profit growth 
which was partially offset by the impact of acquisitions and disposals, 
higher tax charges and other movements, primarily net capex and 
maturing stock.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Exchange
(a)
£ million
(234)
258
24
(9)
15
(5)
15
25

Acquisitions  
and disposals
(b)
£ million
(61)
4
(57)
9
(48)
(1)
(15)
(64)

Organic
movement(i)
£ million
1,157
(420)
737
(232)
505
(144)
(25)
336

Reclassification(ii)

£ million
–
–
–
–
–
(10)
10
–

Income statement

Sales
Excise duties
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Marketing
Other operating expenses
Operating profit before exceptional items
Exceptional operating items (c)
Operating profit
Non-operating items (c)
Net finance charges
Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures
Profit before taxation
Taxation (d)
Profit for the year

2018
£ million
18,432
(6,269)
12,163
(4,634)
7,529
(1,882)
(1,828)
3,819
(128)
3,691
–
(260)
309
3,740
(596)
3,144

2019
£ million
19,294
(6,427)
12,867
(4,866)
8,001
(2,042)
(1,843)
4,116
(74)
4,042
144
(263)
312
4,235
(898)
3,337

(i)  For the definition of organic movement see page 60.
(ii)  For the year ended 30 June 2018 marketing costs of £10 million in South Africa have been reclassified from overheads to marketing.

(a) Exchange
The impact of movements in exchange 
rates on reported figures for net sales and 
operating profit is principally in respect of 
the weakening of sterling against the US 
dollar, the euro and the Kenyan shilling, 
partially offset by strengthening of sterling 
against the Turkish lira, the Indian rupee and 
the Australian dollar.

The effect of movements in exchange 
rates and other movements on profit before 
exceptional items and taxation for the 
year ended 30 June 2019 is set out in the 
table below.

Translation impact
Transaction impact
Operating profit before  
  exceptional items
Net finance charges
Associates – translation impact
Profit before exceptional items  
  and taxation

Gains/ 
(losses) 
£ million
15
10

25
(9)
–

16

Exchange rates
  Translation  £1 =
  Transaction  £1 =
  Translation  £1 =
  Transaction  £1 =

Year 
ended 
30 June 
2019

Year 
 ended
 30 June 
2018

$1.29
$1.33
€1.13
€1.13

$1.35
$1.36
€1.13
€1.16

(b) Acquisitions and disposals
The acquisitions and disposals movement 
was mainly attributable to the disposal 
of a portfolio of 19 brands (see the list 
of brands disposed of on page 60) to 
Sazerac completed on 20 December 2018 
and to the prior year acquisition of the 
Casamigos brand. 

See note 11 and note 12 for further details.

(c) Exceptional items
Exceptional operating charges in the year 
ended 30 June 2019 were £74 million before 
tax (2018 – £128 million). 

On 26 October 2018, the High Court 
of Justice of England and Wales issued 
a judgment in a claim between Lloyds 
Banking Group Pension Trustees Limited (the 
claimant) and Lloyds Bank plc (defendant) 
that UK pension schemes should equalise 
pension benefits for men and women for 
the calculation of their guaranteed minimum 
pension liability. The judgment concluded 
that the claimant has a duty to amend their 
pension schemes to equalise benefits and 
provided comments on the method to be 
adopted to equalise the benefits. This court 
ruling impacts the majority of companies 
with a UK defined benefit pension plan 
that was in existence prior to 1997. For the 
Diageo Pension Scheme (DPS) an estimate 
was made of the impact of equalisation 
which increased the liabilities of the DPS by 
£21 million with a corresponding charge to 
exceptional operating items. Additional work 
will be carried out to finalise the charge in 
the year ending 30 June 2020.

Following recent assessments of 

competitors’ indirect tax in respect of certain 

channel accounts and a recent regulatory 
change in Korea, Diageo has made a 
provision, in the year ended 30 June 2019, 
of £35 million in respect of prior years.

In July 2019 Diageo reached agreement 

with the French tax authorities resulting 
in penalty charges of £18 million (see 
Taxation below).

In the year ended 30 June 2018, there 
was an impairment charge of £128 million 
in respect of the Meta brand, Ethiopian 
tangible fixed assets, associated spare parts 
reported in inventory and goodwill allocated 
to the Africa Regional Markets cash-
generating unit.

Non-operating exceptional items in the 
year ended 30 June 2019 were £144 million 
income before tax (2018 – £nil).

Diageo completed the sale of 
a portfolio of 19 brands to Sazerac on 
20 December 2018 for an aggregate 
consideration of $550 million (£435 million) 
resulting in a profit before taxation of 
$198 million (£155 million).

The disposal of United National Breweries 

(UNB), Diageo’s wholly owned sorghum 
business in South Africa, was agreed in 
December 2018 and is subject to regulatory 
approvals. The prospective sale has resulted 
in an exceptional loss of approximately 
ZAR 156 million (£9 million).

The disposal of the Indian wine business 

resulted in a loss of £2 million.

See page 60 for the definition of 
exceptional items.

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Group financial review 2728 

(d) Taxation
The reported tax rate for the year ended 
30 June 2019 was 21.2% compared with 
15.9% for the year ended 30 June 2018. 
Included in the tax charge of £898 million 
for the year ended 30 June 2019 is a net 
exceptional tax charge of £39 million. 

As disclosed in the interim announcement 

for the six month ended 31 December 2018, 
Diageo has been in discussions with the 
French tax authorities over the deductibility 
of certain interest costs, and assessments 
had been issued denying tax relief for 
interest costs incurred in the periods 
ended 30 June 2011 to 30 June 2017 with a 
maximum potential liability of €241 million 
(£213 million). In July 2019 Diageo reached 
a resolution on the treatment of interest 
costs for all open periods which resulted in 
a total exceptional charge of €100 million 
(£88 million), comprising a tax charge 
of €69 million (£61 million), penalties of 
€21 million (£18 million) and interest of 
€10 million (£9 million). This brings to a close 
all open issues with the French tax authorities 
for periods up to and including 30 June 2017.
During the year ended 30 June 2019 the 
Dutch Senate agreed to a phased reduction 
in the Dutch corporate tax rate which is 
effective from 1 January 2020. An exceptional 
tax credit of £51 million principally arose from 
remeasuring the deferred tax liabilities in 
respect of the Ketel One vodka distribution 
rights from 25% to 20.5%.

In addition, in the year ended 
30 June 2019 there was a £33 million 
exceptional charge in respect of the disposal 
of a portfolio of 19 brands to Sazerac and an 
exceptional tax credit of £4 million in respect 
of the equalisation of liabilities for males and 
females in the Diageo Pension Scheme.

For the year ended 30 June 2018 there 
was an exceptional tax credit of £203 million 
comprising the favourable impact of 
applying the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted 
on 22 December 2017, in the United States of 
£354 million, which was partially offset by the 
additional exceptional tax charge in respect 
of the transfer pricing agreement in the 
United Kingdom of £143 million and other 
net exceptional charges of £8 million.

The tax rate before exceptional items 
for the year ended 30 June 2019 was 20.6% 
compared with 20.7% in the prior year. The 
year ended 30 June 2019 benefitted from 
one-off items which are not expected to 
repeat. This combined with our changing 
business mix is expected to result in a tax 
rate before exceptional items for the year 
ending 30 June 2020 to be in the range 
of 21% to 22%.

(e) Dividend
The group aims to increase the dividend 
each year and the decision in respect of the 
dividend is made with reference to dividend 
cover as well as current performance 
trends including sales and profit after tax 
together with cash generation. Diageo 
targets dividend cover (the ratio of basic 
earnings per share before exceptional 
items to dividend per share) within the 
range of 1.8-2.2 times. For the year ended 
30 June 2019 dividend cover is 1.9 times. 
The recommended final dividend for the 
year ended 30 June 2019 is 42.47 pence, an 
increase of 5% consistent with the interim 
dividend increase. This brings the full year 
dividend to 68.57 pence per share. It is 
expected that a mid-single digit increase 
in the dividend will be maintained until 
the cover is operating comfortably in the 
policy range. 

Subject to approval by shareholders, 
the final dividend will be paid to holders 
of ordinary shares and US ADRs on the 
register as of 9 August 2019. The ex-
dividend date both for the holders of the 
ordinary shares and for US ADR holders is 
8 August 2019. The final dividend will be 
paid to shareholders on 3 October 2019. 
Payment to US ADR holders will be made 
on 8 October 2019. A dividend reinvestment 
plan is available to holders of ordinary shares 
in respect of the final dividend and the plan 
notice date is 12 September 2019.

(f) Share buyback
On 26 July 2018, a share buyback 
programme was approved to return up to 
£2.0 billion to shareholders during the year 
ending 30 June 2019. On 20 December 2018 
Diageo completed the sale of a portfolio of 
19 brands to Sazerac. The net proceeds of 
approximately £340 million, after corporate 
tax and transaction costs, were returned 
to shareholders through an increase 
to the share buyback programme. On 
30 January 2019 the Board approved an 
incremental share buyback programme of 
£660 million, bringing the total programme 
up to £3.0 billion for the year ending 
30 June 2019.

In the year ended 30 June 2019, 

94.7 million shares were repurchased for an 
aggregate consideration of £2.8 billion. After 
the year end a further 0.3 million shares were 
purchased for an aggregate consideration of 
£26 million, including settlement payments 
for the full tranche, which were recognised 
as a financial liability at 30 June 2019. The 
shares purchased under the share buyback 
programmes were cancelled.

On 25 July 2019, the Board approved plans 
for a further return of capital up to £4.5 billion 
to shareholders for the three year period to 
30 June 2022.

Movement in net borrowings  
and equity

Movement in  
net borrowings
Net borrowings at the 
beginning of the year
Free cash flow (a)
Acquisitions (b)
Sale of businesses  
and brands (c)
Share buyback 
programme
Proceeds from issue  
of share capital
Net sale of own shares 
for share schemes (d)
Dividends paid to 
non-controlling interests
Rights issue proceeds from 
non-controlling interests 
of subsidiary company
Net movements  
in bonds (e)
Purchase of shares  
of non-controlling 
interests (f)
Net movements in  
other borrowings (g)
Equity dividends paid
Net increase/(decrease) 
in cash and cash 
equivalents
Net increase in bonds and 
other borrowings
Exchange differences (h)
Other non-cash items
Net borrowings at the 
end of the year

2019 
£ million

2018
£ million

(9,091)
2,608
(56)

(7,892)
2,523
(594)

426

4

(2,775)

(1,507)

1

50

1

8

(112)

(80)

–

26

1,598

1,041

(784)

–

721
(1,623)

(26)
(1,581)

54

(185)

(2,331)
(22)
113

(1,015)
80
(79)

(11,277)

(9,091)

(a) See page 26 for the analysis of free 
cash flow.

(b) In the year ended 30 June 2019 Diageo 
has made a number of small acquisitions 
of brands, distribution rights and equity 
interests in various drinks businesses.

In the year ended 30 June 2018 acquisitions  

included $706 million (£549 million) in 
respect of the completion of the acquisition 
of Casamigos. See note 9 for further details.

(c) In the year ended 30 June 2019, sale 
of businesses and brands represents the 
cash received on the disposal of a portfolio 
of 19 brands sold to Sazerac net of 
transaction costs. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Post employment plans
The net surplus of the group’s post 
employment benefit plans increased 
by £151 million from £63 million at 
30 June 2018 to £214 million at 30 June 2019. 
The increase primarily arose due to an 
increase in the market value of the assets 
held by the post employment schemes 
and the cash contributions paid into the 
post employment plans being in excess 
of the impact of the changes in financial 
assumptions and income statement charge. 

The operating profit charge before 
exceptional items decreased by £34 million 
from £84 million for the year ended 
30 June 2018 to £50 million for the year 
ended 30 June 2019 primarily due to 
changes made to future pension increases 
for members of the UK scheme (including 
a Pension Increase Exchange (PIE) option 
offered to current pensioners) and changes 
to the principal Irish scheme which resulted 
in an aggregate past service credit of 
£54 million (2018 – £21 million in respect of 
changes to future pension increases in the 
principal Irish scheme). 

Total cash contributions by the group 
to all post employment plans in the year 
ending 30 June 2020 are estimated to be 
approximately £170 million.

(d) Net sale of own shares comprised 
purchase of options over own shares and 
treasury shares for the future settlement 
of obligations under the employee share 
option schemes of £16 million (2018 – 
£68 million) less receipts from employees on 
the exercise of share options of £66 million 
(2018 – £76 million). 

(e) In the year ended 30 June 2019, the 
group issued bonds of €2,600 million 
(£2,270 million) and £496 million (including 
£4 million discount and fee) and repaid 
bonds of €1,350 million (£1,168 million). 
In the comparable period the group issued 
bonds of €1,275 million (£1,136 million) and 
$2,000 million (£1,476 million) and repaid 
bonds of $2,100 million (£1,571 million). 

(f) In the year ended 30 June 2019 purchase 
of shares of non-controlling interests 
comprised RMB 6,774 million (£775 million) 
and transaction costs of £9 million in respect 
of the acquisition of 23.43% of the share 
capital of Sichuan Shuijingfang Company 
Limited (SJF) in two separate transactions. 
This took Diageo’s shareholding in SJF from 
39.71% to 63.14%. SJF is a manufacturer and 
distributor of Chinese white spirits located 
in Sichuan province in China and was 
controlled and therefore consolidated prior 
to the transactions in the year. 

(g) In the year ended 30 June 2019 the net 
movement in other borrowings principally 
arose from the issue of commercial paper.

(h) The exchange arising on net borrowings 
of £22 million is primarily driven by 
unfavourable exchange movements on US 
dollar and euro denominated borrowings 
partially offset by a favourable movement 
on foreign exchange swaps and forwards. 

Movement in equity
Equity at the beginning 
of the year
Profit for the year
Exchange adjustments (a)
Remeasurement of post 
employment plans net 
of taxation
Purchase of shares 
of non-controlling 
interests (b)
Rights issue proceeds from 
non-controlling interests 
of subsidiary company (c)
Dividends to non-
controlling interests
Equity dividends paid
Share buyback 
programme
Other reserve movements
Equity at the end 
of the year

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

11,713
3,337
255

12,028
3,144
(609)

36

368

(784)

–

(114)
(1,623)

(2,801)
137

–

26

(101)
(1,581)

(1,507)
(55)

10,156

11,713

(a) Exchange movement in the year ended 
30 June 2019 primarily arose from exchange 
gains in respect of the US dollar and the 
Indian rupee partially offset by exchange 
losses on the Turkish lira. 

(b) In the year ended 30 June 2019 Diageo 
acquired an additional 23.43% of the share 
capital of SJF which was already controlled 
and therefore consolidated prior to the 
transaction. This took Diageo’s shareholding 
in SJF from 39.71% to 63.14%.

(c) In the year ended 30 June 2018 a rights 
issue was completed by Guinness Nigeria 
(GN) where Diageo’s controlling equity share 
in GN increased from 54.32% to 58.02%. The 
transaction resulted in a credit of £31 million 
to non-controlling interests and a charge of 
£5 million to reserves.

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Group financial review 29 
 
30 

North America remains the largest 
premium drinks market worldwide. 
For Diageo, North America 
represents approximately one third 
of our net sales and approximately 
half of our operating profit.
The consumer lies at the 
heart of our business. We are 
focused on delivering sustainable 
performance through investment 
behind our brands, data led 
insights and executional excellence 
in our route to market. We have 
observed our portfolio achieving 
market share gains during the 
year ended 30 June 2019. We also 
disposed of 19 brands to Sazerac, 
enhancing our focus on the higher 
growth segment of our portfolio.

Our markets
Diageo North America is presently 
headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, but 
is relocating to New York, in early 2020. The 
business is comprised of US Spirits, Diageo 
Beer Company USA (DBC USA), and Diageo 
Canada, headquartered in Toronto.

Supply operations
With nine domestic production facilities 
across the United States, Canada and the 
US Virgin Islands, Diageo North America’s 
supply function is one of the largest 
producers of beverage alcohol on the 
continent. We have made major investments 
in innovation and sustainability driving 
efficiency and best in class operations.

In addition to beginning construction 
on our new Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Visitor 
Center in Shelbyville, Kentucky, in 2018 
we opened our new Guinness Open Gate 
Brewery, in Relay, Maryland, and announced 
plans to invest £100 million to build a 
new distillery and warehousing facility in 
Lebanon, Kentucky. Production at the new 
distillery is expected to commence in 2021.

North America

Net sales by markets (%)

Net sales by categories (%)

 US Spirits 
 DBC USA

 Canada
 Other (principally Travel Retail)

 Spirits
 Beer

 Ready to drink
 Other

Key financials

Net sales
Marketing
Operating profit

2018
£ million
4,116
662
1,882

Exchange 
£ million
176
24
74

Acquisitions 
and disposals 
£ million
(48)
1
(60)

Organic 
movement 
£ million
216
75
52

2019
£ million
4,460
762
1,948

Reported
movement 
%
8
15
4

Sustainability and responsibility
Both brand activity and business-wide 
programmes continue to support our 
focus on responsible drinking. Our 
‘Decisions: Party’s Over’ experience, which 
uses virtual reality to educate consumers 
about the dangers of binge drinking, has 
amassed millions of views across social 
media and other platforms. Our Crown Royal 
brand is using its involvement in the NFL 
(National Football League) as a platform to 
remind sports fans to take a water break and 
to encourage moderation. It reached over 
44 million adults this year. 

We are also making meaningful progress 
on environmental performance. This year we 
improved water use efficiency by 4.5%. We 
are continuing to assess options to eliminate 
waste to landfill for the six remaining sites 
in the region that currently dispose of low 
quantities in this way. This will support our 
zero waste to landfill target for 2020. 

We continue to work with communities 

through a range of activities, including 
our six-week Learning Skills for Life 
(LSFL) programme, which has reached 
over 600 unemployed people with 
basic employability skills, specialist 
training and work experience within the 
hospitality industry.

Route to consumer
The route to consumer in the United States is 
through the three-tier system. We distribute 
our products through approximately 
40 spirits distributors and brokers, and 
more than 400 beer distributors. We have 
consolidated our US Spirits business into 
single distributors or brokers in 41 states and 
the District of Columbia, representing more 
than 80% of our spirits volume.

Our strategy is to continue driving 

excellence in our route to consumer through 
insights-driven execution, which allows us 
to better leverage available data and deliver 
sustained performance. This includes key 
capabilities around commercial execution, 
robust performance management and using 
more granular data analytics to provide 
competitive differentiation at the outlet 
level, including changing the way we collect 
outlet level data using technology.

US Spirits is responsible for the sale of our 

portfolio of spirits products and manages 
sales through two divisions focused on Open 
(distribution through private distributors) and 
Control (distribution through governmental 
entities) states. DBC USA sells and markets 
brands including Guinness and Smirnoff 
Ice. Beer distribution generally follows the 
three-tier open state regulations across the 
United States. Diageo Canada distributes 
our portfolio of spirits, ready to drink and 
beer brands across all Canadian provinces, 
which generally operate within a highly 
regulated federal and provincial system. 
Diageo Canada manages all sales operations 
with the provincial liquor control boards and 
national chain account customers directly, 
utilising brokers to support the execution 
at the point of sale.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019North America delivered net sales growth of 
5%, with growth across all three key markets. 
The disposal of a portfolio of 19 brands to 
Sazerac resulted in an estimated 40bps 
improvement in organic net sales growth. 
In US Spirits, net sales increased 5%. Crown 
Royal net sales increased by 6% and the 
brand gained share, driven by strengthened 
marketing investment fuelling the growth 
of Crown Royal Regal Apple and by the 
Crown Royal Peach limited time offer. Bulleit 
net sales were up 8% and it continued to 
gain share in US whiskey. Scotch grew net 
sales by 7% and gained share with strong 
innovation performance recruiting new 
consumers into scotch. Vodka net sales 
were flat, an improvement over the prior 
year, reflecting growth in Ketel One and 
Smirnoff and decline in Cîroc. Ketel One 
net sales grew by 10% and gained share in 
the category, driven by Ketel One Botanical 
with improvement in core Ketel One vodka 
performance. Smirnoff net sales grew by 2% 
due to stabilisation of the base business and 
the launch of Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions. 
Captain Morgan net sales declined 5%. 
In tequila, both Don Julio and Casamigos 
delivered strong double digit growth and 
gained share in the category. Diageo Beer 
Company USA net sales grew 10%, largely 
driven by growth in ready to drink as a result 
of successful prior year innovation launches. 
Beer net sales grew by 2%, improving over 
prior year and gaining share. Net sales in 
Canada increased 5% with broad based 
growth, including strong ready to drink 
performance. North America operating 

Key highlights

Markets:
North America

US Spirits(i)
DBC USA
Canada

Spirits
Beer
Ready to drink

Global giants, local stars  
and reserve(ii):
Crown Royal
Smirnoff
Captain Morgan
Johnnie Walker
Ketel One(iv)
Cîroc vodka
Baileys
Guinness
Tanqueray
Don Julio
Bulleit
Buchanan’s

Organic 
volume
movement
%
2

Reported 
volume
movement
%
2

Organic  
net sales
movement
%
5

Reported  
net sales
movement
%
8

8
15
4

8
5
21

2
8
3

2
(4)
18

Organic 
volume
movement(iii)

%
6
2
(3)
1
10
(10)
–
(3)
2
20
11
8

(2)
8
3

2
(4)
17

Organic  
net sales
movement
%
6
3
(4)
5
10
(10)
2
2
1
26
8
4

5
10
5

5
1
18

Reported  
net sales
movement
%
10
7
–
9
15
(6)
6
6
5
32
13
9

(i)  Reported US Spirits volume growth was impacted by acquisitions and disposals.
(ii)  Spirits brands excluding ready to drink.
(iii)  Organic equals reported volume movement. 
(iv)  Ketel One includes Ketel One vodka and Ketel One Botanical.

margin declined 103bps, mainly driven 
by up-weighted marketing investment 
behind US Spirits, with some impact from 
market mix shift and higher commodity 
and logistics costs partially offset by 
overhead efficiencies.

•  Net sales in US Spirits were up 5%, broadly in line 

with depletions. Crown Royal grew net sales by 6% 
and gained share in its category, driven by continued 
growth of Crown Royal Regal Apple and Crown Royal 
Vanilla underpinned by strong marketing investment 
and the Crown Royal Peach and Crown Royal Salted 
Caramel limited time offers. In scotch, Johnnie 
Walker and Buchanan’s gained share. Johnnie Walker 
net sales increased 6% with the successful launch 
of “White Walker by Johnnie Walker” inspired by the 
TV series Game of Thrones, which recruited new 
consumers into scotch. In vodka, net sales were flat, 
an improvement on the prior year’s decline of 3%, 
despite continued weakness in Cîroc. Ketel One net 
sales were up 10%, benefitting from the success of 
Ketel One Botanical. Smirnoff returned to growth, up 
2%, with strong marketing support reflected in the 
stabilisation of the base business and strengthened 

brand equity and with growth fuelled by the launch 
of Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions in May. Captain 
Morgan net sales declined by 5% in a category that 
is also in decline. Baileys net sales grew by 3% and 
gained category share as it continued its year-round 
focus on Baileys as an everyday treat. In tequila, Don 
Julio and Casamigos had strong double digit growth 
and gained share in the tequila category with Don 
Julio significantly up-weighting media investment to 
drive awareness and Casamigos focusing on public 
relations, social media and targeted events. 

•  DBC USA net sales increased 10%, driven by ready to 
drink growth of 18% as Smirnoff Spiked Seltzer and 
Smirnoff Ice Smash success continued. In beer, net 
sales were up 2% with Guinness up 3%. The opening 
of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery and Barrel House 
in Maryland and expanding at-home consumption 
occasions supported Guinness growth. 

•  Net sales in Canada grew 5%, driven by growth in 
spirits and ready to drink. Spirits net sales were up 
3% with broad based growth across all categories, 
including a strong performance from “White Walker 
by Johnnie Walker”. Ready to drink benefitted from 
innovation, particularly the Smirnoff Ice Berry Blast 
ready to drink. 

•  Marketing grew 11%. Up-weighted investment 
coupled with the use of marketing effectiveness 
analytic tools to help make better investment 
decisions continued to strengthen brand equity and 
deliver sustainable growth.

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Business reviews: North America 3132 

Within the geography of Europe 
there are two markets: Europe 
and Turkey. Our Europe business 
is driving consistent share gaining 
performance through execution 
at scale of our consumer 
marketing programme across the 
market as well as continuing to 
optimise our route to market. The 
economic environment in Turkey 
continues to be challenging but 
we remain focused on executing 
our strategy through growth of 
international premium spirits 
and premiumisation.

Our markets
Europe comprises Great Britain, Ireland, 
France, Continental Europe (including 
Northern Europe, Central Europe, Iberia, 
the Mediterranean and the Europe Partner 
Markets distribution businesses) and Russia, 
whilst Turkey is a standalone market. Europe 
is managed as a single market with country 
teams focusing on sales and customer 
marketing execution.

Supply operations
A number of Diageo’s International Supply 
Centre (ISC) operations are located in Europe 
including production sites in the United 
Kingdom, Ireland and Italy. The group owns 
29 distilleries in Scotland, a Dublin based 
brewery, distillery, and maturation and 
packaging facilities in Scotland, England, 
Ireland and Italy. The ISC leads all supply 
chain activities for Europe and manufactures 
whisky, vodka, gin, rum, beer, cream liqueurs, 
and other spirit-based drinks which are 
distributed in over 180 countries. 

In 2018 we announced a £150 million 
investment in visitor experiences in Scotland 
over the next two years. We are transforming 
our Scotch whisky visitor experiences 
through investment in our 12 malt whisky 
distillery visitor centres with a focus on 
the ‘Four Corners distilleries’, Glenkinchie, 
Caol Ila, Clynelish and Cardhu, celebrating 

Europe and Turkey

Net sales by markets (%)

Net sales by categories (%)

 Europe 
 Turkey

 Other (principally Travel Retail)

 Spirits
 Beer

 Ready to drink
 Other

Key financials

Net sales
Marketing
Operating profit before 
exceptional items
Exceptional operating items(i)
Operating profit

2018
£ million
2,932
474

Exchange 
£ million
(95)
(10)

Acquisitions 
and disposals 
£ million
(2)
–

Organic 
movement 
£ million
104
26

2019
£ million
2,939
490

Reported
movement 
%
–
3

1,028
–
1,028

(35)

(1)

22

1,014
(18)
996

(1)

(3)

(i)  For further details on exceptional operating items see pages 123 to 124.

the important role these single malts play 
in the flavours of Johnnie Walker. Also, as 
part of the investment programme, formal 
permission for plans to create a global 
flagship visitor experience for Johnnie Walker 
in Edinburgh city centre has been received. 
Raki and vodka are produced at a number 
of sites in Turkey and other local brands are 
produced in Russia.

Route to consumer
In Great Britain we sell and market our 
products through Diageo GB (spirits, beer 
and ready to drink) and Justerini & Brooks 
Fine Wines (wines private clients). Products 
are distributed through independent 
wholesalers and directly to retailers. In 
the on-trade, products are sold through 
major brewers, multiple retail groups and 
smaller regional independent brewers and 
wholesalers. In the Republic of Ireland and 
Northern Ireland, Diageo sells and distributes 
directly to the on-trade and the off-trade as 
well as wholesalers. In France our products 
are sold through a joint venture arrangement 
with Moët Hennessy. In Continental Europe 
and Russia, we distribute our spirits brands 
primarily through our own distribution 
companies, except in Europe Partner Markets 
where we typically use distributors.

In Turkey, we sell our products via the 
distribution network of Mey İçki, our wholly 
owned subsidiary. Mey İçki distributes both 
local brands (raki, other spirits and wine) and 
Diageo’s global spirits brands.

Sustainability and responsibility
Encouraging moderation and tackling 
harmful drinking remain key strategic 
priorities. Our ‘Stay Yourself’ moderation 
campaign, which began on university 
campuses in 2018, reached a further 
five million students this year through 
online and offline channels, and we reached 
over 42,000 people through our ‘Smashed’ 
theatre-based education programme.
Our Learning for Life (L4L) skills 

programme goes from strength to strength. 
More than 600 people graduated this year 
in the UK, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, 
Belgium and Germany. We launched new 
L4L programmes in Italy and Greece, and 
in Ireland we launched the ‘Open Doors’ 
initiative, aimed at refugees, asylum seekers 
and people with disabilities. We received the 
inaugural Inclusion and Diversity Chambers 
award in Ireland for our L4L work with 
refugees and asylum seekers.

Forty-eight of our sites in Europe 

recorded zero lost-time accidents, 
maintaining the strong performance of 
last year. Our commitment to progress on 
environmental performance is reflected 
by a 10.8% improvement in our water use 
efficiency. Turkey performed particularly 
strongly, recording an improvement of 
nearly 16% this year. In April, we announced 
a £16 million investment in reducing the 
plastic content of our beer packaging 
through the use of 100% recyclable and 
biodegradable cardboard.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Europe and Turkey delivered 4% net 
sales growth, reflecting another year of 
consistent performance in Europe where 
net sales were up 3% with double digit 
growth in Turkey. Europe growth was 
driven by Continental Europe, Great 
Britain and Ireland. Strong growth in gin 
continued with Tanqueray and Gordon’s 
growing double digit. Western Europe 
continued to gain market share in gin. 
Both Gordon’s and Tanqueray benefitted 
from strong growth across their core and 
innovation variants. Beer was up 1%. Lager 
net sales grew 5% driven by Rockshore 
in Ireland, while Guinness Draught grew 
1%. Scotch net sales were flat as growth 
in Johnnie Walker and scotch malts was 
largely offset by the weaker performance 
of JεB. Baileys was up 2% largely driven 
by the launch of Baileys Strawberries & 
Cream in Continental Europe. Smirnoff net 
sales declined 2% driven by Great Britain 
and Continental Europe, partially offset 
by growth in Ireland. Tequila grew double 
digit with growth across all markets. 
Ready to drink grew 17% driven by the 
Gordon’s premix range. In Turkey, net 
sales were up 11% due to inflation and 
excise duty led price increases. Operating 
margin declined 49bps as positive price/
mix and productivity savings were offset 
by up-weighted marketing investment, 
as well as inflationary cost pressure, 
particularly in Turkey.

Key highlights

•  In Europe, net sales were up 3%: 
– In Great Britain, net sales grew 4%, with Diageo 
gaining share across beer and spirits. Gordon’s 
and Tanqueray both delivered strong double digit 
growth, both benefitting from strong growth of 
their innovation variants. Ready to drink grew 17% 
driven by the Gordon’s premix range. Guinness net 
sales grew 4%, driven by a strong performance for 
Guinness Draught and the continued growth of Hop 
House 13 Lager. Across Baileys, Smirnoff and Captain 
Morgan supply chain actions as well as commercial 
negotiations following recent pricing decisions have 
resulted in net sales decline. 

•  Ireland grew net sales 3%. Beer net sales were flat. 
Lager net sales grew 4% driven by strong growth in 
Rockshore. Guinness net sales declined 2% impacted 
by difficult competitive conditions. In spirits, net 
sales grew double digit largely driven by Smirnoff, 
Baileys and Gordon’s.

– In Continental Europe, net sales were up 3%:

Markets:
Europe and Turkey

Europe
Turkey

Spirits
Beer
Ready to drink 

Global giants and local stars(i):
Guinness
Johnnie Walker
Smirnoff
Baileys
Yenì Raki
Captain Morgan
JεB
Tanqueray

(i)  Spirits brands excluding ready to drink.
(ii)  Organic equals reported volume movement. 

Organic 
volume
movement
%
(2)

Reported 
volume
movement
%
(2)

Organic  
net sales
movement
%
4

Reported  
net sales
movement
%
–

2
(20)

(1)
–
15

–
(13)

(2)
1
13

Organic 
volume
movement(ii)

%
1
(2)
(4)
(2)
(19)
1
(8)
14

–
(13)

(2)
1
13

Organic  
net sales
movement
%
1
3
(1)
3
6
–
(8)
21

3
11

3
1
16

Reported  
net sales
movement
%
1
1
(1)
3
(24)
(2)
(10)
21

–  Iberia net sales grew 1%. Growth was driven by 

–  Russia net sales declined 3% driven by a volatile 

strong performance in Baileys and gin with growth 
across both Tanqueray and Gordon’s. Scotch 
declined 3% as growth in Cardhu and Johnnie 
Walker was offset by declines in JεB. In Spain, market 
share in scotch was broadly flat, as the category 
continued to decline.

– In Central Europe, net sales grew 4% driven by the 
launch of Baileys Strawberries & Cream and double 
digit growth in gin which more than offset the 
impact of pricing actions in Germany.

– In Northern Europe net sales were up 9% driven by 

growth across both Benelux and the Nordics partially 
driven by net revenue management initiatives. 
– In the Mediterranean Hub, net sales were down 
by 6% driven by lapping strong comparable 
performance in Italy in the prior year and a 
continuing tough economic environment in Greece.
–  Europe Partner Markets grew net sales 6% driven by 
strong scotch performance and continued growth in 
Guinness and gin. 

external environment and lapping strong 
comparables in the prior year. 

–  France net sales grew 1%. Double digit net sales 
growth in Captain Morgan was partially offset by 
a decline in JεB. 

•  In Turkey, net sales grew 11% despite volume decline 

of 13%, reflecting the impact of price increases, 
which were taken in response to increases in excise 
duties and inflation. Growth was largely driven by 
Yenì Raki which grew net sales by 7%, wine and 
scotch which grew double digit, led by strong 
growth in Johnnie Walker.

•  Marketing investment increased 6%, ahead of net 
sales, largely driven by increased investment in 
beer and gin. Beer marketing investment growth 
was primarily driven by the Six Nations rugby 
sponsorship agreement supporting the Guinness 
brand. Up-weighted investment in gin was across 
both Gordon’s and Tanqueray. 

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Business reviews: Europe and Turkey 3334 

In Africa our strategy is to grow 
through participation in beer 
and spirits across price points. 
We leverage the full range of the 
Diageo portfolio. Guinness, Malta 
and several local brands lead our 
brewing portfolio while Johnnie 
Walker and Smirnoff are at the 
heart of our international premium 
spirits offerings. Locally we produce 
a range of mainstream spirits. 
We are focused on consistent, 
profitable growth in the markets 
and categories in which we 
participate and continue to invest 
in manufacturing and partnerships 
to access more consumers across 
the continent. 

Local sourcing is very important 
to our strategy, directly supporting 
our commercial operations whilst 
bringing wider benefits to local 
communities, farmers and society 
as a whole.

Our markets
The region comprises East Africa (Kenya, 
Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and 
South Sudan), Africa Regional Markets 
(including Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia and 
Angola), Nigeria and South Africa.

Supply operations
During the financial year our operation in 
Africa consisted of 13 breweries in Africa, two 
sites that produce sorghum beer in South 
Africa, one cider plant and ten facilities which 
provide blending and malting services. In 
the year ended 30 June 2019 we established 
a site in Angola to produce spirits and ready 
to drink products and started production in 
a new brewery in Kisumu in Kenya increasing 
our capacity in an attractive market. We are 
in the process of selling the sorghum beer 
business in South Africa.

In addition, our beer and spirits brands 
are produced under license by third parties 
in 15 African countries.

Africa

Net sales by markets (%)

Net sales by categories (%)

 East Africa
 Africa Regional 
Markets (ARM)

 Nigeria
 South Africa
 Other (principally Travel Retail)

 Spirits
 Beer

 Ready to drink
 Other

Key financials

Net sales
Marketing
Operating profit before 
exceptional items
Exceptional 
operating items(ii)
Operating profit

2018
£ million
1,491
158

Exchange 
£ million
8
1

Reclassifi-
cation(i)
£ million
–
10

Acquisitions 
and disposals 
£ million
(2)
–

Organic 
movement 
£ million
100
5

2019
£ million
1,597
174

Reported
movement 
%
7
10

191

(128)
63

(6)

–

(1)

91

275

–
275

44

337

(i)  Reclassification comprises a reallocation of costs from overheads to marketing.
(ii)  For further details on exceptional operating items see pages 123 to 124.

Route to consumer
In Nigeria we own a 58.02% controlling 
stake in a listed company whose principal 
products are Guinness, Malta Guinness and 
Dubic, and in East Africa we own a 50.03% 
controlling equity stake in East African 
Breweries Limited (EABL).

EABL produces and distributes beer 
and spirits brands to a range of consumers 
in Kenya and Uganda, and also owns 51% 
of Serengeti Breweries Limited located in 
Tanzania. Within Africa Regional Markets, 
we have wholly owned subsidiaries in 
Cameroon, Ethiopia and Reunion and 
Diageo controlled subsidiaries in Ghana, 
Angola and the Seychelles. In South Africa 
we sell spirits and ready to drink products 
through our wholly owned subsidiary. 
Diageo has agreements with the Castel 
Group who brew and distribute Guinness 
under license in several countries across 
Africa Regional Markets. Diageo sells spirits 
through distributors in the majority of other 
sub-Saharan countries.

Sustainability and responsibility
We aim to create value in Africa beyond 
our significant contribution as an employer 
and taxpayer. Our supply chain is a key 
opportunity: more than 72,000 smallholder 
farmers and suppliers provide us with our 
raw materials, and we work with farmers 
to improve farm yield, livelihoods, and 
environmental and labour standards. This 
year we sourced 82% of our agricultural raw 

materials locally, and completed human 
rights impact assessments in South Africa 
and Nigeria. 

This year we announced an investment 

of £180 million in projects at 11 breweries 
across Africa that include solar and biomass 
energy, and water treatment plants. We also 
co-founded the Africa Plastics Recycling 
Alliance while developing the Ghana 
Recycling Initiative by Private Enterprises 
(GRIPE) partnership to build plastic collection 
and recycling infrastructure. 

We continue to partner with the NGO 
WaterAid to deliver safe sources of water and 
sanitation, which we aim to combine with 
our other community objectives, including 
skills training and women’s empowerment. 
This year, for example, alongside the launch 
of a new water system in Maroua, Cameroon, 
which provides water for two villages 
and irrigates local farmland, we trained 
2,000 smallholder farmers in agricultural 
best practices and helped an additional 
150 women create new water-related 
businesses. Project Heshima, in Kenya, 
provides vocational training to women at 
risk of consuming or producing illicit alcohol, 
empowering them economically while 
counteracting a serious public health risk. 
As part of our focus on responsible 
drinking, we expanded our ‘Smashed’ 
underage drinking campaigns in Nigeria and 
Cameroon reaching 114,000 students. Our 
#DriveDry campaign in South Africa reached 
more than 40 million people. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Africa delivered 7% net sales growth, with 
growth across East Africa, Africa Regional 
Markets and South Africa partially offset 
by a decline in Nigeria. In East Africa and 
Africa Regional Markets net sales grew 
13%  and 8%, respectively, driven by 
growth across both beer and spirits. East 
Africa partially benefitted from lapping 
prior year weakness in the first half. Net 
sales grew 6% in South Africa driven by 
growth in spirits. Nigeria net sales declined 
by 7% driven by the continued tough 
economic and competitive environment in 
the lager segment. Across Africa, beer net 
sales were up 5% driven by double digit 
growth in Senator Keg, Serengeti Lite, and 
Malta Guinness, partially offset by declines 
in Satzenbrau. Spirits delivered strong 
net sales growth driven by mainstream 
spirits and scotch across all key markets 
as well as strong growth of Tanqueray in 
South Africa. Scotch net sales were up 
8% driven by Johnnie Walker, up 10%, 
partially as a result of a strong launch of 
“White Walker by Johnnie Walker” in South 
Africa. Operating margin improved by 
494bps driven by improved price/mix and 
the continued benefit from productivity 
initiatives more than offsetting 
cost inflation.

Key highlights

Markets:
Africa

East Africa
Africa Regional Markets(i)
Nigeria
South Africa(i)

Spirits
Beer
Ready to drink

Global giants and local stars(ii):
Guinness
Johnnie Walker
Smirnoff

Other beer:
Malta Guinness
Tusker
Senator
Serengeti

Organic 
volume
movement
%
1

Reported 
volume
movement
%
1

Organic  
net sales
movement
%
7

Reported  
net sales
movement
%
7

12
(3)
(10)
(2)

5
1
(3)

Organic 
volume
movement(iii)

%
(1)
4
–

8
(5)
21
40

11
3
(10)
(10)

5
1
(3)

13
8
(7)
6

13
5
4

18
9
(3)
(6)

10
8
2

Organic  
net sales
movement
%
2
10
12

Reported  
net sales
movement
%
3
9
9

15
1
22
46

13
6
28
49

(i) 

In the year ended 30 June 2019 the following countries, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, St Helena and 
Malawi, moved on a management basis from South Africa to Africa Regional Markets. This reallocation has been 
reflected in the organic reporting.
(ii)  Spirits brands excluding ready to drink. 
(iii)  Organic equals reported volume movement.

•  In East Africa, net sales grew by 13%. Kenya 

•  South Africa net sales returned to growth of 6% 

driven by strong spirits performance in Tanqueray, 
double digit growth in Smirnoff 1818 and Captain 
Morgan and the launch of “White Walker by 
Johnnie Walker”.

•  In Nigeria, net sales declined by 7% driven by 

Satzenbrau, as a result of a tough economic and 
competitive environment impacting the lager 
segment. Net sales grew in Malta Guinness, 
Guinness and spirits. 

continued to grow strongly driven by double 
digit growth in beer and mainstream spirits as 
well as partially benefitting from lapping prior 
year weakness in the first half as a result of the 
2017 presidential election. Tanzania continued to 
grow double digit. Beer net sales grew 13% led 
by continued strong growth in Serengeti Lite in 
Tanzania and double digit growth of Senator Keg in 
Kenya. Guinness net sales grew by 4%.

•  In Africa Regional Markets, net sales increased by 
8% with double digit growth in Ghana and Angola 
and a return to growth in Cameroon as it lapped 
prior year challenges in the distributor network. 
Beer grew 6% driven by strong performance in 
Malta Guinness. Scotch also returned to growth 
driven by net revenue management actions.

•  Marketing investment increased by 3% largely 
driven by up-weighted investment in Tusker 
marketing activities and media campaigns, 
the relaunch of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, 
an evolution of Guinness’ successful football 
campaign across Africa, led by Guinness brand 
ambassador Rio Ferdinand, and the continuation 
of Serengeti’s sponsorship of the Tanzanian 
national football team. 

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Business reviews: Africa 3536 

Latin America and Caribbean

In Latin America and Caribbean the 
strategic priority is to continue to 
lead in scotch, while broadening 
our category range through 
tequila, vodka, rum, liqueurs and 
local spirits. We continue to invest 
in routes to market and in the 
breadth and depth of our portfolio 
of leading brands. We are also 
enhancing our supply structure 
to enable the business to provide 
both the emerging middle class 
and an increasing number of 
affluent consumers with the 
premium brands they aspire to. 
Our presence is supported by 
our reputation as a trusted and 
respected business, based on our 
stance on responsible drinking, 
and community development 
programmes.

Our markets
Our Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) 
business comprises five markets: PUB 
(Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil), Mexico, CCA 
(Central America and Caribbean), Andean 
(Colombia and Venezuela) and PEBAC (Peru, 
Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile).

Supply operations
Many of the brands sold in the region 
are manufactured by our International 
Supply Centre in Europe, but we also own 
manufacturing facilities in Mexico that 
produce tequila, in Brazil that produce 
cachaça, and in Guatemala that produces 
Zacapa rum. We also work with a wide array 
of local co-packers, bottlers, and licensed 
brewers throughout Latin America and 
the Caribbean.

Net sales by markets (%)

Net sales by categories (%)

 PUB
 Mexico
 CCA

 Andean
 PEBAC 
 Other (principally Travel Retail)

 Spirits
 Beer

 Ready to drink
 Other

Key financials

Net sales
Marketing
Operating profit

2018
£ million
1,069
196
308

Exchange 
£ million
(29)
(7)
(2)

Acquisitions 
and disposals 
£ million
–
–
–

Organic 
movement 
£ million
90
12
59

2019
£ million
1,130
201
365

Reported
movement 
%
6
3
19

Route to consumer
We drive an efficient route to consumer 
through differentiated models tailored to 
each markets’ size and needs. In Mexico 
and Brazil our in-market companies sell to a 
wide network of retailers, wholesalers, and 
resellers which make our product available 
to shoppers in on and off premise outlets. In 
most of Central America and the Caribbean, 
Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela, 
we partner with geographically exclusive 
distributors who are in charge of the sales 
execution and marketing programmes. In 
Colombia, Peru, and Chile, we use hybrid 
models where Diageo sells directly to some 
key accounts while distributors are used to 
improve our products’ physical availability.

Sustainability and responsibility
Partnership is central to our work in LAC, as it 
enables us to increase our impact by working 
with a range of stakeholders in areas such 
as community empowerment, encouraging 
moderation and tackling alcohol-related 
harm. For example, through our partnership 
with the United Nations Institute for Training 
and Research (UNITAR), we have worked 
with law-enforcement and government 
agencies in the Dominican Republic and 
Mexico to address drink driving and road 
safety. We have also supported an industry-
wide initiative working with government 
to launch the use of breathalysers in the 
Dominican Republic. 

In Brazil, we have launched the Diageo 
Institute, a not-for-profit entity supported 
by Diageo and Ypióca Industrial. It aims 
to generate social impact in the state of 
Ceará through partnerships, and brings 
together our work on positive drinking, 
skills programmes and the environment. 
As well as our longstanding Learning for 
Life programme, the Diageo Institute will 
oversee two new programmes: ‘Weaving the 
Future’, which encourages carnauba straw 
craftsmanship; and ‘Real Talk’, an education 
programme addressing underage drinking.
We deliver local and global programmes 

in Spanish and Portuguese across our 
markets to meet the needs of our 
communities. ‘Fala Sério’, which is an 
adaptation of Diageo’s theatre-based 
education programme ‘Smashed’, reached 
more than 10,000 young people in Brazil 
and Colombia this year. ‘Teiquirisi Club’ 
helps educate children aged seven to ten in 
Mexico to avoid underage drinking, and has 
reached 2,000 children, teachers and parents. 
‘La Bomba’, launched this year in Peru, has 
reached 5,300 students and approximately 
400 parents.

We continue to drive environmental 
improvements. In PUB we have reduced 
carbon emissions by 82% versus the 
baseline. The energy for our new facilities in 
Jalisco, Mexico, will be predominantly from 
renewable sources. Finally, work continues to 
eliminate waste to landfill across the region, 
particularly in Mexico and PEBAC. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Latin America and Caribbean delivered 
9% growth in net sales with strong 
performance in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia 
and CCA. Net sales in Brazil grew 11% 
largely driven by gin, and partially 
benefitting from a one-off incentive 
related credit. Mexico grew 8% led by 
double digit growth in tequila. Colombia 
grew 19% largely driven by scotch. CCA 
benefitted from lapping the impact of last 
year’s hurricanes. Growth in the region 
was broad based across key categories. 
Scotch grew 7% with continued solid 
performance of Johnnie Walker and 
primary scotch growing 5% and 14% 
respectively. Buchanan’s was up 8% and 
Old Parr returned to growth as both 
brands benefitted from lapping last 
year’s tax changes in Colombia. Don Julio 
delivered double digit growth led by 
Mexico. Gin grew double digit driven by 
the strong growth of Tanqueray in Brazil. 
Operating margin for the region increased 
288bps benefitting from improved 
price/mix, productivity led efficiencies 
and a one-off tax benefit in other 
income in Brazil.

Key highlights

Markets:
Latin America and Caribbean

Organic 
volume
movement
%
1

Reported 
volume
movement
%
1

Organic  
net sales
movement
%
9

Reported  
net sales
movement
%
6

PUB
Mexico
CCA
Andean
PEBAC

Spirits
Beer
Ready to drink 

(1)
4
5
(16)
13

1
2
(4)

(1)
4
5
(15)
13

1
2
(4)

6
8
13
19
6

9
(4)
8

(3)
8
14
14
3

6
(7)
4

Global giants and local stars(i):
Johnnie Walker
Buchanan’s
Smirnoff
Old Parr
Baileys
Ypióca
Black & White

(i)  Spirits brands excluding ready to drink.
(ii)  Organic equals reported volume movement.

Organic 
volume
movement(ii)

%
3
5
11
5
3
(7)
8

Organic  
net sales
movement
%
5
8
19
3
17
(1)
5

Reported  
net sales
movement
%
3
7
10
1
13
(11)
–

•   In PUB (Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil), net sales grew 
6%. Brazil delivered 11% growth driven by strong 
growth in gin, and partially benefitting from a one-
off incentive related credit. Tanqueray drove the 
growth in gin supported by scaled up commercial 
activations in conjunction with media support. 
Scotch net sales grew 6% led by White Horse. Black 
& White declined as it was impacted by a state tax 
change in Brazil.

•  In Mexico, net sales increased 8%. Growth was broad 

based but led by Don Julio which continued to 
gain share in the tequila category, reflecting strong 
brand momentum and well-executed marketing 
campaigns and commercial platforms. Scotch 
grew 4% with Johnnie Walker up 7% and Black & 
White up 4% supported by an increased focus on 
brand availability through trade activations. Baileys 
grew strong double digit driven by distribution 
expansion, new brand communication focusing on 
Baileys’ indulgent treat positioning and the launch of 
new flavours.

•  In CCA (Caribbean and Central America), net sales 
increased 13% as it benefitted from lapping the 
impact of the hurricanes in the prior year. Growth 
was broad based but led by Johnnie Walker Black 
Label which grew double digit as it benefitted from 
greater visibility with the “Keep Walking” campaign. 
Smirnoff ready to drink grew 19% driven by 
innovations with Guarana and Green Apple flavours.

•  Andean (Colombia and Venezuela) net sales 

increased 19% driven by Colombia, which partially 
benefitted from lapping the impact of tax changes 
last year. Scotch delivered double digit net sales 
growth. Buchanan’s strong performance was 
supported by occasion driven consumer activations 
with local media campaigns. Black & White 
benefitted from route to consumer expansion and 
recruiting new consumers from local spirits and beer. 
Johnnie Walker grew double digit partially driven by 
the “White Walker by Johnnie Walker” innovation. 
Venezuela volume remained in decline as economic 
conditions continued to deteriorate.

•  PEBAC (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile) 
delivered 6% net sales growth, driven by Ecuador 
and Chile partially offset by Bolivia and Peru, 
which were impacted by tax changes. Growth 
was driven by scotch with a strong contribution 
from Johnnie Walker Red Label and “White Walker 
by Johnnie Walker”.

•  Marketing investment increased 6% driven by the 

key campaigns including Johnnie Walker “We are all 
Human”, Buchanan’s “Vivamos Grandes Momentos”, 
Old Parr “Cambia el Guión” and Tanqueray 
“Tanqueray Mixed Gin Bar”.

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Business reviews: Latin America and Caribbean 3738 

In Asia Pacific our focus is to grow 
in both developed and emerging 
markets across our entire portfolio 
ranging from international and 
local spirits to ready to drink 
formats and beer. We have a clear 
long-term strategy that enables 
us to allocate resources behind 
brands that win in key consumer 
occasions and categories. We 
manage our portfolio to meet the 
increasing demands of the growing 
middle class and aim to inspire 
our consumers to drink better, 
not more. This strategy ensures 
that we deliver consistent and 
efficient growth with a key focus on 
developing our premium and super 
deluxe segments across the region.

Our markets
Asia Pacific comprises India, Greater China 
(China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau), 
Australia (including New Zealand), South 
East Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, 
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, 
Laos, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka), North 
Asia (Korea and Japan) and Travel Retail Asia 
and Middle East.

Supply operations
We have distilleries at Chengdu, in China 
that produces Chinese white spirit (baijiu) 
and in Bundaberg, Australia that produce 
rum. United Spirits Limited (USL) operates 
16 owned manufacturing units in India. In 
addition, USL and Diageo brands are also 
produced under licence by third party 
manufacturers. We also have bottling plants 
in Korea, Thailand and Australia with ready to 
drink manufacturing capabilities.

Route to consumer
In South East Asia, spirits and beer are 
sold through a combination of Diageo 
companies, joint venture arrangements, 
and third party distributors. In Thailand, 
Malaysia and Singapore, we have joint 

Asia Pacific

Net sales by markets (%)

Net sales by categories (%)

 India
 Greater China
 Australia

 South East Asia
 North Asia
 Other (principally Travel Retail)

 Spirits
 Beer

 Ready to drink
 Other

Key financials

Net sales
Marketing
Operating profit before 
exceptional items
Exceptional operating items(i)
Operating profit

2018
£ million
2,503
388

Exchange 
£ million
(36)
(3)

Acquisitions 
and disposals 
£ million
(5)
–

Organic 
movement 
£ million
226
27

2019
£ million
2,688
412

Reported
movement 
%
7
6

568
–
568

(6)

(2)

143

703
(35)
668

24

18

(i)  For further details on exceptional operating items see pages 123 to 124.

venture arrangements with Moët Hennessy, 
sharing administrative and distribution costs. 
Diageo operates wholly owned subsidiaries 
in the Philippines and Vietnam. In addition, 
in Vietnam, we own a 45.57% equity stake 
in Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Company which 
manufactures and sells vodka. In Indonesia, 
Guinness is brewed by, and distributed 
through third party arrangements.

In Greater China our market presence 
is established through our 63.14% equity 
investment in Sichuan Shuijingfang 
Company Limited which manufactures 
and sells baijiu, and our wholly owned 
entity Diageo China Limited, selling Diageo 
brands, and a joint venture arrangement 
with Moët Hennessy where administrative 
and distribution costs are shared. Diageo 
operates a wholly owned subsidiary in 
Taiwan. In 2019, a newly created venture 
between Jiangsu Yanghe Distillery and 
Diageo in China has resulted in the creation 
of a new-to-world whisky, Zhong Shi Ji, 
which fuses the skills, craftsmanship and 
heritage of Chinese Baijiu and Scotch whisky 
master blenders.

In India, we manufacture, market and sell 
Indian whisky, rum, brandy and other spirits 
through our 54.78% shareholding in USL. 
Diageo also sells its own brands through USL. 
In Australia, we manufacture, market 
and sell Diageo products. In New Zealand 
we operate through third party distributors. 
In North Asia, we have our own distribution 
company in South Korea. In Japan, the 

majority of sales are through joint venture 
agreements with Moët Hennessy and Kirin. 
Airport shops and airline operators are 
serviced through a dedicated Diageo sales 
and marketing organisation. In the Middle 
East, we sell our products through third 
party distributors.

Sustainability and responsibility
Tackling drink driving and underage drinking 
are priorities. Our partnership with the 
United Nations Institute for Training and 
Research (UNITAR), has gathered experts, 
government officials, educators and business 
leaders to address road safety in Thailand, 
South Korea and the Philippines. In India, our 
‘Road to Safety’ programme has trained 7,228 
police officers and gathered over one million 
pledges against drink driving.

We are also working to embed human 

rights and empower communities. We 
continued programmes in India that 
combine providing safe drinking water 
with skills development and women’s 
empowerment, such as our new ‘water 
ATM’ programme, which trains women to 
maintain new water systems.

Our facilities in India have delivered 
our 2020 targets on carbon emissions and 
water use one year ahead of schedule and 
continue to identify new opportunities to 
minimise the impacts of climate change.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Asia Pacific delivered 9% growth in net 
sales with strong growth across the region 
except North Asia. Greater China grew 
19% driven by strong performance in both 
Chinese white spirits and scotch. Net sales 
in India grew 8% driven by IMFL whisky 
and scotch. Travel Retail Asia and Middle 
East grew 13% mostly from Johnnie Walker. 
South East Asia grew 8% driven by Johnnie 
Walker and Guinness. Scotch net sales 
were up 9% across the region led by strong 
performance in Johnnie Walker, which 
benefitted from the successful launch 
of the “White Walker by Johnnie Walker” 
innovation and scotch malts, which more 
than offset the net sales decline of Windsor 
in Korea. Gin grew double digit largely 
driven by strong growth in Australia. Net 
sales of Reserve brands were up 19% 
largely driven by Chinese white spirits 
and Johnnie Walker super deluxe variants. 
Operating margin increased 341bps driven 
by positive price/mix and productivity 
led savings.

Markets:
Asia Pacific

India
Greater China
Australia
South East Asia
North Asia
Travel Retail Asia and Middle East

Spirits
Beer
Ready to drink

Global giants and local stars(i):
Johnnie Walker
McDowell's
Windsor
Smirnoff
Guinness
Bundaberg
Shui Jing Fang(iii)

Organic  
volume
movement
%
5

Reported 
volume
movement
%
5

Organic  
net sales
movement
%
9

Reported  
net sales
movement
%
7

5
11
3
2
12
4

5
1
3

5
11
3
2
11
9

5
1
3

8
19
6
8
(2)
13

10
5
6

4
19
2
9
–
15

8
(2)
6

Organic  
volume
movement(ii)

%
6
7
(1)
(4)
1
(4)
16

Organic  
net sales
movement
%
11
9
(16)
2
5
(1)
23

Reported  
net sales
movement
%
13
5
(15)
1
(1)
(5)
22

(i)  Spirits brands excluding ready to drink.
(ii)  Organic equals reported volume movement except for Johnnie Walker 7% largely due to the reallocation of the 

results of Travel Retail.

(iii)  Organic growth figures represent total Chinese white spirits of which Shui Jing Fang is the principal brand. 

Organic growth adjusted to remove bulk sales reported in the prior comparable period. Reported volume was 
up 17%.

Key highlights

•  In India net sales increased 8% with growth from 
the “Prestige and Above” segment up 12%, led by 
double digit growth in scotch, driven by Johnnie 
Walker and Black & White. This was supported by 
solid performance from McDowell’s No.1 enhanced 
by the launch of its new Platinum range and good 
growth in Royal Challenge and Signature. Vodka net 
sales were up 5%, supported by Smirnoff consumer 
activation. Net sales in the popular brands segment 
increased 1%. 

•  Net sales in Australia grew 6%, driven by strong 

performance in the ready to drink and gin portfolio. 
Ready to drink net sales increased 7% fuelled by 
innovation geared towards more premium products 
such as Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin & Soda and 
Tanqueray & Tonic. Gin grew double digit as the 
fastest growing spirit in Australia supported by 
innovation from Gordon’s Pink and House of 
Tanqueray. Bundaberg net sales stabilised on the 
back of the “Unmistakably Ours” campaign. 

•  In Greater China net sales increased 19%, with 

•  In South East Asia, net sales increased 8% driven 

double digit growth in both Chinese white spirits 
and scotch. Chinese white spirits grew 23% partly 
driven by route to consumer expansion. Scotch 
net sales increased 13% with continued growth in 
scotch malts and Johnnie Walker super deluxe in 
mainland China and a return to growth from Johnnie 
Walker in Taiwan. 

by growth across all key countries except Thailand. 
Scotch was the main growth driver with net sales 
growth of 6%, led by “White Walker by Johnnie 
Walker” and Johnnie Walker super deluxe. Guinness 
grew 11% driven by solid performance in Indonesia 
supported by focus on modern on-trade recruitment 
and by route to consumer expansion of Guinness 
Draught in Singapore. 

•  In North Asia, net sales declined 2% with growth 
in Japan being offset by continued weakness in 
Korea. In Korea net sales declined 9% due to a 
continued weak Windsor performance, as a result 
of the contraction of the scotch category. Japan net 
sales grew 10% driven by primary scotch, Johnnie 
Walker and the successful relaunch of the Guinness 
Draught in Can. 

•  Travel Retail Asia and Middle East net sales grew 

13% driven by successful launches within the 
Johnnie Walker portfolio, including “White Walker 
by Johnnie Walker” and Johnnie Walker Blue Label 
innovation. 

•  Marketing investment increased 7% driven by 
increased investment in Chinese white spirits, 
Johnnie Walker and scotch malts in Greater 
China and a new culture leading campaign 
“#ChallengeAccepted” for Royal Challenge in India.

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Business reviews: Asia Pacific 3940 

• Scotch represents 25% of Diageo’s 
net sales and was up 6% with broad 
based growth across all regions except 
Europe. Scotch growth was driven by 
Johnnie Walker, which delivered a strong 
performance with net sales up 7%, 
benefitting from the successful launch of 
“White Walker by Johnnie Walker” inspired 
by the TV series Game of Thrones. Primary 
scotch brands grew 9% largely driven by 
Black & White in Asia Pacific and White 
Horse in Latin America and Caribbean 
and Asia Pacific. Buchanan’s grew 8% in 
Latin America and Caribbean and 4% in 
North America. Scotch malts were up 12% 
with growth coming from Asia Pacific, 
North America and Europe benefitting 
from the launch of the “Game of Thrones 
Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection”. Old 
Parr returned to growth this year, as the 
brand lapped tax changes in Colombia. 
JεB continued to be under pressure in 
Europe led by the challenged scotch 
category in Iberia. Scotch continued 
to decline in Korea driven by declines 
in Windsor. 

• Vodka represents 11% of Diageo’s net 
sales and returned to growth with net 
sales up 2% and growth across all the 
regions except Europe. Vodka growth 
was driven by Smirnoff and Ketel One 
partially offset by a decline in Cîroc vodka. 
Overall, Smirnoff grew 3%, with net sales 
up 2% in US Spirits and 4% outside of 
the US, where performance was largely 
driven by double digit growth in Brazil 
and South Africa. Ketel One grew net 
sales by 10%, with US Spirits being the 
largest contributor to growth, benefitting 
from the success of Ketel One Botanical. 
The decline in Cîroc vodka was driven by 
US Spirits. 

• US whiskey represents 2% of Diageo’s 
net sales and grew 4%. Performance 
continued to be driven by good growth 
in Bulleit in US Spirits.

• Canadian whisky represents 7% of 
Diageo’s net sales and grew 6%. Solid 
growth of Crown Royal in US Spirits 
was driven by strengthened marketing 
investment fuelling the growth of Crown 
Royal Regal Apple and by the Crown 
Royal Peach limited time offer. The brand 
also grew share within its category. 

• Rum represents 6% of Diageo’s net sales 

and declined 2% largely driven by Captain 
Morgan decline in US Spirits, in a category 
that is also in decline. 

Category review

Volume (%)

Net sales (%)

Marketing spend (%)

 Scotch
 Vodka
 US whiskey

 Canadian 
whisky
 Rum

 Indian-Made 
Foreign 
Liquor 
(IMFL) 
whisky

 Liqueurs
 Gin

 Tequila
 Beer

 Ready to 
drink

 Other

Key categories

Organic volume

movement(iii)

Spirits(i)
  Scotch
  Vodka(ii)(iv)
  US whiskey
  Canadian whisky
  Rum(ii)
  Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) whisky
  Liqueurs
  Gin(ii)
  Tequila
Beer
Ready to drink

%
3
2
2
2
6
(3)
6
1
17
19
1
7

Organic net sales 
movement
%
7
6
2
4
6
(2)
8
4
22
29
3
12

Reported net sales 
movement
%
6
6
4
9
8
(3)
3
4
23
37
4
12

(i)  Spirits brands excluding ready to drink.
(ii)  Vodka, rum, gin including IMFL brands. 
(iii) Organic equals reported volume movement except for Canadian whisky 5%, gin 16%, and tequila 21%, which were 

impacted by acquisitions and disposals.

(iv) Vodka includes Ketel One Botanical.

• IMFL whisky represents 5% of 

• Beer represents 16% of Diageo’s net sales 

and grew 3%. In Africa beer grew 5%, 
largely driven by Senator Keg in Kenya 
and Serengeti Lite in Tanzania partially 
offset by decline in Satzenbrau in Nigeria. 
Guinness grew 2% with growth largely 
driven by Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, 
as well as Guinness Draught and the 
continued growth of Hop House 13 Lager 
in Europe. In Ireland lager net sales grew 
4% driven by strong growth in Rockshore. 

• Ready to drink represents 6% of 

Diageo’s net sales and grew 12% primarily 
driven by North America and Europe. 

• Global giants represent 41% of Diageo’s 
net sales and grew 5%. Growth was broad 
based across all brands with the exception 
of Captain Morgan. Captain Morgan was 
down 2%, driven by a 5% decline in US 
Spirits in a category that is also in decline.

Diageo’s net sales and grew 8% driven 
by the strong performance of the 
McDowell’s trademark, Signature and 
Royal Challenge.

• Liqueurs represent 5% of Diageo’s net 
sales and grew 4% with growth in all 
regions. Baileys was up 4% led by Europe, 
US Spirits and Mexico, with performance 
driven by continued focus on reminding 
consumers of Baileys’ indulgent treat year-
round positioning. 

• Gin represents 4% of Diageo’s net sales 
and grew 22% with double digit growth 
across all regions except North America. 
Strong growth in gin continued with 
Tanqueray and Gordon’s growing double 
digit with both Gordon’s and Tanqueray 
benefitting from strong growth across 
their core and innovation variants. 
We continued to gain share in the gin 
category in Western Europe. 

• Tequila represents 4% of Diageo’s net 
sales and grew 29%. The performance 
was driven by strong double digit 
growth of Don Julio in US Spirits and 
Latin America and Caribbean as well as 
Casamigos in US Spirits. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019• Local stars represent 20% of Diageo’s 
net sales and grew 6%, largely driven by 
strong growth of Chinese white spirits, 
Crown Royal in US Spirits, McDowell’s No. 1 
in India, Buchanan’s in Latin America and 
Caribbean and Black & White in Asia Pacific. 
This was partially offset by declines of 
Windsor in Korea and JεB in Iberia. 

• Reserve brands represent 19% of 

Diageo’s net sales and grew 11% largely 
driven by double digit growth of Don 
Julio in US Spirits and Mexico, Chinese 
white spirits and Casamigos in US Spirits 
partially offset by declines in Cîroc. Net 
sales of Johnnie Walker reserve variants 
were up 7%. 

Global giants, local stars  
and reserve(i):

Organic volume
movement(ii)
%

Organic net sales
movement
%

Reported net sales
movement 
%

Global giants
  Johnnie Walker 
  Smirnoff
  Baileys
  Captain Morgan
  Tanqueray
  Guinness
Local stars
  Crown Royal
  Yenì Raki
  Buchanan’s
  JεB
  Windsor
  Old Parr
  Bundaberg 
  Black & White
  Ypióca
  McDowell's
  Shui Jing Fang(iii)
Reserve
  Scotch malts
  Cîroc vodka
  Ketel One(iv)
  Don Julio
  Bulleit

2
–
–
(1)
17
–

6
(19)
6
(10)
(1)
4
(4)
10
(7)
7
16

7
(8)
9
15
9

7
3
4
(2)
19
2

6
6
6
(8)
(16)
3
(1)
14
(1)
8
22

12
(8)
10
26
7

7
5
5
1
21
2

10
(24)
8
(9)
(15)
1
(5)
9
(12)
4
22

12
(5)
15
30
12

(i)  Spirits brands excluding ready to drink. 
(ii)  Organic equals reported volume movement except for Johnnie Walker 3%.
(iii)  Organic growth figures represent total Chinese white spirits of which Shui Jing Fang is the principal brand. Organic growth adjusted 

to remove bulk sales reported in the comparable period last year. Reported volume was up 17%.

(iv)  Ketel One includes Ketel One vodka and Ketel One Botanical.

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Business reviews: Category review 4142

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Sustainability & Responsibility review
Our role in society

We are proud to be the stewards of some of the most iconic brands in the world, built 
over generations by people who understood the importance of creating value for the 
long term, not just the present. We too have a responsibility to think about the future 
– and we are determined to build a business that continues to make a positive impact 
on the issues that matter most to our stakeholders and to wider society.

How we are contributing to the UN 
Sustainable Development Goals

Promoting positive drinking – page 45
Building thriving communities – page 48
Reducing our environmental 
impact – page 52 
Our people – page 58

Diageo’s purpose is to celebrate life every day, 
everywhere. We are proud that bringing 
people together to enjoy our brands creates 
value for millions of people around the world. 
Our commercial success depends on us 
creating a positive impact on society, 
wherever we live, work, source and sell.

Our ambition is to be among the best 
performing, most trusted and respected 
consumer product companies in the world. 
This requires us to harness our entire business, 
including our brands and our 28,400 diverse 
and talented employees, to ensure we 
promote inclusive growth and support the 
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

This long-term approach to environmental, 

social and corporate governance issues 
reflects the values of our founders and the 
people who make Diageo thrive today. It also 
makes our business stronger. By deepening 
our brands’ relationships with consumers, 
earning the trust of stakeholders, attracting 

and empowering the best and most diverse 
talent, boosting our resilience and 
productivity and mitigating risk, our 
Sustainability & Responsibility (S&R) Strategy 
will ensure our business creates value for 
generations to come. 

A responsibility – and an opportunity – 
to build our business sustainably
We take a holistic approach to S&R, building 
on our brands’ connections with consumers, 
leading the way in promoting positive 
drinking and attracting, empowering and 
retaining the best talent. We must ensure 

Doing business with integrity and winning 
trust require a robust and transparent 
approach to governance and ethics. Our 
rigorous global risk and compliance 
framework is set out on pages 20-21.

Sustainability & Responsibility review

43

We are also developing our ambition and 
objectives beyond 2020, including our role in 
supporting the delivery of the UN SDGs. Our 
new commitments will reflect our increasing 
understanding of our risks and opportunities, 
including those highlighted by our work on 
implementing the recommendations of the 
Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD), discussed further 
on pages 21 and 56.

“We are pleased to see Diageo’s focus 
on making a positive contribution to 
society. Businesses will play a vital 
role in creating the better, fairer 
world envisioned by the Sustainable 
Development Goals. And it makes 
business sense – because the only 
way companies will thrive in the long 
term is by making a positive impact 
across their value chains.”

Steve Kenzie 
Executive Director, UN Global 
Compact Network UK

that our operations and networks meet the 
highest social and environmental standards 
and that they contribute to inclusion, diversity 
and the promotion of human rights. 

The relationships we have throughout our 
value chain are also critical. We connect with 
millions of people – with the farmers who 
grow our raw materials, with our many 
suppliers and contractors, and with the 
retailers and distributors who link us to our 
consumers. Our approach aims to ensure all 
these relationships create value and promote 
sustainable growth.

Ambitious targets driving progress
In 2015 we set targets for 2020 across each 
pillar of our S&R Strategy and we have since 
set additional targets for renewable electricity 
and plastic packaging. We believe they are 
among the most ambitious and stretching 
in our industry. We were an early adopter of 
absolute, rather than relative, reductions in 
our environmental impact, in line with the 
principles of the Science Based Targets 
initiative. Our targets for supporting 
communities, encouraging moderation and 
reducing alcohol-related harm, and improving 
health and safety have helped to drive positive 
impacts for millions of people within and 
beyond our business.

In many areas we have made rapid 
progress – but we are not complacent. We 
achieved our 2020 targets to promote positive 
drinking ahead of schedule. So last year we 
launched a more ambitious strategy that will 
reach millions more people with our core aims 
of promoting moderation and reducing 
alcohol misuse.

By focusing on inclusion and diversity we 
reached our 2020 target of having 30% of 
leadership positions held by women in 2017. 
We then stretched the target to 35% − a figure 
we exceeded this year. Similarly, in 2018 we 
achieved our health and safety target of one 
lost-time accident (LTA) per 1,000 employees 
and no work-related fatalities two years early. 
So this year we started developing an 
expanded global strategy with further 
stretching targets to help drive our safety 
performance towards our ultimate aim of zero 
harm. Our environmental programmes have 
achieved a cumulative reduction of 44.7% in 
our greenhouse gas emissions, improved our 
water efficiency by 43.8%, and made 98.7% of 
our packaging recyclable.

We know we face challenges in some 
areas. We need to work more with partners 
to improve recycling infrastructure if we are 
to meet all our ambitious packaging targets. 
We have also made slower progress than we 
expected on our target to improve our 
wastewater performance. While we meet all 
regulatory requirements for wastewater at our 
sites, we need to embrace new technologies 
and solutions to reach the next level.

Overall, we are making good progress 
across our S&R Strategy. We report against 
each of our targets in the following pages, 
with supporting data and commentary in our 
Sustainability & Responsibility Performance 
Addendum and our submissions to CDP 
(formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure 
Project) on climate change and water.

OUR AMBITION IS TO CREATE  SHARED VALUE...

Where we:

Live

Work

Source

SellSell

With our:

Company
Working with employees, 
partners and suppliers

Communities
Acting as a corporate citizen and 
supporting community development

Consumers
Increasing our positive impact through 
brand partnerships

In what matters most:

Promoting positive
drinking

Championing
inclusion and
diversity

Pioneering
grain-to-glass 
sustainability

For our:

Business

Communities

Partners

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT44

Highlights of 2019

The value we create goes far beyond our brands. We are proud of the work we have done 
this year to strengthen communities and encourage sustainable growth, to build our 
inclusive and diverse culture, and to act as good stewards of the environment.

12th

in the Gartner  
Supply Chain  
Index 

232,000+ 

people gained access to safe water, 
sanitation and hygiene in Africa and India 
through our Water of Life programme 

Ranked in the  
Dow Jones 
Sustainability 
World Index 

4th

in the Thomson Reuters Global 
Diversity and Inclusion Index

6.0%

improvement in water 
efficiency, as part of a 43.8% 
improvement since 2007

Signatory  
to the United 
Nations Global 
Compact

Awarded Double A status by  
CDP for our carbon and water 
performance, putting us in the  
top 1% of global companies

36%

of our senior 
managers are 
women, up from 
26% in 2015

66.02m

people reached 
with moderation 
messages from 
our brands 

£12.6m

invested in community  
initiatives in 35 countries

5.9% 

reduction in carbon 
emissions from our direct 
operations, as part of a 
44.7% improvement 
since 2007

Leading FTSE 100 company  
for the representation of women  
on boards, as recognised by the 
Cranfield School of Management

A constituent of the 
FTSE4GOOD 
index

10,300

people benefited from 
skills and empowerment 
programmes

82%

of our agricultural raw materials 
used in our African markets are 
sourced from within Africa

72,000

smallholder farmers in Africa 
who supply our brands are 
supported by our sourcing 
programmes

632,000

young people, parents and teachers 
educated about the dangers of 
underage drinking

Named as 
Britain’s Most 
Admired Company 
by Management Today

16.88m

pledges to never drink and drive 
collected through #JointhePact 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Sustainability & Responsibility review

45

Promoting positive drinking

Our brands have been part of people’s celebrations for generations. We make them with 
pride, and we want them to be enjoyed responsibly. That means our goal is for people to 
drink better, not more – an approach that both supports our social values, and aligns with 
our commercial interests as a business making premium drinks. We are committed to 
promoting moderation, tackling misuse, and improving laws and standards, while 
respecting the fact that many people choose not to drink alcohol at all.

I

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
C
R
E
P
O
R
T

Our work contributes to the following 
UN Sustainable Development Goals:

We are proud of the heritage, authenticity 
and taste of our brands. We are also proud 
that millions of people around the world enjoy 
our brands responsibly as part of a balanced 
lifestyle. At the same time we know that 
harmful drinking causes significant issues for 
individuals and for society. Everyone at Diageo 
recognises the importance of promoting 
positive drinking, encouraging moderation 
and tackling the misuse of alcohol. If we do 
not, we damage our reputation and make it 
harder to create value. That is why we focus 
on quality, while also promoting moderation. 
We want people to ‘drink better, not more’, 
which makes commercial sense as consumers 
choose to trade up to higher-quality, 
better-tasting drinks.

Promoting moderation, reducing 
harm and improving standards
We have long supported the World Health 
Organization’s (WHO) goal of reducing harmful 
drinking by 10% across the world by 2025. We 
work with partners from within and beyond 
our industry on initiatives that advance that 
goal. We have also taken a clear stand on key 
issues – we were the first to put nutritional 
information and alcohol content onto our 
labels – while supporting a range of 
programmes around the world that aim 
to reduce harm and change behaviour. 

Globally, we have focused our efforts on 
three core pillars – promoting moderation, 
campaigning to reduce harmful drinking, and 
improving laws and industry standards – and 
we have set ourselves stretching targets to 
reach by 2025.

“The private sector is a key partner 
in implementing measures that 
improve road safety. The United 
Nations Institute for Training and 
Research (UNITAR) and Diageo 
joined forces to launch a capacity-
building initiative with a special 
focus on countries with the highest 
death rates related to road traffic. 
Between 2017 and 2018, the initiative 
reached 1,896 officials from 
national and local governments 
from 38 countries, as well as 
representatives from the private 
sector, academia and NGOs.”

Nikhil Seth 
United Nations Assistant Secretary-
General and Executive Director, 
UNITAR

 
46

Our targets for 2025

EDUCATE

5m

young people, parents 
and teachers about the dangers 
of underage drinking

632,000

COLLECT

50m 

REACH
200m 

pledges never to drink and drive 
through #JoinThePact

people with moderation messages 
from our brands

PROGRESS TO DATE
16.88m

66.02m

PILLAR 3 
Improving laws and  
industry standards

We comply with all laws and 
regulations wherever we operate, 
as a minimum requirement. We 
advocate sensible new regulation 
based on evidence, including legal 
purchase age laws and blood-
alcohol volume driving limits in 
countries where these do not exist.

Support for the global focus on 
reducing the harmful use of alcohol
Our Chief Executive is Chairman of the 
CEO group at the International Alliance 
for Responsible Drinking (IARD).

As an IARD member, we are 
committed to delivering positive 
change, and we are fully aligned 
with the whole-of-society approach 
to addressing non-communicable 
diseases (NCDs), as outlined in 
the 2018 UN Political Declaration 
on NCDs.

HOW WE WILL ACHIEVE OUR TARGETS

PILLAR 1 
Promoting 
moderation

PILLAR 2 
Campaigning to reduce 
harmful drinking

For most people who drink 
alcohol, drinking responsibly 
is common sense. We want to 
reinforce that understanding of 
moderation in everything we do.

Brand action
We are using our brands to carry a 
strong moderation message and 
combat heavy episodic drinking  
(see spotlight on page 47).

Providing information to consumers
DRINKiQ.com, our dedicated 
responsible drinking website, is 
available in 25 languages and 38 
countries. It gives consumers access 
to a wide range of training and 
resources on the effects of drinking.

Labels and packaging also help us 
reach consumers, and our Diageo 
Consumer Information Standards 
provide benchmarks for the 
mandatory minimum information to 
be included on labels and packaging 
on all our brands, wherever they are 
legally permitted.

We focus resources on global programmes that 
address our priorities for reducing harmful 
drinking in line with the WHO’s goal.

Preventing drink driving
Our global #JoinThePact programme aims to 
encourage 50 million people to never drink and 
drive through signing a global pact. 

Partnerships with police, local authorities and other 
agencies support enforcement, provide education 
for drivers and law enforcers, and support safe rides 
and public transportation.

A new three-year partnership with UNITAR focuses 
on high-visibility enforcement in Latin America, Asia 
and Africa, all identified as high-risk regions.

Addressing underage drinking
Our flagship theatre-based ‘Smashed’ education 
programme informs young people about the dangers 
of underage drinking. 

Our ‘Ask, Listen, and Learn’ programme in the 
Caribbean, developed and delivered by the 
Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility 
(FAAR), has been introduced to over 20,000 schools.

Our underage programmes have reached more than 
632,000 people in the last two years across 20 countries.

Tackling heavy episodic (or binge) drinking 
Brand campaigns and night-time economy city 
demonstration pilots work with a coalition of partners 
to reduce alcohol-related problems in entertainment 
districts. We adopted this approach in Toronto, Dublin 
and Cancún in 2019.

Industry collaboration
We worked with our peers to implement the Global 
Beer, Wine and Spirits Producers’ Commitments to 
reduce harmful drinking from 2013. A final progress 
report was issued in September 2018 and can be 
found at www.producerscommitments.org.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
Sustainability & Responsibility review

47

on families and children. The panel noted 
that Diageo did not make a specific 
marketing decision to target the broadcast 
of the Pageant, but upheld the complaint 
with the advice that Diageo should take 
more care in ensuring the ABAC placement 
rules are satisfied. We have since worked 
with all free-to-air broadcast partners to 
implement further content categorisation, 
and the broadcasters have created a new 
‘family’ category of content.

Responsible marketing 
The Diageo Marketing Code (DMC) and 
Digital Code are our mandatory minimum 
standards for responsible marketing, and we 
review them every two years to ensure they 
represent best practice. We published an 
updated DMC in July 2019, shortly after 
the financial year 2019 covered by this 
Annual Report. 

The DMC supports our approach to 

innovative marketing and the entrepreneurial 
spirit of our marketers, while at the same time 
ensuring we stay true to our core values and 
market responsibly. At the heart of the DMC is 
our commitment to ensuring all our activities 
depict and encourage only responsible and 
moderate drinking, and never target those 
who are younger than the legal purchase age 
for alcohol. 

Across many of our markets, advertising 
monitoring and industry bodies publicly 
report breaches of self-regulatory alcohol 
marketing codes. We report these in our 
Annual Report.

This year, a complaint was upheld by 

Australia’s ABAC Responsible Alcohol 
Marketing Scheme about an advertisement 
for Johnnie Walker on the digital TV channel 
9Now in November 2018.

The advert appeared during a programme 
showing the Adelaide Christmas Pageant, and 
the grounds of the complaint were that this 
was a children’s programme. While data on 
viewing of the programme in previous years 
showed that it was reasonable to expect 75% 
or more of viewers to be over 18, the ABAC 
adjudication panel reviewed the programme 
and concluded that it was primarily focused 

Complaints about advertising upheld by industry bodies that report publicly(i)

Country
Australia
Ireland
United Kingdom

United States

Body
ABAC Scheme
Advertising Standards Authority – for Ireland (ASAI)
The Portman Group
Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS)

(i)  From 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

Industry 
complaints 
upheld
16
1
11
4
1

Complaints 
upheld about 
Diageo brands
1
0
0
0
0

SPOTLIGHT

Sometimes less is more: 
Guinness Clear

Made to a time-honoured recipe, 100% 
H2O, and available from all good taps, 
nationwide: Guinness Clear. 

Our Guinness Clear initiative took a 
fresh approach to an important issue 
– raising awareness of the effects alcohol 
has on the body and encouraging 
moderate drinking. It brought together 
some of the most famous names in 
sport to highlight the importance of 
staying hydrated and in control – and it 
was a core pillar of one of our biggest 
and most exciting campaigns of 2019.

As title sponsor of the Guinness Six 

Nations Rugby Championship, and 
Official Sponsor of the Women’s Six 
Nations Championship, we knew we 
had a platform to reach the millions of 
people engaged by Europe’s premier 
international rugby tournaments. 

We used a significant proportion of our 
marketing investment to encourage adult 
fans to drink responsibly. Launched with a 
30-second television ad that went on to win 
a Gold award at the Cannes Lions festival, 
Guinness Clear had a prominent presence at 
stadiums, including through teams giving 
water to fans. It reached over 21 million 
people in the UK and Ireland.

The campaign was a perfect example of 
our approach. Put simply, we do not see 
marketing campaigns and responsible 
drinking campaigns as two separate 
channels. We invest significant time and 
money in training our marketers so that 
all our campaigns deliver responsible 
drinking messages – because we believe it 
is both socially and commercially essential 
for consumers to ‘drink better, not more’.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT48

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Building thriving communities

Supporting the communities where we live, work, source and sell allows us to strengthen 
our business while increasing our positive social impact. We aim to promote inclusive 
growth by embedding and advancing human rights throughout our business, fostering 
sustainable and inclusive value chains, and delivering programmes that enhance skills 
and opportunities and empower women.

Our work contributes to the following 
UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Our principles 
We do not tolerate discrimination, 
harassment, bullying or abuse; we comply 
with wage and working time laws; we 
respect our employees’ decisions to join 
or not join a trade union; and we do not 
tolerate forced labour. Our Modern Slavery 
Statement describes our activities to 
prevent slavery and human trafficking in 
our business operations and supply chain 
in line with the UK Modern Slavery Act 
2015 and the California Transparency in 
Supply Chains Act 2010. The statement 
and further details of our policies are 
available on www.diageo.com. 

Respecting human rights throughout  
our business
Diageo is built on long-term relationships 
of trust and shared value, underpinned by 
respect for human rights. We aim to embed 
respect for human rights into the way we 
do business in every country and function. 
We have a well-developed policy framework 
that addresses human rights and our 
commitment to integrity, and this year we 
refreshed the human rights elements of our 
Code of Business Conduct, which we will 
launch next financial year. 

Respect for human rights also informs the 
core principles of our supplier code, Partnering 
with Suppliers. Our commitments apply 
throughout our entire value chain – we will 
not work with anyone who does not align 
with these standards.

We have been signatories to the UN 
Guiding Principles on Business and Human 
Rights (UNGP) since 2014. We continue to 
embed human rights in line with the UNGP, 
using our comprehensive human rights 
impact assessment (HRIA) process, which 

considers our entire value chain. Based on 
localised risk assessments, we develop 
mitigation plans for addressing specific 
human rights risks in order to strengthen our 
processes and prevent risks arising.

We have identified three external risks as 

particularly salient to our business: labour 
rights, including the risk of child labour, 
especially in agricultural supply networks; 
labour standards for contract workers; and 
sexual harassment in the hospitality sector. 
We have responded to these risks in 

a number of ways, such as awareness 
programmes focused on child protection. 
As part of this work, in 2018, we developed 
and rolled out training for a variety of internal 
and external stakeholders including, in some 
countries, selected suppliers and aggregators. 
This year, we commissioned an independent 
study into contracted labour, which we will 
use to develop key mitigation strategies for 
next year and beyond. We also developed new 
standards and training aimed at protecting 
brand promotion teams from harassment. 

Sustainability & Responsibility review

49

“Through the roll-out of 
comprehensive human rights 
assessments across its value chain 
worldwide, Diageo is able to address 
its human rights impacts and identify 
where it can further promote the 
advancement of human rights in the 
industry. As we work with companies 
to embed human rights as part of 
their business strategy, we see 
opportunities for companies to 
support systematic respect for 
human rights in the communities 
in which they operate.”

Aron Cramer 
President and CEO, BSR (Business for 
Social Responsibility)

TARGET
Act in accordance with the UN Guiding 
Principles on Business and Human Rights.

KPI
Number of markets in which we have carried 
out human rights impact assessments (HRIAs).

PROGRESS
We aim to conduct HRIAs in all markets by 
2020. This year, we finalised HRIAs in South 
Africa and Nigeria, bringing our total since 
2015 to 14. Both markets have developed 
action plans to address specific salient risks. 
The findings of our HRIAs since 2015 have 
informed the work to address these risks 
described on page 48.

Creating impact in our supply chains 
We rely on resilient, thriving supply chains 
for the raw materials in our brands. 
Collaborating with our suppliers also 
provides a vital opportunity for us to 
contribute to sustainable development and 
the UN SDGs. We aim to build our suppliers’ 
capabilities while advancing respect for 
human rights, so they can be our partners 
in providing responsibly-sourced goods 
and services, and to source locally 
where appropriate.

Our Partnering with Suppliers standard 

sets out the minimum social, ethical and 
environmental standards we require 
suppliers to follow as part of their contract 
with us, and sets targets for our long-term 
partners to improve. 

We also work through SEDEX, a not-for-profit 
organisation that allows suppliers to share 
assessments and audits of ethical and 
responsible practices with multiple customers, 
and AIM-PROGRESS, a forum of leading 
consumer goods companies which promotes 
responsible sourcing and sustainable supply 
chains. These platforms allow us to work with 
suppliers to create action plans that address 
areas for improvement. 

TARGET
Deliver our responsible sourcing 
commitments with suppliers to improve 
labour standards and human rights in our 
supply chains. 

KPI
% of potential high-risk supplier sites audited.

PROGRESS
This year, 1,260 of our supplier sites assessed 
as a potential risk completed a SEDEX 
self-assessment. Of these, 413 were assessed as 
a potential high risk, with 89% independently 
audited over the past three years. Of these 
audits, we commissioned 224 and 143 came 
through SEDEX or AIM-PROGRESS mutual 
recognition audits. 146 of these audits were 
conducted in the past year.

Focus on sustainable agriculture
We have a Building Sustainable Supply Chains 
strategy supported by our Sustainable 
Agriculture Guidelines (SAG). These set out the 
agriculture-specific standards we expect of 
suppliers of raw materials, and how suppliers 
should work towards sustainable farming. 
These include treating farmers and workers 
fairly, reducing negative environmental 
impacts while protecting natural resources, 
and supporting wider economic benefits for 
farming communities. Both documents are 
published on www.diageo.com.

Wherever we work, we aim to promote 
sustainable agricultural practices that meet 
our standards, while avoiding process 
duplication for our suppliers.

Driving progress through Farm 
Sustainability Assessments
We use the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative 
(SAI) Platform’s Farm Sustainability 
Assessment (FSA) tool. In 2018 we set the 
minimum compliance level to meet our 
SAG requirements as FSA Bronze – a level 
which must be verified through third-party 
assurance, either directly, or using a 
benchmarked standard.

More than 80 global, regional, company or 
crop-specific standards have now been 
benchmarked against the FSA, so suppliers that 
already comply with an equivalent scheme can 
demonstrate that they meet our requirements. 
We hold ourselves to the same standards. 

This year, for example, our agricultural team 
in Mexico assessed our own practices against 
FSA. After implementing an action plan 
to address gaps, our practices were 
independently verified as 100% FSA Gold, 
and Don Julio Agavera has been issued with 
an FSA Gold attestation.

Partnering with farmers
We also work directly with suppliers at farm 
level to help them meet our standards. This 
year in Turkey, for example, we began a project 
intended to help small-scale aniseed farmers 
build their climate resilience and improve their 
livelihoods, including through providing inputs 
and commissioning research into the best 
seeds to improve yields. In Africa, where our 
longstanding connection with farmers has 
resulted in some of our most developed 
programmes, we continued to support groups 
of smallholder farmers through a selection of 
training, access to seeds and fertilisers, access to 
capital through micro-loans, and engagement 
with NGOs and other stakeholders to build 
financial resilience. 

TARGET
Source 80% of our agricultural raw materials 
locally in Africa by 2020.

KPI
% of agricultural raw materials sourced locally 
in Africa.

PROGRESS
We sourced 82% of agricultural materials locally 
within Africa for use by our African markets, 
compared with 78% last year. We support this 
target through a range of farmer capacity-
building programmes, described above.

TARGET
Establish partnerships with farmers to 
develop sustainable agricultural supplies of 
key raw materials.

KPI
Number of smallholder farmers supported.

PROGRESS
We support more than 72,000 farmers in 
Africa. We buy from a further 39,000 farmers. 
Our work with farmers is described in 
‘Partnering with farmers’, above.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT50

Global raw materials(i) by volume 
(Total – 1.5 million tonnes)

  Barley(ii) 
Wheat 
Maize 
Molasses 
Sorghum 
Sugar 

38%
13%
12%
9%
7%
6%

  Agave 
Grapes 
Rice 
Raisins 
Dairy 
Rye 

5%
5%
2%
1%
1%
1%

(i)  Figures represent raw materials we buy directly, 

and exclude raw materials used to make the neutral
spirit we purchase. Other global raw materials    
(including aniseed, cassava and hops) are less than
0.5% of the total.
(ii)  Includes malted barley.

Empowering communities where we live, 
work, source and sell 
Our distilleries and breweries are at the heart 
of their communities. Through our full value 
chain, from grain to glass, we are connected to 
many more. We are committed to programmes 
that support the communities around us 
while at the same time strengthening the 
commercial aims and sustainability ambitions 
of our core business. This year Diageo invested 
£12.6 million or 0.3% (2018 – 0.3%) of operating 
profit in community initiatives. 

“We all have a role to play in 
creating a fairer, more sustainable 
world, and businesses are crucial 
in bringing about change on a 
global scale, benefiting people, 
planet and profit. Diageo has 
successfully developed a model 
that allows them to create a 
thriving business while also 
helping improve access to clean 
water, decent toilets and good 
hygiene across the world.”

Tim Wainwright 
Chief Executive,  
WaterAid UK

TARGET
Our community programmes enable those 
who live and work in our communities, 
particularly women, to have the skills and  
resources to build a better future for 
themselves. We will evaluate and report on 
the tangible impacts of our programmes.

KPI
Number of women empowered by 
our programmes.

PROGRESS 

Women’s empowerment is a priority 
everywhere we work. We know that every 
value chain contains barriers to women’s 
equal participation, and that removing these 
barriers is essential to unlocking the wider 
economic growth on which a business like 
ours depends. 

As well as aiming to build a truly inclusive 

and diverse business (see Our People on 
pages 58-59), our programmes aim to address 
the root causes of inequality through a 
combination of research, community 
programmes and advocacy. We are working 
in a global partnership for women’s 
empowerment with the NGO CARE 
International UK.

To date, our programmes have 
empowered around 400,000 women 
with access to training and skills.

KPI
Number of people reached through skills 
and empowerment programmes.

PROGRESS

Skills development programmes help 
people in communities around the world 
overcome barriers and build skills that 
enhance their employability and help them 
advance in their careers, while strengthening 
our value chain. Our largest global programme, 
Learning for Life, which focuses on hospitality, 
retail and entrepreneurship, has reached 
more than 140,000 people since its launch in 
2008, with typically more than 70% gaining 
permanent jobs. Through our range of skills 
programmes, we helped more than 10,300 
people around the world this year. 

KPI
Number of people reached through  
Water of Life programmes.

PROGRESS

Water of Life helps build thriving 
communities by providing access to water, 
sanitation and hygiene, typically in rural areas 
that supply our raw materials and support 
our core business. It has reached more than 
10 million people in India and in Africa since 
2006, including 232,000 this year. 

An example of how we are combining 

water programmes with women’s 
empowerment and skills to create a holistic 
impact can be found on page 19.

SPOTLIGHT

A holistic approach delivers far 
more to villages in Cameroon

Guinness has a big presence in Cameroon 
– and we see ourselves as both part of 
and an important contributor to local 
communities. Our Water of Life 
programme has already brought clean 
water to a number of communities in 
Cameroon, and this year we brought it to 
15,000 people living in and around the 
villages of Moinam and Marouaré. But this 
latest programme has gone much further 
than just clean drinking water. 

Bringing together the core themes of 
all our community programmes – WASH 
(water, sanitation and hygiene), skills 
development and women’s 
empowerment – into one holistic 
approach can achieve far more than a 
single programme on its own. So, in these 
two villages, as well as installing borehole 
wells with manual pumps to provide safe 
drinking water, we invested in awareness 
sessions about child labour and positive 
drinking, and encouraged women to take 
part in a hygiene session. This session 
covered menstrual hygiene and, as part of 
it, we distributed reusable sanitary towels 
to the girls and young women. Lack of 
access to sanitary products is a big factor 
in preventing girls getting an education 
and women entering employment, so this 
kind of educational effort is fundamental 
to women’s empowerment.

In May, the community held an official 

handover ceremony, marking the 
completion of the project, attended by 
Andrew Ross, Managing Director of 
Guinness Cameroun and Astrid Bembone, 
Regional Sales Manager, Center Region. 
Ndinga Guiwa Jeremie, Chief of Moinam 
village, expressed the community’s 
gratitude for Diageo’s investment, 
commenting that the clean water had 
eradicated water-borne diseases, while 
the awareness programme around 
positive drinking had helped people 
make better choices. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Community investment by region

Community investment by focus area

  North America 
Europe and Turkey, and global functions 
Asia Pacific 
Latin America and Caribbean 
Africa 

33%
31%
16%
10%
10%

  Community aspects of responsible 
drinking programmes(i) 
Skills empowerment programmes  
Brand-led and local community spend(ii) 
Water of Life programmes 
Women's empowerment programmes  

43%
27%
19%
7%
4%

(i)  This is a sub-section of the total responsible 

drinking budget.

(ii)  Category includes cause-related brand campaigns, 

local market giving and disaster relief.

Sustainability & Responsibility review

51

“At CARE we know that we 
cannot overcome poverty until 
all people have equal rights 
and opportunities. When you 
empower a girl or a woman, she 
becomes a catalyst for positive 
change, whose success benefits 
everyone around her. Diageo’s 
value chain approach to tackling 
the root causes of gender 
inequality is an example of the 
kind of inclusive business models 
that are critical for tackling poverty.”

Laurie Lee  
Chief Executive, 
CARE International UK

SPOTLIGHT

Learning for Life and 
empowering people 
through skills

We want to create opportunities for people 
around the world to overcome barriers, 
boost their skills and build a better life for 
themselves and their families, and since 
2008 our flagship Learning for Life (L4L) 
programme has been leading the way.

From its origins in our Latin America 
and Caribbean markets, L4L’s aim of finding 
talented people and supporting them to 
reach their full potential now spans more 
than 40 countries. At its core, L4L focuses 
on giving people the tools, training and 
skills they need to succeed in sectors 
including hospitality, retail, 
entrepreneurship and bartending.

After over a decade of programmes, 
L4L is always looking to break new ground. 
This year, for example, we ran our first ever 
L4L initiatives in Greece and Italy, while in 
Ireland we completed the second year of 
a L4L programme which aims to create 
opportunities for refugees through skills 
and education.

L4L is not our only programme to 

provide skills empowerment 
opportunities. In Kenya, for example, 
Project Heshima provides vocational 

training to thousands of young people and 
women at risk of consuming or producing 
illicit brews. In India, our safe drinking ‘water 
ATM’ programmes include training for 287 
women entrepreneurs so they can maintain 
and run the facilities, as described on page 19.
We are proud that these initiatives have 
reached around 140,000 people to date, 
including 10,300 this year alone. We believe 
that by empowering disadvantaged people 

through enhanced skills and 
employability, our programmes support 
UN Sustainable Development Goal 8, 
focused on decent work and economic 
growth. We are sure it makes Diageo 
stronger – by helping to create thriving 
communities where we live, work, source 
and sell.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Reducing our environmental impact

We are a business which relies on the careful stewardship of natural resources 
for our long-term success. From the fields in which our raw materials are 
grown, to the water and energy we use to make our brands, we depend on 
resources that we share with the communities around us – just as we also 
share the impacts that result from these resources becoming constrained.

Our work contributes to the following 
UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Climate change, water scarcity, soil 
degradation and the loss of biodiversity 
threaten the prosperity of our communities 
and the environment, as well as our business. 
For our own benefit, as well as for the future of 
those around us, we must use natural 
resources efficiently across our whole value 
chain and, wherever possible, have a positive 
impact on the environment.

This is not new for us – our brands have 

relied on responsible environmental 
stewardship for generations. Nonetheless, we 
need to make sure we keep building on our 
longstanding commitment to preserving the 
natural environment, to ensure the continuing 
viability of the resources and communities 
that help us create value.

Addressing our most material issues
In 2015 we set ambitious targets for 2020 to 
reduce our environmental impacts and build 
resilience in critical areas. We have periodically 
added new targets to push performance, such 
as prioritising renewable electricity and 
addressing plastics. To stretch ourselves and 
ensure our efforts have a material impact on 
tackling climate-related issues, many of our 
targets are absolute, rather than relative 
reductions. Diageo is part of a pioneering 
group of companies with approved science-
based targets for carbon reduction. In areas 
such as greenhouse gas emissions or waste to 
landfill, we believe the most responsible 
approach is to decouple our impacts from 
business growth. We report on all our targets 
in the following pages.

Climate and water: at the heart of 
our strategy
The need for businesses to act is compelling. 
We continue to see some of the impacts of 
climate change and water stress in our supply 
chain and operations. Drought has affected 
raw material supplies in Africa, India and Brazil. 
Hurricanes impacted our business in the 
Caribbean in 2017, while the extreme summer 

in Scotland in 2018 led to high water 
temperatures and the temporary closure of 
two distilleries. Water availability is inevitably 
a key consideration in our planning and 
investments in water-stressed areas.

These impacts reinforce our support for 
global action on climate change. As members 
of the UN Global Compact, the CEO Water 
Mandate and the We Mean Business coalition, 
we are also making progress on a range of 
initiatives, including our science-based 
carbon emissions reduction targets and 
the elimination of commodity-driven 
deforestation. To reduce our climate impacts 
further, we are committed to procuring 100% 
of our electricity from renewable sources by 
2030 and reducing emissions from short-lived 
climate pollutants such as HFCs.

We also know the importance, both ethical 

and commercial, of responsible water 
stewardship. Water is a strategic priority for 
us and our Water Blueprint provides the 
framework to reduce our overall impact, 
especially in sites in water-stressed areas in 
Africa, India and Brazil, which account for 
approximately a third of our total production 
by volume. In 2018 we carried out water 

Sustainability & Responsibility review

53

risk assessments of all our third-party 
manufacturing sites and identified 18 in water-
stressed areas. This year we began working 
with these sites to better understand their 
water performance and to roll out our water 
stewardship toolkit.

Our Water Blueprint is delivered through 

a four-pillared strategic approach and is 
driven by our key targets for improving water 
efficiency in our own and third-party 
operations, replenishing water in water-
stressed areas and supporting community 
water programmes. We continue to 
advocate for greater collaboration and 
impact in water management.

Understanding the challenges  
and looking beyond 2020
We have seen significant, long-term progress 
against most of our targets. We have reduced 
absolute greenhouse gas emissions from our 
direct operations by 44.7% against our 2007 
baseline and from our entire supply chain by 
27.1%. In the same period, waste to landfill was 
down by 96.2% and we have improved our 
water efficiency by 43.8%.

We have made slower progress in some 
areas, notably the quality of wastewater we 
discharge and our efforts to reduce the overall 
weight of our packaging. Although we 
comply with regulations on wastewater 
everywhere we operate, for wastewater and 
packaging the solutions we have explored so 
far have not produced the improvements in 
performance we need to meet our stretching 
2020 targets. They will continue to be a focus 
beyond 2020, and, in the next two to three 
years, we plan to address them through a 
range of solutions, including further 
investments in wastewater treatment.

We remain committed to our 2020 targets 
and we have identified investments that will 
help us continue our progress. We have also 
started work to define our ambition and 
targets for environmental sustainability 
beyond 2020, which we will share during 
the next financial year.

“As the severity of environmental 
risks to business becomes ever 
more apparent, companies 
showing environmental leadership 
are positioning themselves to 
provide solutions, seize new market 
opportunities and thrive in the 
transition to a sustainable 
economy. I congratulate Diageo on 
their inclusion in CDP’s A List for 
Climate and Water in 2018, and for 
joining the Supplier Engagement 
2018/9 leader board. We need to 
urgently scale up environmental 
action at all levels to meet the goals 
of the Paris Agreement and the UN 
Sustainable Development Goals.”

Paul Simpson 
Chief Executive Officer, 
CDP

Diageo sites located in water-stressed areas

18

17

14 15

23

11

19 20

34

27

32

25

36

40

28

37

26

35

33
31

39

29

38

30

1

2

3

21

22

16

13

7

5

9

4

6

24

12

10

8

Sites

1  Kenya Brewing, 
Nairobi, Kenya

2  East Africa Maltings, 

Nairobi, Kenya
3  Seybrew, Seychelles
4  SA Cider, South Africa
5  Phelindaba Brewery, 

South Africa

6  Butterworth Brewery, 

South Africa

  7  Khangela Brewery,  
South Africa
8 
Isithebe, South Africa
9  Tlokwe, South Africa
10  Isipingo, South Africa
11  Moshi, Tanzania 
12  Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
13  Mwanza, Tanzania
14  UBL, Kampala, Uganda

15  IDU, Kampala, Uganda
16  Accra, Achimota, Ghana
17  Kumasi, Kaasi, Ghana 
18  Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria
19  Paraipaba, Ceará, Brazil
20  Agricultural lands,  

Ceará, Brazil
21  Messejana, Brazil
22  Maracanaú, Brazil

23  Meta Abo, Ethiopia
24  Marracuene, Mozambique

India
25  Alwar, Rajasthan 
26  Aurangabad, Maharashtra
27  Baddi, Himachal Pradesh
28  Baramati, Maharashtra
29  Hospet, Karnataka 

30  Kumbalgodu, Karnataka
31  Malkajgiri, Telangana
32  Meerut, Uttar Pradesh 
33  Nacharam, Telangana 
34  Pathankot, Punjab 
35  Pioneer, Maharashtra 
36  Rosa, Uttar Pradesh
37  Serampore, West Bengal

38  Sovereign, Karnataka
39  Tern, Andhra Pradesh
40  Udaipur, Rajasthan

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT54

Performance against 2020 targets(i)

Water stewardship

2020 target

KPI

Performance

Progress

Reduce water use  
through a 50% 
improvement in water  
use efficiency

% improvement  
in litres of water 
used per litre  
of packaged 
product

6.0%Δ

2019 

43.8%

cumulative 

Return 100% of 
wastewater from our 
operations to the 
environment safely

% reduction in 
wastewater 
polluting power 
measured in BOD 
(‘000 tonnes)

13.6%Δ

2019 

36.0%

cumulative

Replenish the amount  
of water used in our 
final product in 
water-stressed areas

% of water 
replenished in 
water-stressed 
areas (m3)

11.8%

2019 

60.5%

cumulative

Equip our suppliers with 
tools to protect water 
resources in our most 
water-stressed locations

% of key suppliers 
engaged in water 
management 
practices

86%

2019

We have made significant further progress this year at our sites, driven by 
continuous improvement and innovation projects in brewing, maltings and 
distilling operations worldwide.

87.6%

This year, 16,442m3 of water were used for agricultural purposes on land under 
our operational control. We report this separately from water used in our direct 
operations.

The volume of water we recycled or reused in our own production was 
1,029,305m3, representing 5.2% of total water withdrawals. 

While we met all regulatory requirements on wastewater at our sites and have 
made good progress this year, we recognise we will not achieve our full target 
by 2020. 

36%

Over 80% of our sites have achieved the 2020 target. We are now concentrating 
on our remaining cluster of sites. As part of a range of solutions, we are planning 
further investment in wastewater treatment together with the use of new 
technologies to create value from our by-products.

60.5%

This year we replenished 11.8% of the total water used in our final product, and 
cumulatively 60.5% of the water used in water-stressed locations is now 
replenished. Significant progress will be required in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya 
in 2020 to ensure we achieve our ambitious target.

86%

We engaged 128 suppliers to disclose their water management practices 
through CDP’s Supply Chain Water Programme, with an 86% response rate. 
We prioritised more than 100 third-party operators for more in-depth water risk 
assessment and support, and have begun mapping site water performance 
and rolling out our water guidance for the most water stressed.

Carbon

2020 target

KPI

Performance

Progress

Reduce absolute 
greenhouse gas 
emissions from direct 
operations by 50%

% reduction in 
absolute GHG 
(kt CO2e)

5.9%Δ

2019 

44.7%

cumulative

89.4%

We made important progress this year, achieving a 5.9% decrease in carbon 
emissions. In addition to continuous improvement at our operations and fuel 
switching, we have purchased energy attribute certificates to support our 
decarbonisation strategy. 

As a signatory to RE100, we aim to source 100% of our electricity from renewable 
sources by 2030. This year 45.4% of electricity at our production sites came from 
renewable sources such as wind, hydro and solar (2018 – 18.5%). In the United 
Kingdom, 100% of our electricity came from renewable sources.

We use the World Resources Institute/World Business Council for Sustainable 
Development Greenhouse Gas Protocol as a basis for reporting our emissions, 
and we include all facilities where we have operational control for the full 
financial year.

Diageo’s total direct and indirect carbon emissions (location/gross) this year 
were 785,545Δ tonnes (2018 – 782,294 tonnes), comprising direct emissions 
(Scope 1) of 620,573Δ tonnes (2018 – 620,608 tonnes), and indirect (Scope 2) 
emissions of 164,971Δ tonnes (2018 – 164,971 tonnes). The intensity ratio for this 
year was 185 grams per litre packaged (2018 – 186 grams per litre packaged).

Our total supply chain carbon footprint this year was 3.165 million tonnes, a 5.9% 
improvement and important progress towards our target.

We engaged suppliers directly on measuring and managing their carbon 
emissions and made further data analysis improvements. This year we received 
responses from 86% of the 224 suppliers we engaged through the CDP, and 50% 
of these suppliers reported that they had emissions reduction targets. 

Eliminating HFCs plays a role in reducing our overall carbon footprint. 99.5% of 
the 48,000 new fridges we have purchased since July 2015 were HFC-free.

Achieve a 30% reduction 
in absolute greenhouse 
gas emissions along the 
total supply chain

% reduction in 
absolute GHG  
(kt CO2e)

5.9%

2019 

27.1%

cumulative

Ensure all our new 
refrigeration 
equipment in trade 
is HFC-free, with a 
reduction in associated 
greenhouse gas 
emissions from 2015

% of new  
equipment  
sourced HFC-free  
from 1 July 2015

99.5%

2019

90.3%

99.5%

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
 
Sustainability & Responsibility review

55

Waste

2020 target

KPI

Performance

Progress

Achieve zero waste  
to landfill

% reduction in 
total waste to 
landfill (tonnes)

75.7%Δ

2019 

96.2%

cumulative

96.2%

Following a setback in 2018 caused by hurricanes in the Caribbean, we achieved 
significant progress this year. Over 80% of our sites have now achieved our 2020 
target of zero waste to landfill. We continue to focus on our residual volumes 
and sites.

Packaging

2020 target

KPI

Performance

Progress

Reduce total packaging 
by 15%, while increasing 
recycled content to 45% 
and making 100% of 
packaging recyclable

% of total  
packaging  
by weight 

1.4%

2019 

10.8%

cumulative

72%

We made significant progress this year in reducing total packaging by weight, 
predominantly through initiatives to optimise glass and carton weight in India. 
However, despite recent improvements, delivery of this target in full will stretch 
beyond 2020.

% of recycled 

content by weight 0%

2019 

40.5%

cumulative

Our commitment to increase recycled content in our packaging, set in 2009, has 
resulted in a 19% improvement against our baseline. We continue to work with 
suppliers and other partners to improve recycled content.

90%

We reuse returned glass bottles in parts of our business, but do not currently 
include them in our reported recycled content data. We are reviewing our 
reporting boundaries for recycled content so that we can consider including 
returned glass in our recycled content data from 2020.

% of recyclable 
packaging by  
weight

0%

2019 

As we approach our target, we are finding challenges in the areas of recycling 
infrastructure and technology solutions. We plan to carry out a review of the 
options available in order to achieve the final 1.3% to meet our target.

98.7%

98.7%

cumulative

Sustainably source  
all of our paper and 
board packaging to 
ensure zero net 
deforestation

% of sustainably 
sourced paper and 
board packaging

94%

2019

94%

We define sustainably sourced as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme 
for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified, or recycled fibre. To 
date we have engaged over 280 suppliers, with 93% responding. Collectively these 
suppliers have self-reported that 94% of the paper and board packaging they 
supply meets our sustainable sourcing criteria, and we continue to work with our 
suppliers to deliver our goal of 100% by 2020.

(i) 
Δ 

 Baseline year is 2007 except for packaging which is 2009 and water replenishment which is 2015. 
 Within PwC’s limited assurance; see page 173 for further details.

Performance against 2025 targets(ii)

Packaging (plastic)

2025 target

KPI

Performance

Progress

Achieve 40% average 
recycled content in all 
plastic bottles (and 
100% by 2030)

Tonnes (metric) of 
recycled content/
total tonnes of 
plastics used

0.02%

2019 
cumulative 0.02%

Ensure 100% of our 
plastics will be designed 
to be recyclable, 
reusable or compostable 
in countries where 
we operate

Tonnes (metric) 
plastics widely 
recyclable (or 
reusable/
compostable)/
total tonnes of 
plastic used

81%

2019 

81%

cumulative

(ii)   These targets were introduced in 2018.

In our first year of reporting against this target, we have identified opportunities 
to increase the use of recycled content in plastic (PET) bottles, particularly in 
North America. Although only 2% of our packaging is made from plastic (PET), 
we nonetheless consider this an important target.

We continue to work with our suppliers and other partners to remove 
non-recyclable plastics from our products and to promote better recycling 
infrastructure in selected markets. 

0%

81%

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT56

Understanding and responding to 
climate-related risks and opportunities
As part of our drive to increase our 
understanding of the financial aspects of 
climate-related risks, and in line with the 
recommendations of the Task Force on 
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), 
we have carried out Sustainability Value 
Assessments (SVAs) in three key markets.

Water scarcity is our most material risk, and 

our SVAs examined the potential impact of 
climate-related water scarcity over a five- and 
ten-year horizon. 

The insights provided by our SVAs feed 
into our overall approaches to both water 
stewardship and climate adaptation. This year, 
we formed a new cross-functional working 
group, with representatives from our 
Compliance and Risk, Strategy, Investor 
Relations, Environment, Procurement, Security, 
Corporate Relations, and Treasury functions. 
This group will manage climate risk and 
provide regular updates to the Executive 
Committee and the Board.

HIGHLIGHT

Executive oversight of climate risk
David Cutter was appointed Chief 
Sustainability Officer in November 2018, in 
addition to his role as President, Global 
Supply and Procurement. He sits on Diageo’s 
Executive Committee, and chairs the 
Executive Environment Working Group. 
Board oversight of environmental 
performance is described on page 74.

Our processes for identifying, assessing 

and managing climate-related risks are 
described further on page 21.

HIGHLIGHT

Collaborating on climate adaptation
We share knowledge and expertise through 
the Beverage Industry Environmental 
Roundtable (BIER), a technical coalition of 
leading global beverage companies 
working together to advance 
environmental sustainability. We are 
supporting BIER’s work exploring options to 
develop a consistent approach to TCFD 
scenario planning for the beverage sector.

Global packaging materials(i) by volume 
(Total – 1.5 million tonnes)

  Glass 
83%
7%
Corrugate 
Cartons 
4%
Closures and crowns 2%
2%
PET 

 Cans 
Other (beverage 
cartons, labels, 
sleeves, bags and 
sachets) 

1%

1%

(i)  Excludes promotional materials.

SPOTLIGHT

Working with others to 
transform recycling

Our long-term commitment is to make our 
packaging as sustainable as possible at 
every stage of its life cycle. Increasing our 
use of recycled materials – and making 
it as easy as possible for consumers to 
recycle our packaging after use – is vital 
to achieving our packaging ambitions, 
described on page 55.

But with any material, our ability to 

contribute to a recycling culture is 
heavily influenced by the available local 
infrastructure. In some of the places where 
we operate, consumers have few options 
to recycle, or none. The only way to 
change this is to work with others, which 
makes our partnerships very important. 
The Glass is Good initiative in Brazil is 

a great example. It brings together the 
entire glass production chain, from glass 
packaging manufacturers to commercial 
establishments to major beverage 
companies, to support the work of local 
recycling cooperatives. Since 2010, it has 

enabled 27,000 tonnes of glass to be 
recycled – equivalent to approximately 
50 million one-litre vodka bottles. We are 
very pleased that this year, other alcohol 
companies joined us in this effort. 

It is this sort of collaborative thinking 

that we want to expand elsewhere, 
and to other materials. So in 2019 we 
co-founded the Africa Plastics Recycling 
Alliance, which aims to drive collective 
action by some of the biggest consumer 
goods businesses to address plastics 

waste, while creating economic 
opportunities through better recycling 
and reprocessing infrastructure. It is 
early days, but by sharing knowledge, 
encouraging innovation, and 
collaborating on technical and other 
solutions appropriate for Sub-Saharan 
Africa, we believe we can make a real 
impact – and ensure that our products 
are not just enjoyable, but sustainably 
packaged. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sustainability & Responsibility review

57

Direct and indirect carbon emissions
by weight (1,000 tonnes CO2e)(i),(ii) 
(market-/net-based) 

4
7
8

6
8
1

4
5
5

3
5
5

2
1
5

9
7

0
7

4
7

2007

2017

2018

2019 ∆

Direct
Indirect

Carbon emissions by weight by region (1,000 tonnes CO2e)(i), (ii)
Region
North America
Europe and Turkey
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Asia Pacific
Corporate
Diageo (total)

2007
211
399
271
8
151
20
1,060

2017
50
264
234
15
58
12
633

2018
44
279
225
18
49
8
623

2019
54
233
225
19
47
8
586Δ

(i)  CO2e figures are calculated using the WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol guidance available at the beginning of our 

financial year, the kWh/CO2e conversion factor provided by energy suppliers, the relevant factors to the country 
of operation, or the International Energy Agency, as applicable.

(ii)  2007 baseline data, and data for each of the intervening years in the period ended 30 June 2018, have been 
restated where relevant and in accordance with the WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol and Diageo’s environmental 
reporting methodologies.

Δ  Within PwC’s independent limited assurance scope. Please see page 173 for further details.

Environmental data by region

Water efficiency by region, by year (l/l)(i), (ii)
Region
North America
Europe and Turkey
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Asia Pacific
Diageo (total)

Wastewater polluting power by region, by year (BOD/t)(i)
Region
North America
Europe and Turkey
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Asia Pacific
Corporate
Diageo (total)
Total under direct control

2007
6.88
7.94
8.48
34.84
7.06
8.27

2007
214
22,610
9,970
10
92
–
32,896
32,070

2017
5.73
5.78
4.32
3.88
4.31
4.98

2017
240
17,617
183
34
64
–
18,138
17,936

2018
5.55
6.02
4.28
4.66
3.63
4.94

2018
343
23,502
151
14
2
1
24,013
23,751

2019
5.26
5.37
4.16
4.58
3.36
4.64Δ

2019
835
18,353
1,609
10
2
1
20,810
20,531Δ

(i)  2007 baseline data, and data for each of the intervening years in the period ended 30 June 2018, have been restated where relevant and in accordance with our environmental 

reporting methodologies.

(ii)  In accordance with our environmental reporting methodologies, total water used excludes irrigation water for agricultural purposes on land under the operational control of the 

company.

Δ  Within PwC’s independent limited assurance scope. Please see page 173 for further details.

Total waste to landfill by region (tonnes)(i)
Region
North America
Europe and Turkey
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Asia Pacific
Corporate
Diageo (total)

2007
39,857
19,898
37,062
243
8,583
604
106,247

2017
146
1,252
3,937
379
380
719
6,813

2018
12,177(ii)
169
3,108
106
504
461
16,525

2019
276
195
2,545
84
549
372
4,021Δ

(i)  2007 baseline data, and data for each of the intervening years in the period ended 30 June 2018, have been restated where relevant and in accordance with our environmental 

reporting methodologies.

(ii)  In September 2017, damage caused by Hurricane Maria meant that by-products from our distillery in St Croix in the US Virgin Islands, which are usually recycled as animal feed, 

were diverted to landfill. We took remedial action, including upgrading equipment, to minimise the risk of this reoccurring.

Δ  Within PwC’s independent limited assurance scope. Please see page 173 for further details.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
58

Our people

We aim to create a trusting, respectful and inclusive culture, where people are proud 
of their work, empowered to succeed, and know that their health, safety and other 
human rights are respected. 

Our work contributes to the following 
UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Health and safety
The health, safety and wellbeing of our 
employees is our highest priority. Our 
recently revised global Health and Safety 
strategy aims to take a holistic approach to 
the wellbeing, as well as the safety, of our 
people. Our global Zero Harm programme 
is designed to ensure that everyone goes 
home safe and healthy, every day – and it 
has driven industry-leading progress.

This year, we exceeded our 2020 target of 

achieving less than one lost-time accident 
(LTA) per 1,000 employees, and no fatalities, 
for the second consecutive year. In 18 markets, 
we operated without any LTAs for the year.
We are proud of this progress, but we 
know that there is no acceptable level of 
accidents, and we want to continue to drive 
our performance. We have started to adopt 
a new primary safety KPI, total recordable 
accidents (TRA). This gives us a broader lens 
on different types of incidents and means 
we can apply the same rigorous root cause 
investigations to them, giving us a greater 
ability to predict and prevent more serious 
accidents. We are also starting to adopt 
more advanced technology systems, which 

will help us gather richer health and safety 
data insights. We are confident these 
changes will help the business achieve 
further step-changes in performance and 
create an even stronger Zero Harm culture. 
Our ambition is to develop a new health 
and safety target using a leading indicator 
by 2025, but in the shorter term we will report 
on the new TRA metric from next year. 
Sustaining and improving our best 
practice culture and growing our people’s 
capabilities continue to be core areas of 
focus. We aim to ensure these are embedded 
across all areas of our organisation, from 
supply sites to office and commercial team 
environments. We are also working to ensure 
our third-party operations are aligned with 
our Zero Harm values. 

TARGET
Keep our people safe by achieving less than 
one lost-time accident (LTA) per 1,000 
employees and no fatalities.

KPI
Number of LTAs; number of fatalities.

PROGRESS
There were 0.98 LTAs per 1,000 employees this 
year, compared with 1.00 in 2018. There were 
also no work-related fatalities. This is the 
second year we have met our 2020 target of 
less than one LTA per 1,000 employees. From 
next year we will report on total recordable 
accidents as a new KPI (see above).

Lost-time accident frequency rate per 1,000 full-time employees(i)
Region
North America
Europe and Turkey
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Asia Pacific
Diageo (total)

2016
0.37
1.28
0.77
2.27
2.01
1.44

2015
1.83
2.51
1.2
0.66
1.21
1.66

2014
0.84
2.08
0.56
4.7
1.62
1.66

2017
0.7
1.46
1.26
1.79
0.81
1.14

2018
0.0
1.58
1.35
0.36
0.66
1.00

2019
1.76
1.00
1.19
1.13
0.57
0.98Δ 

(i) 

 Number of accidents per 1,000 employees and directly supervised contractors resulting in time lost from work  
of one calendar day or more.

Δ  Within PwC’s independent limited assurance scope. Please see page 173 for further details.

Number of days lost to accidents per 1,000 full-time employees(i)

Diageo (total)

Fatalities
Diageo (total)

2014
49.7

2014
1

2015
89.4

2015
1

2016
57

2016
1

2017
36

2017
1

2018
45

2018
0

2019
67.3

2019
0

(i)  While the number of lost-time accidents decreased this year, the severity of the injuries sustained unfortunately 
increased. The introduction of our new total recordable accident metric will ensure more accidents will be 
investigated with the same rigour as lost-time accidents, helping to prevent more serious injuries in the future. 

Inclusive, diverse and high-
performing culture
Celebrating our inclusive and diverse culture 
is core to our purpose, and maintaining and 
growing that culture is a critical business priority. 
Everyone should have the freedom to succeed, 
irrespective of their gender, race, religion, 
disability, age or sexual orientation. We firmly 
believe that an inclusive and diverse business is a 
better place to work – and a better-performing 
business. As just one example of our 
commitment, in 2019 we were proud to sign the 
BITC Race at Work Charter, a new initiative 
designed to improve outcomes for black, Asian 
and minority ethnic (BAME) employees in the 
UK, by providing practical help to tackle racial 
barriers in the workplace. 

This year, we continued to develop our policy 

framework to make sure we give people the 
opportunity to be the best they can be. In 
Europe, our new Dignity at Work policy is 
helping build a culture where everyone feels 
free and comfortable to discuss anything that 
has an impact on their health, safety, wellbeing, 
or ability to do their job effectively. The policy 
is available in 11 languages, and our new 
eLearning course is mandatory for all employees 
and new starters. In May 2019, we announced 
our new Family Leave Policy, which supports 
employees through global standards (see 
highlight below). 

HIGHLIGHT

Tackling the barriers to career 
progression: our industry-leading 
Family Leave Policy
From May 2019, we began rolling out our 
global family leave policy, which provides 
fully-paid 26-week maternity leave for all 
female employees, and a global minimum 
standard of four weeks’ paternity leave on 
full rate of pay in all markets. Since April 
2019, parents employed by Diageo in 
the UK have been eligible for the same 
fully-paid 26 weeks’ leave, retaining benefits 
and bonuses regardless of gender and 
sexual orientation, whether they become 
parents biologically, via surrogacy or by 
adoption. A range of other markets have 
either moved, or are moving, to a standard 
of 26 weeks’ fully-paid paternity leave.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019TARGET
Build diversity, with 35%(i) of leadership 
positions held by women by 2020 (40% by 
2025) and measures implemented to help 
female employees attain and develop in 
leadership roles. 

KPI
% of leadership positions held by women.

PROGRESS
This year, 36% of leadership roles were held by 
women. At the most senior level, 44% of our 
Board members and 40% of our Executive 
Committee members are women.

(i)  We increased the 2020 target from 30% to 35% in 2017.

At the same time, we have continued our 
drive to make our business more diverse, 
and more gender equal. We want to be the 
employer of choice for women in the UK, 
and globally we are focusing on developing 

a strong pipeline of female talent for all roles. 
Currently, 40% of our Executive Committee 
and 44% of our Board are women. Women 
currently hold more than 36% of leadership 
positions, and each of our 21 markets has a 
strategy in place to foster greater inclusion 
and diversity. We also seek to promote 
inclusion, gender balance and equality 
through our brands and programmes.

Engaged, empowered and proud of 
what we do
We want our people to be the ‘best they can 
be’. That means working to make sure they 
are engaged and empowered, so they can 
be passionate about our strategy, connected 
to our values and purpose, and motivated 
to perform at their best as advocates of 
our brands. 

Communications and leadership 

interventions across the business bring our 

Average number of employees by region by gender(i)
Men
Region
1,667
North America
6,337
Europe and Turkey
3,167
Africa
1,594
Latin America and Caribbean
6,345
Asia Pacific
19,110
Diageo (total)

Average number of employees by role by gender
Role
Senior manager(ii)
Line manager(iii)
Supervised employee(iv)
Diageo (total)

Men
361
2,373
16,376
19,110

%
61
60
74
64
75
67

%
64
69
67
67

Women
1,080
4,158
1,103
899
2,070
9,310

Women
205
1,072
8,033
9,310

% 
39
40
26
36
25
33

%
36
31
33
33

Total 
2,747
10,495
4,270
2,493
8,415
28,420

Total
566
3,445
24,409
28,420

New hires by region by gender(i)
Region
North America
Europe and Turkey
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean
Asia Pacific
Diageo (total)
Percentage of total new hires

Leavers by region by gender(i)
Region
North America
Europe and Turkey
Africa 
Latin America and Caribbean
Asia Pacific
Diageo (total)
Percentage of total leavers

Men
249
660
280
296
525
2,010

Women
125
642
166
183
375
1,491

57.4%

42.6%

Men
299
880
438
228
1,219
3,064

63.8%

Women
198
803
175
186
379
1,741
36.2%

Total  % of headcount
13.6
374
12.4
1,302
10.4
446
19.2
479
10.7
900
12.3
3,501

Total % of headcount 
18.1
497
16.0
1,683
14.4
613
16.6
414
19.0
1,598
16.9
4,805

(i)  Employees have been allocated to the region in which they reside. 
(ii)  Top leadership positions in Diageo, excluding Executive Committee.
(iii) All Diageo employees (non-senior managers) with one or more direct reports.
(iv) All Diageo employees (non-senior managers) who have no direct reports.

Sustainability & Responsibility review

59

strategy and purpose to life for employees 
throughout the year, while a range of 
campaigns also engage employees on their 
part in promoting positive drinking. We have 
a framework of clear policies, competitive 
reward programmes, coaching and 
development, and health and wellbeing 
initiatives, to make sure our people have the 
opportunity to develop themselves, and their 
performance.

We report employee engagement on 
page 13 as one of the overarching KPIs that 
measure the progress of our business. We 
use our annual Your Voice survey to help us 
understand how engaged employees are, 
as well as to listen to their feedback on the 
business – and this year we enhanced the 
survey to give employees more opportunities 
to make their voices heard. This year’s results 
show that engagement remains high, and 
employee satisfaction has increased. Most 
employees have a favourable view of Diageo’s 
culture and a strong relationship with their 
line manager. 

TARGET
Increase employee engagement to 80%, 
becoming a top quartile performer on 
measures such as employee satisfaction, 
pride and loyalty.

KPI
Employee satisfaction, loyalty, advocacy and 
pride, measured through our Values Survey.(i)

PROGRESS
94% of our people participated in our annual 
Your Voice survey (22,615 of the 24,129 invited). 
75% identified themselves as being engaged, 
compared to 76% last year. This remains a 
strong engagement score, on a par with 
best-in-class benchmarks. 89% said they were 
proud to work for Diageo, and 77% agreed 
with the statement “I am extremely satisfied 
with Diageo as a place to work”. 

(i) 

I n 2019 we introduced Your Voice, an enhanced 
survey to capture deeper insights into employee 
experiences of working for Diageo.

For more information please see the

Sustainability & Responsibility 
Performance Addendum 2019
which contains detailed disclosures against 
the GRI Standards, the UN Global Compact 
and the Sustainability Accounting 
Standards Board.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019STRATEGIC REPORT60 

Definitions and reconciliation of non-GAAP 
measures to GAAP measures

Diageo’s strategic planning process is based on the following non-GAAP measures. 
They are chosen for planning and reporting, and some of them are used for incentive 
purposes. The group’s management believes these measures provide valuable 
additional information for users of the financial statements in understanding the group’s 
performance. These non-GAAP measures should be viewed as complementary to, and 
not replacements for, the comparable GAAP measures and reported movements therein.

It is not possible to reconcile the forecast tax 
rate before exceptional items and forecast 
organic operating profit increases to the 
most comparable GAAP measures as it is 
not possible to predict, with reasonable 
certainty, the future impact of changes in 
exchange rates, acquisitions and disposals 
and potential exceptional items. 

Volume 
Volume is a non-GAAP measure that is 
measured on an equivalent units basis to 
nine-litre cases of spirits. An equivalent 
unit represents one nine-litre case of 
spirits, which is approximately 272 servings. 
A serving comprises 33ml of spirits, 165ml 
of wine, or 330ml of ready to drink or beer. 
Therefore, to convert volume of products 
other than spirits to equivalent units, the 
following guide has been used: beer in 
hectolitres, divide by 0.9; wine in nine-litre 
cases, divide by five; ready to drink in nine-
litre cases, divide by 10; and certain pre-
mixed products that are classified as ready 
to drink in nine-litre cases, divide by ten. 

Organic movements 
In the discussion of the performance 
of the business, ‘organic’ information is 
presented using pounds sterling amounts 
on a constant currency basis excluding the 
impact of exceptional items and acquisitions 
and disposals. Organic measures enable 
users to focus on the performance of the 
business which is common to both years and 
which represents those measures that local 
managers are most directly able to influence. 

Calculation of organic movements 
The organic movement percentage is 
the amount in the row titled ‘Organic 
movement’ in the tables below, expressed 
as a percentage of the amount in the row 
titled ‘2018 adjusted’. Organic operating 
margin is calculated by dividing operating 
profit before exceptional items by net sales 
after excluding the impact of exchange rate 
movements and acquisitions and disposals.

(a) Exchange rates 
‘Exchange’ in the organic movement 
calculation reflects the adjustment to 
recalculate the prior year results as if they 
had been generated at the current year 
exchange rates. 

Exchange impacts in respect of the 
external hedging of intergroup sales of 
products and the intergroup recharging 
of third party services are allocated to the 
geographical segment to which they relate. 
Residual exchange impacts are reported 
in Corporate. 

(b) Acquisitions and disposals 
For acquisitions in the current year, the 
post acquisition results are excluded from 
the organic movement calculations. For 
acquisitions in the prior year, post acquisition 
results are included in full in the prior year 
but are included in the organic movement 
calculation from the anniversary of the 
acquisition date in the current year. The 
acquisition row also eliminates the impact of 
transaction costs that have been charged to 
operating profit in the current or prior year in 
respect of acquisitions that, in management’s 
judgement, are expected to be completed. 

Where a business, brand, brand 
distribution right or agency agreement 
was disposed of, or terminated, in the 
period up to the date of the external results 
announcement, the group, in the organic 
movement calculations, excludes the results 
for that business from the current and prior 
year. In the calculation of operating profit, 
the overheads included in disposals are only 
those directly attributable to the businesses 
disposed of, and do not result from 
subjective judgements of management.

In addition, as part of acquisitions and 
disposals in the reconciliation for operating 
profit before exceptional items in the year 
ended 30 June 2019, there is a charge of 
£15 million in respect of an increase in the 
contingent consideration payable to the 
former owners of the Casamigos brand 
which was acquired in August 2017.

(c) Exceptional items 
Exceptional items are those that in 
management’s judgement need to be 
disclosed by virtue of their size and/or nature. 
Such items are included within the income 
statement caption to which they relate, 
and are separately disclosed in the notes 
to the consolidated financial statements, 
and are excluded from the organic 
movement calculations. 

Exceptional operating items are those 
that are considered to be material and/or 
unusual or non recurring in nature and are 
part of the operating activities of the group 
such as impairments of fixed assets, indirect 
tax settlements, property disposals and 
changes in post employment plans. 

Gains and losses on the sale of businesses, 

brands or distribution rights, step up gains 
and losses that arise when an investment 
becomes an associate or an associate 
becomes a subsidiary and other material, 
unusual non-recurring items, that are not in 
respect of the production, marketing and 
distribution of premium drinks, are disclosed 
as non-operating exceptional items below 
operating profit in the consolidated 
income statement. 

Exceptional current and deferred tax 
items comprising material unusual non 
recurring items that impact taxation, such 
as direct tax provisions and settlements 
in respect of prior years and the 
remeasurement of deferred tax assets and 
liabilities following tax rate changes.

It is believed that separate disclosure 
of exceptional items and the classification 
between operating and non-operating 
further helps investors to understand the 
performance of the group. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Organic movement calculations for the year ended 30 June 2019 were as follows: 

North
 America
million

Europe and
Turkey
million

Africa
million

Latin America
and Caribbean
million

Asia Pacific
million

Corporate
million

Total
million

Volume (equivalent units)
2018 reported
Disposals(iv)
2018 adjusted
Disposals(iv)
Organic movement
2019 reported
Organic movement %

Sales 
2018 reported
Exchange(i)
Disposals(iv)
2018 adjusted
Acquisitions and disposals(iv)
Organic movement
2019 reported
Organic movement %

Net sales
2018 reported
Exchange(ii)
Disposals(iv)
2018 adjusted
Acquisitions and disposals(iv)
Organic movement
2019 reported
Organic movement %

Marketing
2018 reported
Exchange
Reclassification(iii)
Disposals(iv)
2018 adjusted
Acquisitions and disposals(iv)
Organic movement
2019 reported
Organic movement %

Operating profit before exceptional items
2018 reported
Exchange(ii)
Acquisitions and disposals(iv)
2018 adjusted
Acquisitions and disposals(iv)
Organic movement
2019 reported
Organic movement %

Organic operating margin %
2019
2018
Margin improvement/(decline) (bps)

48.2
(2.7)
45.5
2.8
1.1
49.4
2

4,671
200
(185)
4,686
139
249
5,074
5

4,116
176
(143)
4,149
95
216
4,460
5

662
24
–
(1)
685
2
75
762
11

1,882
74
(90)
1,866
30
52
1,948
3

43.9%
45.0%
(103)

46.3
(0.1)
46.2
0.1
(0.9)
45.4
(2)

5,232
(291)
(7)
4,934
3
195
5,132
4

2,932
(95)
(3)
2,834
1
104
2,939
4

474
(10)
–
–
464
–
26
490
6

1,028
(35)
(2)
991
1
22
1,014
2

34.5%
35.0%
(49)

33.2
–
33.2
–
0.4
33.6
1

2,083
12
(4)
2,091
2
142
2,235
7

1,491
8
(3)
1,496
1
100
1,597
7

158
1
10
–
169
–
5
174
3

191
(6)
(2)
183
1
91
275
50

22.2
–
22.2
–
0.2
22.4
1

1,352
(35)
(1)
1,316
1
127
1,444
10

1,069
(29)
(1)
1,039
1
90
1,130
9

196
(7)
–
–
189
–
12
201
6

308
(2)
–
306
–
59
365
19

90.5
(0.1)
90.4
–
4.7
95.1
5

5,042
(120)
(10)
4,912
1
443
5,356
9

2,503
(36)
(6)
2,461
1
226
2,688
9

388
(3)
–
–
385
–
27
412
7

568
(6)
(2)
560
–
143
703
26

17.2%
12.2%
494

32.3%
29.5%
288

26.2%
22.8%
341

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

52
–
–
52
–
1
53
2

52
–
–
52
–
1
53
2

4
–
–
–
4
–
(1)
3
(25)

(158)
–
–
(158)
–
(31)
(189)
(20)

n/a
n/a
n/a

240.4
(2.9)
237.5
2.9
5.5
245.9
2

18,432
(234)
(207)
17,991
146
1,157
19,294
6

12,163
24
(156)
12,031
99
737
12,867
6

1,882
5
10
(1)
1,896
2
144
2,042
8

3,819
25
(96)
3,748
32
336
4,116
9

32.0%
31.2%
83

(1)  For the reconciliation of sales to net sales see page 27.
(2)  Percentages and margin improvement are calculated on rounded figures. 

Notes: Information in respect of the organic movement calculations 
(i)  The exchange adjustments for sales are principally in respect of the strengthening of sterling against the Turkish lira, Indian rupee and the Australian dollar, partially offset by the weakening of sterling 

against the US dollar, the euro and the Kenyan shilling. 

(ii)  The exchange adjustments for net sales and operating profit are principally in respect of the weakening of sterling against the US dollar, the euro and the Kenyan shilling, partially offset by strengthening 

of sterling against the Turkish lira, Indian rupee and the Australian dollar.

(iii)  For the year ended 30 June 2018 marketing costs of £10 million in South Africa have been reclassified from overheads to marketing.
(iv)  In the year ended 30 June 2019 the acquisitions and disposals that affected volume, sales, net sales, marketing and operating profit were as follows: 

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures 6162 

Year ended 30 June 2018
Acquisitions

Transaction costs

Disposals

Portfolio of 19 brands
Nepal

Acquisitions and disposals
Year ended 30 June 2019
Acquisitions
Casamigos
Change in contingent consideration

Disposals

Portfolio of 19 brands

Acquisitions and disposals

Volume
equ. units million

Sales 
£ million

Net sales 
£ million

Marketing 
£ million

Operating 
profit 
£ million

–
–

(2.8)
(0.1)
(2.9)

(2.9)

–
–
–

2.9
2.9

2.9

–
–

(199)
(8)
(207)

(207)

11
–
11

135
135

146

–
–

(153)
(3)
(156)

(156)

10
–
10

89
89

99

–
–

(1)
–
(1)

(1)

1
–
1

1
1

2

4
4

(99)
(1)
(100)

(96)

3
(15)
(12)

44
44

32

The group will change its method of calculating the exchange impact used to calculate organic growth in its results for the year ending 
30 June 2020. The exchange row will represent the impact of restating the current year at prior year exchange rates rather than the method 
used presently of restating the prior year results to current year exchange rates. The change will simplify our processes aligning management 
and organic reporting and will be more consistent with how Diageo’s peer group report. The change is not expected to materially impact 
reported organic percentage movements. A restatement of prior year results under the new methodology will be published later in the 
calendar year.

Earnings per share before exceptional items
Earnings per share before exceptional items is calculated by dividing profit attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company before 
exceptional items by the weighted average number of shares in issue. 

Earnings per share before exceptional items for the year ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018 are set out in the table below.

Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company
Exceptional operating and non-operating items attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company
Exceptional taxation charges / (benefits) attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company

Tax in respect of exceptional operating and non-operating items attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company

Weighted average number of shares
Shares in issue excluding own shares
Dilutive potential ordinary shares

Basic earnings per share before exceptional items
Diluted earnings per share before exceptional items

2019
£ million 
3,160
(61)

36
29
3,164

million
2,418
10
2,428

pence
130.8
130.3

2018
£ million 
3,022
128

(190)
(13)
2,947

million
2,484
11
2,495

pence
118.6
118.1

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Free cash flow
Free cash flow comprises the net cash flow from operating activities aggregated with the net cash received/paid for working capital loans 
receivable, cash paid or received for investments and the net cash cost paid for property, plant and equipment and computer software that 
are included in net cash flow from investing activities. 

The remaining components of net cash flow from investing activities that do not form part of free cash flow, as defined by the group’s 

management, are in respect of the acquisition and sale of businesses and non-working capital loans to and from associates. 

The group’s management regards the purchase and disposal of property, plant and equipment and computer software as ultimately 
non-discretionary since ongoing investment in plant, machinery and technology is required to support the day-to-day operations, whereas 
acquisitions and sales of businesses are discretionary. 
Where appropriate, separate explanations are given for the impacts of acquisitions and sale of businesses, dividends paid and the purchase 
of own shares, each of which arises from decisions that are independent from the running of the ongoing underlying business. 

Free cash flow reconciliations for the years ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018 are set out in the table below: 

Net cash inflow from operating activities
Disposal of property, plant and equipment and computer software
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and computer software
Movements in loans and other investments
Free cash flow

2019
£ million 
 3,248
32
(671)
(1)
2,608

2018
£ million 
3,084
40
(584)
(17)
2,523

Return on average total invested capital
Return on average total invested capital is used by management to assess the return obtained from the group’s asset base and is calculated 
to aid evaluation of the performance of the business. 

The profit used in assessing the return on average total invested capital reflects operating profit before exceptional items attributable to 
the equity shareholders of the parent company plus share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures after applying the tax rate before 
exceptional items for the year. Average total invested capital is calculated using the average derived from the consolidated balance sheets 
at the beginning, middle and end of the year. Average capital employed comprises average net assets attributable to equity shareholders of 
the parent company for the year, excluding post employment benefit net assets/liabilities (net of deferred tax) and average net borrowings. 
This average capital employed is then aggregated with the average restructuring and integration costs net of tax, and goodwill written off to 
reserves at 1 July 2004, the date of transition to IFRS, to obtain the average total invested capital. 

Calculations for the return on average total invested capital for the year ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018 are set out in the table below. 

Operating profit
Exceptional operating items
Profit before exceptional operating items attributable to non-controlling interests
Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures
Tax at the tax rate before exceptional items of 20.6% (2018 – 20.7%)

Average net assets (excluding net post employment assets/liabilities)
Average non-controlling interests
Average net borrowings
Average integration and restructuring costs (net of tax)
Goodwill at 1 July 2004
Average total invested capital
Return on average total invested capital

2019
£ million 
4,042
74
(151)
312
(881)
3,396

10,847
(1,776)
10,240
1,639
1,562
22,512
15.1%

2018
£ million 
3,691
128
(122)
309
(829)
3,177

12,067
(1,749)
8,727
1,639
1,562
22,246
14.3%

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures 6364 

Net borrowings to earnings before exceptional operating items, interest, tax, depreciation, 
amortisation and impairment (adjusted EBITDA) 
Diageo manages its capital structure to achieve capital efficiency, provide flexibility to invest through the economic cycle and give efficient 
access to debt markets at attractive cost levels. The group regularly assesses its debt and equity capital levels to enhance its capital structure 
by reviewing the ratio of adjusted net borrowings to adjusted EBITDA.

Calculations for the ratio of adjusted net borrowings to adjusted EBITDA for the year ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018 are set out 

in the table below. 

Borrowings due within one year
Borrowings due after one year
Fair value of foreign currency derivatives and interest rate hedging instruments
Finance lease liabilities
Less: Cash and cash equivalents
Net borrowings
Post employment benefit liabilities before tax
Adjusted net borrowings
Operating profit
Exceptional operating items
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment (excluding exceptional items)
Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted net borrowings to adjusted EBITDA (x)

2019
£ million 
1,959
10,596
(474)
128
(932)
11,277
846
12,123
4,042
74
374
312
4,802
2.5

2018
£ million 
1,828
8,074
(92)
155
(874)
9,091
872
9,963
3,691
128
368
309
4,496
2.2

Tax rate before exceptional items
Tax rate before exceptional items is calculated by dividing the total tax charge on continuing operations before tax charges and credits in 
respect of exceptional items, by profit before taxation adjusted to exclude the impact of exceptional operating and non-operating items, 
expressed as a percentage. The measure is used by management to assess the rate of tax applied to the group’s continuing operations before 
tax on exceptional items. 

The tax rates from operations before exceptional and after exceptional items for the year ended 30 June 2019 and year ended 30 June 2018 

are set out in the table below: 

Tax before exceptional items (a)
Tax in respect of exceptional items
Exceptional tax charge/(credit)
Taxation on profit (b)

Profit from operations before taxation and exceptional items (c)
Non-operating items
Exceptional finance charges
Exceptional operating items
Profit before taxation (d)

Tax rate before exceptional items (a/c)
Tax rate from operations after exceptional items (b/d)

2019
£ million 
859
29
10
898

4,174
144
(9)
(74)
4,235

20.6%
21.2%

2018
£ million 
799
(13)
(190)
596

3,868
–
–
(128)
3,740

20.7%
15.9%

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019This Strategic Report, which has been 
approved by a duly appointed and 
authorised committee of the Board 
of Directors, was signed on its behalf 
by Siobhán Moriarty, the Company 
Secretary, on 25 July 2019.

Other definitions
Volume share is a brand’s retail volume 
expressed as a percentage of the retail 
volume of all brands in its segment. Value 
share is a brand’s retail sales value expressed 
as a percentage of the retail sales value of 
all brands in its segment. Unless otherwise 
stated, share refers to value share. 

Price/mix is the number of percentage 
points by which the organic movement in 
net sales differs to the organic movement 
in volume. The difference arises because of 
changes in the composition of sales between 
higher and lower priced variants/markets or 
as price changes are implemented. 

Shipments comprise the volume of 
products made to Diageo’s immediate (first 
tier) customers. Depletions are the estimated 
volume of the onward sales made by our 
immediate customers. Both shipments and 
depletions are measured on an equivalent 
units basis. 

References to global giants include the 
following brand families: Johnnie Walker, 
Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray 
and Guinness. Local stars spirits include 
Buchanan’s, Bundaberg, Crown Royal, JεB, 
McDowell’s, Old Parr, Yenì Raki, Black & White, 
Shui Jing Fang, Windsor and Ypióca. Global 
giants and local stars exclude ready to drink 
and beer except Guinness. References to 
Shui Jing Fang represent total Chinese 
white spirits of which Shui Jing Fang is the 
predominant brand. 

References to ready to drink also include 

ready to serve products, such as pre-mix 
cans in some markets, and progressive adult 
beverages in the United States and certain 
markets supplied by the United States. 

References to beer include cider and 

some non-alcoholic products such as 
Malta Guinness. 

The results of Hop House 13 Lager are 

References to emerging markets include 

included in the Guinness figures. 

References to the disposal of a portfolio 

of 19 brands comprise the following 
brands that were primarily sold in the 
United States: Seagram’s VO, Seagram’s 83, 
Seagram’s Five Star, Popov, Myers’s, Parrot 
Bay, Yukon Jack, Romana Sambuca, Scoresby, 
Goldschlager, Relska, Stirrings, The Club, 
Booth’s, Black Haus, Peligroso, Grind, Piehole 
and John Begg.

References to the group include Diageo 

plc and its consolidated subsidiaries. 

Russia, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Africa, Latin 
America and Caribbean, and Asia Pacific 
(excluding Australia, Korea and Japan). 

References to reserve brands include, but 
are not limited to, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, 
Johnnie Walker Green Label, Johnnie Walker 
Gold Label Reserve, Johnnie Walker Aged 18 
Years, John Walker & Sons Collection, Johnnie 
Walker The Gold Route, Johnnie Walker The 
Royal Route and other Johnnie Walker super 
premium brands; Roe & Co; The Singleton, 
Cardhu, Talisker, Lagavulin and other 
malt brands; Buchanan’s Special Reserve, 
Buchanan’s Red Seal; Bulleit Bourbon, 
Bulleit Rye; Tanqueray No. TEN, Tanqueray 
Malacca Gin; Cîroc, Ketel One vodka; Don 
Julio, Casamigos, Zacapa, Bundaberg SDlx, 
Shui Jing Fang, Jinzu gin, Haig Club whisky, 
Orphan Barrel whiskey and DeLeón Tequila. 

STRATEGIC REPORTDIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019Definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures 6566 

Board of Directors and Company Secretary

Javier Ferrán
Chairman3*
Nationality:  
Spanish

Ivan Menezes
Chief Executive2*
Nationality: 
American/British

Kathryn 
Mikells
Chief Financial 
Officer2
Nationality:  
American

Appointed Chairman and Chairman of 
the Nomination Committee: January 2017 
(Appointed Chairman Designate and Non-
Executive Director: July 2016)
Key strengths: Brings extensive board-level 
experience from the drinks and consumer 
products industry, including at chief executive 
level, and has a wealth of experience in 
consumer goods through his venture capital 
activities to draw from in his role as Chairman 
and leader of the Board
Current external appointments: Non-
Executive Director, International Consolidated 
Airlines Group, S.A., Coca-Cola European 
Partners plc; Member, Advisory Board of 
ESADE Business School; Advisor, BlackRock 
Long Term Private Capital
Previous relevant experience: Non-Executive 
Director and Senior Independent Director, 
Associated British Foods plc; President and 
CEO, Bacardi Limited; Non-Executive Director, 
SABMiller plc

Appointed Chief Executive: July 2013 
(Appointed Executive Director: July 2012)
Key strengths: Has extensive experience 
of over 20 years with the Diageo group at 
operational and leadership levels and the 
consumer products industry, which brings 
valuable insight to lead the Group and 
implement the strategy
Current external appointments: Vice 
Chairman of the Council, Scotch Whisky 
Association; Non-Executive Director, 
Tapestry Inc.; Member of the Global Advisory 
Board, Kellogg School of Management, 
Northwestern University; Chairman, Movement 
to Work; Chair, International Alliance for 
Responsible Drinking, CEO Group
Previous Diageo roles: Chief Operating 
Officer; President, North America; Chairman, 
Diageo Asia Pacific; Chairman, Diageo Latin 
America and Caribbean; senior management 
positions, Guinness and then Diageo
Previous relevant experience: marketing and 
strategy roles, Nestlé, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. 
and Whirlpool

Appointed Chief Financial Officer and 
Executive Director: November 2015
Key strengths: Brings skills and experience 
from finance-based roles to effectively 
manage the group’s affairs relating to 
accounting, tax, treasury and investor 
relations, as well as commercial experience 
to the Board’s discussions
Current external appointments: Non-
Executive Director and Audit Committee 
Chair, The Hartford Financial Services Group, 
Inc.; Member of the Main Committee, 100 
Group of Finance Directors
Previous relevant experience: Corporate 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial 
Officer, Xerox Corporation; Senior Vice 
President and Chief Financial Officer, ADT 
Corporation; Executive Vice President 
and Chief Financial Officer, Nalco Holding 
Company; Executive Vice President and CFO, 
UAL Corporation

Lord Davies 
of Abersoch
Senior Independent 
Director1,3,4
Nationality: British

Debra Crew
Non-Executive 
Director1,3,4
Nationality:  
American

Susan Kilsby
Non-Executive 
Director1,3,4*
Nationality: 
American/British

Appointed Senior Independent Director: 
October 2011 (Appointed Non-Executive 
Director: September 2010)
Key strengths: Has extensive commercial 
board-level experience, including at chief 
executive and chairman levels, as well as in 
emerging markets in Africa and Asia-Pacific 
and governmental matters as a former UK 
government minister
Current external appointments: Partner 
and Chairman, Corsair Capital LLC; Chairman, 
LetterOne Holdings S.A., Lawn Tennis 
Association Limited; Adviser, Teneo Holdings; 
Chairman, UK India Business Council, Member 
of Executive Committee, World Rugby
Previous relevant experience: Minister for 
Trade, Investment and Small Business for the 
UK Government; Chairman and Group Chief 
Executive, Standard Chartered PLC

Appointed Non-Executive Director: April 2019
Key strengths: Brings wide commercial 
experience across different consumer 
products businesses, including at chief 
executive level and in highly regulated markets
Current external appointments: Non-
Executive Director, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., 
Newell Brands, Mondelēz International
Previous relevant experience: President and 
CEO of Reynolds American, Inc; President, 
PepsiCo North America Nutrition, PepsiCo 
Americas Beverages, Western Europe Region; 
various positions with Kraft Foods, Nestlé 
S.A., and Mars

Appointed Non-Executive Director: April 2018 
(Appointed Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee: January 2019)
Key strengths: Brings wide-ranging corporate 
governance and board-level experience across 
a number of industries, including a consumer 
goods sector focus, with particular expertise in 
mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance 
and transaction advisory work
Current external appointments: Non-
Executive Director, Unilever PLC, Unilever N.V., 
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc., BHP 
Group Plc, BHP Group Limited; Member, the 
Takeover Panel
Previous relevant experience: Senior 
Independent Director, BBA Aviation plc; 
Chairman, Shire plc, Mergers and Acquisitions 
EMEA, Credit Suisse; Senior Advisor, Credit 
Suisse; Non-Executive Director, Goldman 
Sachs International, Keurig Green Mountain, 
L’Occitane International, Coca-Cola HBC

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

67

Ho KwonPing
Non-Executive 
Director1,3,4
Nationality:  
Singaporean

Nicola 
Mendelsohn
Non-Executive 
Director1,3,4
Nationality: British

Board diversity 
As at 30 June 2019

Board composition

67% 22% 11%

 Non-Executive Directors
 Executive Directors 
 Non-Executive Chairman

Tenure of Non-Executive 
Directors

0-3 years

3-6 years

6-9 years

33.3%

33.3%

33.3%

Gender diversity

44%

Female

56%

Male

Appointed Non-Executive Director:  
October 2012
Key strengths: Brings extensive commercial 
and entrepreneurial experience of operating in 
emerging markets, in particular in Asia-Pacific, 
as well as in various consumer-facing industries 
such as retail banking, airlines and hospitality
Current external appointments: Executive 
Chairman and Founder, Banyan Tree Holdings 
Limited; Chairman, Laguna Resorts & Hotels 
Public Company Limited (a subsidiary of 
Banyan Tree Holdings Limited) and Thai Wah 
Public Company Limited (each such company 
being owned or ultimately controlled by 
Ho KwonPing’s family); Chairman of Board of 
Trustees, Singapore Management University
Previous relevant experience: Member, 
Global Advisory Board of Moelis & Company; 
Chairman, MediaCorp Pte. Ltd; Non-Executive 
Director, Singapore Airlines Limited, Singapore 
Power Limited and Standard Chartered PLC

Alan  
Stewart
Non-Executive 
Director1*,3,4
Nationality: British

Appointed Non-Executive Director: 
September 2014 (Appointed Chairman 
of the Audit Committee: January 2017)
Key strengths: Has a strong background 
in financial, investment banking and 
commercial matters, with particular 
expertise in consumer retail industries, 
as well as board and committee level 
experience at industry institutions
Current external appointments: Chief 
Financial Officer, Tesco PLC; Non-Executive 
Director, Tesco Bank; Member of the 
Advisory Board, Chartered Institute of 
Management Accountants; Member of the 
Main Committee & Chairman of Pension 
Committee, 100 Group of Finance Directors
Previous relevant experience: Chief 
Financial Officer, Marks & Spencer, AWAS; 
Non-Executive Director, Games Workshop 
plc; Group Finance Director, WH Smith plc; 
Chief Executive, Thomas Cook UK

Appointed Non-Executive Director: 
September 2014
Key strengths: Has specialist knowledge and 
understanding of consumer-facing emerging 
technologies, cyber security and data issues, 
as well as having wide experience of board 
and committee level appointments across 
diverse commercial, governmental and 
charitable institutions, as well as advisory 
roles in advertising and production of 
consumer goods
Current external appointments: Vice 
President, Facebook EMEA; Co-President, 
Norwood; Member, Mayor’s Business 
Advisory Board; Member, HMG Industrial 
Strategy Council
Previous relevant experience: Executive 
Chairman, Karmarama; Deputy Chairman, 
Grey London; Board Director, BBH and 
Fragrance Foundation; President, Institute of 
Practitioners in Advertising; Director, Women’s 
Prize for Fiction; Co-Chair, Creative Industries 
Council; Board Member, CEW; Trustee, White 
Ribbon Alliance; Chair of the Corporate 
Board, Women’s Aid

Siobhán Moriarty
General Counsel & Company Secretary
See page 68 for further details.

Departures since 1 July 2018
Peggy Bruzelius and Betsy Holden 
ceased to be Non-Executive Directors on 
20 September 2018.

Key to committees
1. Audit 
2. Executive (comprising senior management) 
3. Nomination 
4. Remuneration 
*  Chairman of the committee

GOVERNANCE  
68 

Executive Committee

David Cutter
President, Global Supply 
and Procurement
Appointed: July 2014 
Nationality: Australian

Previous Diageo roles: Supply Director, International 
Supply Centre; President, Supply Americas; Supply 
Director, Asia Pacific

Previous relevant experience: leadership roles, 
Frito-Lay and SC Johnson

Current external appointments: Member of the 
Council, Scotch Whisky Association

John Kennedy
President, Diageo 
Europe, Russia, Turkey 
and India
Appointed: July 2016
Nationality: American

Previous Diageo roles: President, Europe and Western 
Europe; Chief Operating Officer, Western Europe; 
Marketing Director, Australia; General Manager for 
Innovation, North America; President and Chief Executive 
Officer, Diageo Canada; Managing Director, Diageo Ireland

Siobhán Moriarty
General Counsel & 
Company Secretary
Appointed General 
Counsel: July 2013
Appointed Company 
Secretary: August 2018
Nationality: Irish

Previous Diageo roles: General Counsel Designate; 
Corporate M&A Counsel; Regional Counsel Ireland; 
General Counsel Europe

Previous relevant experience: brand management 
roles, GlaxoSmithKline and Quaker Oats

Previous relevant experience: various positions in law 
firm private practice, Dublin and London

Sam Fischer
President, Diageo 
Greater China and Asia
Appointed: September 2014
Nationality: Australian

Anand Kripalu
CEO, United Spirits Limited
Appointed: September 
2014
Nationality: Indian

Previous Diageo roles: Managing Director, Diageo 
Greater China; Managing Director of South East Asia, 
Diageo Asia Pacific; General Manager, Diageo IndoChina 
and Vietnam

Previous relevant experience: Senior management 
roles across Central Europe and Indochina, 
Colgate Palmolive

Previous Diageo roles: CEO-designate, United Spirits 
Limited

Previous relevant experience: Various management 
roles at Mondelēz International, Cadbury and Unilever

Current external appointments: Member  
of the Board of Governors, Indian Institute of 
Management, Jammu

Victoria Frame
Group Strategy Director
Appointed: May 2017
Nationality: British

Previous relevant experience: MD International and 
Chief Marketing Officer, Barry’s Bootcamp; Partner, Bain & 
Company; Roles at Marakon Associates and CITI

Brian Franz
Chief Productivity Officer
Appointed: August 2015
Nationality: American/
British

Previous Diageo roles: CIO and Head of GDBS, IS Services

Previous relevant experience: Senior Vice President 
and CIO, PepsiCo International; Commercial CIO, various 
CIO and management roles, General Electric

Alberto Gavazzi
President, Diageo Latin 
America and Caribbean, 
Global Travel & 
Sales Opex
Appointed: July 2013
Nationality: Brazilian/Italian

Previous Diageo roles: Managing Director, West Latin 
America and Caribbean; Global Category Director 
Whiskey, Gins and Reserve Brands; General Manager 
Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay; Vice President Consumer 
Marketing, Chicago; Marketing Director, Brazil

Previous relevant experience: Colgate-Palmolive; 
Unilever PLC

Deirdre Mahlan
President, Diageo North 
America
Appointed: December 2015
Nationality: American

Previous Diageo roles: Chief Financial Officer and 
Executive Director; Deputy Chief Financial Officer; 
Head of Tax and Treasury

Previous relevant experience: Member, Main 
Committee, 100 Group of Finance Directors; senior 
finance positions, Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc.; 
Senior manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Current external appointments: Non-Executive 
Director, Experian plc

Daniel Mobley
Corporate Relations 
Director
Appointed: June 2017
Nationality: British

Previous Diageo roles: Corporate Relations Director, 
Europe

Previous relevant experience: Regional Head of 
Corporate Affairs India & South Asia, Regional Head of 
Corporate Affairs Africa, Group Head of Government 
Relations, Standard Chartered; Extensive government 
experience including in HM Treasury and Foreign & 
Commonwealth Office

Current external appointments: Non-Executive 
Director, Friends Board of the Royal Academy of Arts; 
Board Member, European General Counsel Association

Mairéad Nayager
Human Resources Director
Appointed: October 2015
Nationality: Irish

Previous Diageo roles: HR Director, Diageo Europe; HR 
Director, Brandhouse, South Africa; HR Director, Diageo 
Africa Regional Markets; Talent & Organisational 
Effectiveness Director, Diageo Africa; Employee Relations 
Manager, Diageo Ireland

Previous relevant experience: Irish Business and 
Employers’ Confederation

John O’Keeffe
President, Diageo Africa
Appointed: July 2015
Nationality: Irish

Previous Diageo roles: CEO and Managing Director, 
Guinness Nigeria; Global Head, Innovation; Global Head, 
Beer and Baileys; Managing Director Russia and 
Eastern Europe; various general management and 
marketing positions

Syl Saller
Chief Marketing Officer
Appointed: July 2013
Nationality: American/
British

Previous Diageo roles: Global Innovation Director; 
Marketing Director, Diageo Great Britain

Previous relevant experience: brand management 
and marketing roles, Allied Domecq PLC, Gillette 
Company and Holson Burnes Group, Inc; Non-Executive 
Director, Domino’s Pizza Group plc

Executive Committee diversity

Gender (as at 30 June 2019)

 Female  40%         

 Male  60%

Nationality

 Australian  13% 
 British  13% 
 American/British  20% 
 Brazilian/Italian  7% 

 American  20% 
 Indian  7% 
 Irish  20% 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

 Corporate governance report 

69

Corporate governance report

Letter from the Chairman of the Board of Directors

Over the course of the year, there have been a number of changes 
in the Board’s membership. In September 2018, Peggy Bruzelius 
and Betsy Holden stepped down as Non-Executive Directors after 
nine years of service on the Board. We are very grateful for their wise 
guidance and contribution to Diageo over that period. In December 
2018, we announced that Ursula Burns, who had been expected to 
join the Board, would not take up her appointment as Non-Executive 
Director in light of her continuing other commitments. In April 2019, 
we welcomed Debra Crew as an additional Non-Executive Director, 
bringing her strong experience in the consumer goods business and 
as a former chief executive to the Board’s range of skills and experience. 
Debra is undergoing an induction process and we look forward to her 
contributions to Board discussions as she settles into her role.

The Board believes that Diageo’s governance structure and 
processes underpin our ability to deliver our strategy and create 
sustainable long-term value and benefit for shareholders and 
other stakeholders. We are firmly of the view that the benefits of 
good corporate governance ensure that our business practices are 
sustainable and of benefit to wider society.

Javier Ferrán
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Board I am delighted to present the corporate 
governance report for the year ended 30 June 2019. The Board’s role 
is to promote the long-term sustainable success of Diageo and the 
delivery of long-term, sustainable value for shareholders in a manner 
which contributes positively to wider society. It is the responsibility 
of the Board to ensure that high standards of ethical behaviour and 
corporate governance are maintained throughout Diageo.

It is very clear from both public and private discussions that board 

governance, corporate behaviour and responsibility, environmental 
sustainability and stakeholder engagement are of critical importance 
to a board and its decision-making processes. Details of our 
governance structure and processes are set out on pages 70 and 71, 
but to summarise, your Board is well balanced, comprising individuals 
from a diverse range of experience, skills and backgrounds, and which 
provides independent, effective and entrepreneurial leadership within 
the framework of a strong company purpose and values-led culture. 
This was confirmed by the results of our annual Board evaluation 
exercise, which was conducted in November 2018 through an internal 
process which is further described on page 73.

The regulatory framework has continued to evolve over the year, 
especially with the introduction of the new UK Corporate Governance 
Code in July 2018 (the new Code) which places increased emphasis on 
corporate culture, purpose and values which are critical to ensure long-
term sustainable success. In light of these developments, the Board 
has taken the opportunity to review and refresh its existing processes 
against provisions introduced by the new Code. In many respects, 
these additional provisions require no change to our existing practices. 
For example, the role of corporate purpose in ensuring effective 
culture and employee engagement has been a deeply engrained 
part of Diageo’s culture for a number of years. In other areas, we are 
looking to develop and formalise existing practices. For example, we 
have considered how we interact with different stakeholder groups 
and it is our aim to maintain an open and positive dialogue with all 
of our stakeholders. To this end, I have been nominated to serve as 
designated non-executive director for workforce engagement, in 
which role I engage closely with the Diageo workforce to understand 
their views and present them to the Board, as principal point of contact 
between the Board and the workforce. I look forward immensely to 
developing this aspect of my role. Further details of how the Board 
engages with different stakeholder groups are set out on page 74.

GOVERNANCE70 

The principal corporate governance rules applying to Diageo (as a UK 
company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE)) for the year 
ended 30 June 2019 are contained in the UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2016 (the Code) and the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) 
Listing Rules, which require us to describe, in our Annual Report, 
our corporate governance from two points of view: the first dealing 
generally with our application of the Code’s main principles and the 
second dealing specifically with non-compliance with any of the 
Code’s provisions. The two descriptions together are designed to give 
shareholders a picture of governance arrangements in relation to the 
Code as a criterion of good practice.

A copy of the Code is publicly available on the website of the 

Financial Reporting Council (FRC), www.frc.org.uk. 

Diageo can confirm that it has complied with all relevant provisions 
set out in the Code throughout the year, except that Ho KwonPing was 
unable to attend the company’s 2018 AGM. This resulted in partial non-
compliance with code provision E.2.3.

Diageo must also comply with corporate governance rules 

contained in the FCA Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules as 
well as certain related provisions in the Companies Act 2006 (the Act).

As well as being subject to UK legislation and practice, as 

a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Diageo is 
subject to the listing requirements of the NYSE and the rules of the US 
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as they apply to foreign 
private issuers. Compliance with the provisions of the US Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX), as it applies to foreign private issuers, is 
continually monitored.

As Diageo follows UK corporate governance practice, differences 

from the NYSE corporate governance standards are summarised in 
Diageo’s 20-F filing and on our website at www.diageo.com/en-row/
ourbusiness/aboutus/corporategovernance.

Board of Directors
Composition of the Board
The Board is comprised of the Non-Executive Chairman, two Executive 
Directors, the Senior Independent Director, and five independent 
Non-Executive Directors. The biographies of all Directors and the 
members of the Executive Committee are set out in this Annual Report 
on pages 66 to 68.

Inclusion and diversity
Valuing inclusion and diversity is one of the core principles of Diageo’s 
global Human Rights Policy which applies to all employees, subsidiaries 
and third party contractors and which has been implemented as 
part of our Code of Business Conduct programme. Our objective is 
to maintain and sustain an inclusive and diverse business in order to 
create a better working environment and a better performing business.
Diageo strongly supports diversity within its Board of Directors, 
including gender, age and professional diversity, as well as diversity of 
thought. The Board is comprised of individuals from a diverse range of 
skills, industries, backgrounds and nationalities, which enables a broad 
evaluation of all matters considered by the Board and contributes to 
a culture of collaborative and constructive discussion. In particular, 
women currently make up 44% of the Board and 40% of the Executive 
Committee. Further information is given in the sections of this Annual 
Report on sustainability & responsibility, our people, and on the 
communities section of the Chairman’s statement and the trusted and 
respected section of the Chief Executive’s statement.

Duties of the Board
The Board manages overall control of the company’s affairs with 
reference to the formal schedule of matters reserved for the Board 
for decision. The schedule was last reviewed in July 2019 and is 
available at www.diageo.com/en-row/ourbusiness/aboutus/ 
corporate governance.

The Board has agreed an approach and adopted guidelines for 
dealing with conflicts of interest and responsibility for authorising 
conflicts of interest is included in the schedule of matters reserved for 
the Board. The Board confirmed that it was not aware of any situations 
that may or did give rise to conflicts with the interests of the company 
other than those that may arise from Directors’ other appointments as 
disclosed in their biographies.

In order to fulfil their duties, procedures are in place for Directors 
to seek both independent advice and the advice and services of the 
Company Secretary who is responsible for advising the Board, through 
the Chairman, on all governance matters. The Non-Executive Directors 
meet without management present, and also meet with the Chairman 
without management present, on a regular basis.

The terms of reference of Board Committees are reviewed regularly, most 
recently in May 2019, and are available at www.diageo.com/en/our-business/
corporate-governance.

Corporate governance structure
The Board has established a corporate governance framework as 
shown below. This includes the three Board Committees (Audit 
Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee), 
as well as management committees which report to the Chief 
Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer (Executive Committee, 
Filings Assurance Committee, Finance Committee and Audit & 
Risk Committee).

Further details on the Board Committees can be found in the 
separate reports from each Committee on pages 77 to 101, and details 
of the Executive Committee can be found on page 74.

Nomination 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Diageo
Board

Audit 
Committee

Filings 
Assurance 
Committee

Executive 
Committee

Chief 
Executive has 
delegated 
authority to these 
Committees

Finance 
Committee

Audit & Risk 
Committee

Business 
unit risk 
management

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

 Corporate governance report 

71

Division of responsibilities
There is a clear separation of the roles of the Chairman and the Chief Executive which has been clearly established, set out in writing and agreed 
by the Board. No individual or group dominates the Board’s decision-making processes. The following sets out the division of responsibilities 
of the Board:

Leadership
Chairman
Javier Ferrán

•  Responsible for the operation, leadership and governance 

of the Board

•  Ensures all Directors are fully informed of matters and 

receives precise, timely and clear information sufficient to 
make informed judgements

•  Sets Board agendas and ensures sufficient time is allocated 

to ensure effective debate to support sound 
decision making

•  Ensures the effectiveness of the Board

•  Engages in discussions with shareholders

•  Meets with the Non-Executive Directors independently 

of the Executive Directors

Chief Executive
Ivan Menezes

•  Develops the group’s strategic direction for consideration 

and approval by the Board 

•  Implements the strategy agreed by the Board

•  Manages the company and the group

•  Along with the CFO, leads discussions with investors

•  Is supported in his role by the Executive Committee

•  Is supported by the Filings Assurance Committee in the 
management of financial reporting of the company

Chief Financial Officer
Kathryn Mikells

•  Manages all aspects of the group’s financial affairs

•  Responsible for the management of the capital structure 

of the company

•  Contributes to the management of the group’s operations

•  Along with the CEO, leads discussions with investors

•  Is supported by the Finance Committee and Filings 

Assurance Committee in the management  
of the financial affairs and reporting  
of the company

Independent oversight and rigorous challenge
Non-Executive Directors
Debra Crew, Ho KwonPing, Susan Kilsby, 
Nicola Mendelsohn and Alan Stewart
The Non-Executive Directors, all of whom the Board has 
determined are independent, experienced and influential 
individuals from a diverse range of industries, backgrounds 
and countries. The independence of Ho KwonPing, who has 
served on the Board for over six years, has been the subject 
of a rigorous review.

•  Constructively challenge the Executive Directors

•  Develop proposals on strategy

•  Scrutinise the performance of management

•  Satisfy themselves on the integrity of the financial 

information, controls and systems of risk management

•  Set the levels of remuneration for Executive Directors and 

senior management

•  Make recommendations to the Board concerning 

appointments to the Board

•  Devote such time as is necessary to the proper 

performance of their duties

A summary of the terms and conditions of appointment of the 
Non-Executive Directors is available at www.diageo.com/
en-row/ourbusiness/aboutus/corporategovernance.

Senior Independent Director
Lord Davies of Abersoch

•  Acts as a sounding board for the Chairman and serves as 
an intermediary for the other Directors where necessary

•  Together with the other Non-Executive Directors, leads the 
review of the performance of the Chairman, taking into 
account the views of the Executive Directors

•  Available to shareholders if they have concerns where the 

contact through the normal channels has failed

The independence of Lord Davies, who has served on 
the Board for over six years, has been the subject of a 
rigorous review.

Company Secretary
Siobhán Moriarty

•  Supports the Chairman in setting the agenda for Board meetings

•  Ensures information is made available to Board members in a timely fashion

•  Supports the Chairman in designing and delivering Board inductions

•  Co-ordinates training requirements for the Board and individual Board members

•  Advises on corporate governance matters

GOVERNANCE72 

Board activities
Details of the Board’s main areas of focus during the year are summarised below. 

Area of focus

Strategic matters

Operational matters

Stakeholders

•  Held the Annual Strategy Conference in Scotland at which the group’s strategy was considered in-depth, including visiting distilling sites
•  Regularly reviewed the group’s performance against the strategy
•  Received reports on the financial performance of the group
•  Visited the group’s operations in China, which included receiving reports from management and visiting various office and production facility sites
•  Reviewed the group’s tax strategic planning
•  Reviewed the impact of e-commerce, US route to consumer and the future of marketing

•  Reviewed and approved the annual funding plan, insurance, banking and capital expenditure requirements
•  Reviewed the impact of global trade developments and disputes
•  Reviewed the impact of Brexit and mitigation planning for Brexit and other related risks
•  Regularly reviewed the group’s business development activities and projects
•  Approved various significant procurement and other contracts
•  Reviewed the company’s innovation pipeline
•  Approved significant property developments and office relocations
•  Visited the company Customer Collaboration Centre in London

•  Reviewed the company’s Positive Drinking strategy
•  Considered the company’s culture
•  Reviewed and approved the company’s return of capital policy, including its share buyback programmes
•  Approved and implemented a new framework for workforce engagement
•  Reviewed the company’s talent strategy, diversity policy and development programmes
•  Reviewed the company’s sustainability and environmental strategy
•  Reviewed the company’s key pensions governance and funding positions
•  Received regular investor reports
•  Invited Sir Jonathon Porritt to give a presentation on environmental sustainability

Governance, 
assurance and risk 
management

•  Received reports on the work of the various Board Committees
•  Received regular reports in relation to material legal matters
•  Agreed actions from the evaluation of the Board’s performance
•  Approved the appointment of a new Non-Executive Director
•  Reviewed the requirements under the FRC 2018 Corporate Governance Code
•  Reviewed and approved new terms of reference for the Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee, Nomination Committee and Routine 

Business Committee

•  Reviewed and approved the schedule of matters reserved for the Board 
•  Reviewed and approved the company’s financial reporting

Board attendance
Directors’ attendance record at the AGM, scheduled Board meetings and Board Committee meetings, for the year ended 30 June 2019 is set out in 
the table below. For Board and Board Committee meetings, attendance is expressed as the number of meetings attended out of the number that 
each Director was eligible to attend. Where Directors were unable to attend a meeting, they gave their views to the Chairmen of the respective 
meeting ahead of that meeting being held.

Javier Ferrán

Ivan Menezes

Kathryn Mikells

Lord Davies(ii)

Debra Crew

Susan Kilsby

Ho KwonPing(ii)

Nicola Mendelsohn(ii)

Alan Stewart

Former Directors

Peggy B Bruzelius(iii)

Betsy D Holden(iii)

Annual General 
Meeting 2018

Board  
(maximum 6)

Audit  
Committee 
(maximum 4)

Nomination 
Committee 
(maximum 3)

Remuneration 
Committee 
(maximum 5)

√

√

√

√

n/a

√

X

√

√

√

√

6/6

6/6

6/6

5/6

1/1

6/6

5/6

5/6

6/6

2/2

2/2

4/4(i)

2/4(i)

4/4(i)

3/4

1/1

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

1/1

1/1

3/3

3/3(i)

1/3(i)

3/3

1/1

3/3

2/3

2/3

3/3

1/1

1/1

4/5(i)

5/5(i)

2/5(i)

4/5

2/2

5/5

4/5

5/5

5/5

1/1

1/1

(i)  Attended by invitation.
(ii)  Where Non-Executive Directors were unable to attend a meeting, they gave their views to the Chairman of the respective meeting ahead of the meeting being held.
(iii)  Retired from the Board on 20 September 2018.

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73

Performance evaluation
In November 2018, an evaluation of the Board’s effectiveness, including 
the effectiveness of the Chairman and the Board’s Committees, was 
undertaken with the assistance of the Company Secretary. The primary 
focus of the 2018 evaluation was to review and evaluate how the 
Board and its Committees operate as measured against current best 
practice corporate governance principles, framed by reference to the 
Code and Principle L and Provisions 21, 22 and 23 of the new Code. 
The evaluation was also conducted with reference to the detailed 
guidance as to the optimal Board evaluation process set out in Section 
3 of the FRC’s ‘Guidance on Board Effectiveness’ issued in July 2018. The 
evaluation was also designed to build on the outcome of the externally 
facilitated evaluation carried out in November 2017, whose findings 
were summarised in last year’s Corporate Governance report.

The evaluation process comprised an initial questionnaire for all 
Directors to complete and return, followed by individual meetings 
between the Chairman and each Director where required (or, in the 
case of the Chairman himself, a meeting between the Chairman and 
the Senior Independent Director). The questionnaire was sub-divided 
into four sections focussing respectively on Board composition and 
processes, Board effectiveness, behaviours and performance, individual 

Directors’ performance and Committees’ performance. Responses 
to all questions were sent to the Chairman and responses to the 
specific questions in respect of the Chairman was sent to the Senior 
Independent Director. In addition, responses on the effectiveness 
of the Committees were submitted to the respective Committee 
chairmen. The results of the evaluation process were reviewed by the 
Board at its meeting in December 2018 at which various actions were 
agreed to be taken.

It is the Board’s intention to continue to review annually its 
performance and that of its Committees and individual directors, 
with such evaluation being carried out by an external facilitator 
every three years. The evaluation to be undertaken in 2019 will be 
undertaken internally.

The Chairman has confirmed that the Non-Executive Directors 

standing for re-election at this year’s AGM continue to perform 
effectively, both individually and collectively as a Board, and that each 
demonstrate commitment to their roles. With regards to the re-
election of Lord Davies, further details are provided in the Nomination 
Committee report on page 79.

The main conclusions and key areas for focus as highlighted by the 

2018 evaluation are as follows:

Board composition and processes
Main conclusions

Key areas for focus

•  With recent retirement of two Non-Executive Directors, there was a current imbalance 

•  Recruitment of at least one additional Non-Executive Director of appropriate quality, 

between the number of Executive and Non-Executive Directors

•  Need to ensure prospective new members of Board to have adequate industry 

experience and come from a variety of geographical backgrounds
•  Clear desire to maintain and enhance Board’s positive gender diversity
•  Positive induction processes noted with more focus needed on addressing Board’s 

experience and background, with a view to ensuring appropriate diversity 
on the Board

•  Review succession planning and pipeline of both executive and non-executive roles
•  Identify ongoing training and development opportunities for Board members
•  Review pre-read and presentation format to strike balance between adequate 

ongoing development requirements

detail and brevity

•  Strong effective support is provided by Company Secretary and team, with good 

•  Provide for review and refresh of future Board agenda items through the year to 

balance between scheduled and ad hoc meetings

enable flexibility

•  Improvements in annual strategy conference agenda and topics were noted

Board effectiveness, behaviours and performance 
Main conclusions

Key areas for focus

•  Strong support for collective performance of the Board, its effectiveness 

•  Continuing shaping of agenda and Board focus on highest value at stake 

and behaviours

opportunities and risks

•  Board has been effective in anticipating emerging or external factors and trends, and 

needs to continue this focus over time

•  Steps have been taken to adequately address conclusions of the prior year’s Board 

evaluation report

•  Continued vigilance in identifying and adapting to long-term trends and challenges
•  Identifying additional opportunities for outside-in engagement, to drive more external 

perspectives on areas of opportunity and threat for long-term, and to provide 
strengthened development opportunities for Board members

•  Improvements noted in addressing strategic, long-term issues while maintaining 

•  Reviewing Board papers and processes to ensure maintenance of highest standards 

oversight of performance, controls and risk

of governance in line with latest developments in this area

•  Open and challenging discussions have had direct positive impact on 

•  Taking steps to ensure continued culture of transparency and constructive debate 

decision making

within the Board following appointment of new members

Directors’ performance and effectiveness 
Main conclusions

Key areas for focus

•  Strong support for performance, leadership tone and effectiveness of Chairman and 

•  Ensure prospective new members of the Board fit well within the current culture 

Senior Independent Director

of transparency and openness

•  There is a clear division of responsibilities between Chairman and Chief Executive 

with complementary experience and skill sets

Committees’ performance and effectiveness 
Main conclusions

Key areas for focus

•  Performance of Audit and Remuneration Committees in particular is consistently 

strong, with clear and well defined remits and agendas

•  For the Audit Committee, improved focus on risk management
•  For the Remuneration Committee, maintaining close oversight of executive 

•  Performance of Nomination Committee has improved with clearer understanding 

remuneration and reward trends internationally and in the UK

of talent pipeline, requisite skill set and recruitment processes, although this requires 
embedding over time

•  For the Nomination Committee, ensuring and strengthening pipeline of talent and 

succession planning

•  For Committees generally, ensuring that their remit is reviewed and refreshed 

periodically, as governance and best practice evolves

GOVERNANCERelations with shareholders
The Board’s primary contact with institutional shareholders is through 
the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Executive 
and Chief Financial Officer are supported by the investor relations 
department, who are in regular contact with institutional shareholders 
and sell-side analysts. In May 2019, the Chairman, Chief Executive and 
Chief Financial Officer attended the company’s Capital Markets Day 
at which they and other of the company’s executives presented to 
approximately 130 investors and analysts. A monthly investor relations 
report, including coverage of the company by sell-side analysts, is 
circulated to the Board.

The Board also ensures that all Directors develop an understanding 
of the views of major institutional shareholders through an independent 
survey of shareholder opinion. In addition, major shareholders are 
invited to raise any company matters of interest to them at meetings 
with the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee. Reports on any meetings are made to the Board.

Shareholders are invited to write to the Chairman or any other 
Director and express their views on any issues of concern at any time 
and the AGM provides an opportunity for shareholders to put their 
questions in person.

Executive direction and control
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee, appointed and chaired by the Chief 
Executive, supports him in discharging his responsibility for 
implementing the strategy agreed by the Board and for managing the 
company and the group.

It consists of the individuals responsible for the key operational and 

functional components of the business: North America, Europe and 
Turkey, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, Asia Pacific, International 
Supply Centre and Corporate.

The Executive Committee focuses its time and agenda to align with 

the Performance Ambition and how to achieve Diageo’s financial and 
non-financial performance objectives. Performance metrics have been 
developed to measure progress. There is also focus on the company’s 
reputation. In support, monthly performance delivery calls, involving 
the senior leadership group, focus on current performance.

Committees appointed by the Chief Executive and intended to 
have an ongoing remit, including the Audit & Risk Committee, Finance 
Committee and Filings Assurance Committee are shown (with their 
remits) at www.diageo.com/en-row/ourbusiness/aboutus/
corporategovernance.

74 

Workforce engagement
At its meeting in December 2018, the Board agreed that the Chairman 
would be responsible for workforce engagement, given that he is best 
positioned to engage with the workforce frequently, through visits to 
the markets in which Diageo operates and at its UK work locations. 
In line with the new Code, it is intended that the Chairman will utilise 
existing engagement structures and processes to regularly engage 
with a broad representation of the workforce, to include, but not 
limited to, town hall meetings on regional and market visits, visits to 
manufacturing sites, attendance at employee engagement forums 
and employee resource group meetings from time to time in various 
markets, review of engagement survey results, in addition to holding 
‘skip level’ meetings with key talent. 

Accordingly, during the year, the Chairman has accompanied 

various members of the Diageo Executive Committee when engaging 
with employee representatives through the above structures. The 
Chairman has visited office and production facility sites in the UK, 
China, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya and North America. He has also 
conducted skip level meetings with key talent. In addition, the 
company has put in place appropriate reporting frameworks so 
that relevant feedback from existing forums such as the bi-annual 
engagement survey, digital sharing platforms and employee 
representative groups is conveyed to the Chairman via the Chief HR 
Officer. The Board has also agreed that workforce engagement would 
be discussed in detail at its meeting in July each year to commence 
in July 2020, which would enable engagement with the workforce in 
advance of executive remuneration decisions. It was also agreed that 
the Board will issue an annual ‘workforce engagement statement’ 
commencing in 2020, explaining how the Board has gathered and 
considered worker views from around the world, and how these views 
have been taken into account in the Board’s decision making.

Stakeholder engagement
Diageo’s culture and the nature of its business encourages the 
development of strong and positive relationships with external 
stakeholders, including business partners such as suppliers and 
customers, but also with government, consumers and the communities 
in which we operate. The Chief Executive and the Presidents are 
in regular contact with our principal customers, with performance 
updates being provided at all scheduled Board meetings. At least once 
a year, the Board meets in a location outside the UK during which 
it meets and receives feedback in person from key customers. For 
example, in October 2018 the Board met with representatives of its 
key customers in China and in the previous financial year the Board 
met key customers in India. See page 49 for further examples of how 
Diageo has engaged with suppliers.

Diageo’s purpose and values require that we make a positive 
contribution to society and the communities in which we operate. 
During the year, the Board has focused in particular on the company’s 
strategy to reduce the impact of its business on the environment 
and communities, including the progress made towards our 2020 
environmental targets, the progress made in water reuse and 
renewable energy in our African breweries, use of by-products from 
our distilleries in Scotland in energy generation, and improvements 
in packaging especially in relation to use of plastics. At its meeting in 
January 2019, the Board reviewed ambitious environmental targets 
beyond 2020 and hosted Sir Jonathon Porritt, who spoke to the Board 
on the subject. Further details of the company’s initiatives to reduce 
environmental impact can be found on pages 52 to 57.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

 Corporate governance report 

75

Additional information
Internal control and risk management
An ongoing process has been established for identifying, evaluating 
and managing risks faced by the group. This process, which complies 
with the requirements of the Code, has been in place for the full 
financial year and up to the date the financial statements were 
approved and accords with the guidance issued by the FRC in 
September 2014, Guidance on Risk management, Internal Control 
and related Financial and Business Reporting. The Board confirms 
that, through the activities of the Audit Committee described below, 
a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the company, 
including those that would threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity has been carried out. These risks 
and mitigations are set out above in the section of this Annual Report 
dealing with principal risks.

The Board acknowledges that it is responsible for the company’s 
systems of internal control and risk management and for reviewing 
their effectiveness. The Board confirms that, through the activities 
of the Audit Committee described below, it has reviewed the 
effectiveness of the company’s systems of internal control and 
risk management.

During the year, in line with the Code, the Board considered the 

nature and extent of the risks it was willing to take to achieve its 
strategic goals and reviewed the existing internal statement of risk 
appetite (which was considered and recommended to the Board 
by both the Audit & Risk Committee and the Audit Committee). 
In accordance with the Code, the Board has also considered the 
company’s longer term viability, based on a robust assessment of its 
principal risks. This was done through the work of the Audit Committee 
which recommended the Viability Statement (as set out on page 20) 
to the Board.

The company has in place internal control and risk management 
systems in relation to the company’s financial reporting process and 
the group’s process for preparation of consolidated accounts. Further, 
a review of the consolidated financial statements is completed by 
management through the Filings Assurance Committee to ensure 
that the financial position and results of the group are appropriately 
reflected. Further details of this are set out in the Audit Committee 
report on pages 77 and 78.

Compliance and ethics programme
Diageo is committed to conducting its business responsibly and in 
accordance with all laws and regulations to which its business activities 
are subject. We hold ourselves to the principles in our Code of Business 
Conduct, which is embedded through a comprehensive training and 
education programme for all employees.

Our Code of Business Conduct and other Diageo global policies 
are available at www.diageo.com/en-row/ourbusiness/aboutus/ 
corporategovernance.

In accordance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 
(and related SEC rules), Diageo has adopted a code of ethics covering 
its Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, Presidents and other 
identifiable persons in the group, including those performing senior 
accounting and controller functions. No amendments to, or waivers in 
respect of, the code of ethics were made during the year.

The full text of the code of ethics is available at www.diageo.com/

en-row/ourbusiness/aboutus/corporategovernance.

Both the Audit & Risk Committee and the Audit Committee regularly 
review the strategy and operation of the compliance and ethics 
programme through the year.

Further information is given in the ‘How we protect our business’ 

section of this Annual Report on page 21.

Political donations
The group has not given any money for political purposes in the 
United Kingdom and made no donations to EU political organisations 
and incurred no EU political expenditure during the year.

The group made contributions to non-EU political parties 
totalling £0.38 million during the year (2018 – £0.3 million). These 
contributions were made almost exclusively to federal and state 
candidate committees, state political parties and federal leadership 
committees in North America (consistent with applicable laws), where 
it is common practice to make political contributions. No particular 
political persuasion was supported and contributions were made 
with the aim of promoting a better understanding of the group and 
its views on commercial matters, as well as a generally improved 
business environment.

Going concern
The Directors confirm that, after making appropriate enquiries, they 
have reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence. Accordingly, they continue to adopt 
the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. 
Although not assessed over the same period as the going concern, 
the viability of the group has been assessed above.

Management’s report on internal control over 
financial reporting
Management, under the supervision of the Chief Executive and 
Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining 
adequate control over the group’s financial reporting. The Filings 
Assurance Committee supports the Chief Executive and Chief Financial 
Officer in ensuring the accuracy of the company’s financial reporting, 
filings and disclosures.

Management has assessed the effectiveness of Diageo’s internal 

control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13(a)-13(f) and 
15(d)-15(f) under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934) based on the 
framework in ‘Internal Control – Integrated Framework’, issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the Treadway Commission 
(COSO) in 2013. Based on this assessment, management concluded 
that, as at 30 June 2019, internal control over financial reporting 
was effective.

During the period covered by this report, there were no changes 
in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected 
or are reasonably likely to materially affect the effectiveness of internal 
control over financial reporting.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), an independent registered 

public accounting firm, who also audit the group’s consolidated 
financial statements, has audited the effectiveness of the group’s 
internal control over financial reporting, and has issued an unqualified 
report thereon, which is included in PwC’s integrated audit report 
below and which will be included in the company’s Form 20-F to be 
filed with the SEC.

GOVERNANCEResponsibility statement
The Directors consider that the annual report and accounts, taken 
as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the group and 
company’s position and performance, business model and strategy.
Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed on 

pages 66 and 67 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

•  the group financial statements, which have been prepared in 

accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB and as adopted for 
use in the European Union, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit of the group; and

•  the Directors’ report includes a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position of the group and 
company, together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that it faces. 

The responsibility statement was approved by the Board of Directors 
on 25 July 2019.

76 

Directors’ responsibilities in respect of the Annual 
Report and financial statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, the 
information filed with the SEC on Form 20-F and the group and 
parent company financial statements in accordance with applicable 
law and regulation. 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements 
for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared the 
group financial statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and 
company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards, comprising FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”, 
and applicable law). In preparing the group financial statements, 
the Directors have also elected to comply with IFRSs, issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Under company law 
the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they 
are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs 
of the group and company and of the profit or loss of the group and 
company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the 
Directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently;

•  state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European Union 

and IFRSs issued by IASB have been followed for the group financial 
statements and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising 
FRS 101, have been followed for the company financial statements, 
subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements;

•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent; and

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless 
it is inappropriate to presume that the group and company will 
continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records 
that are sufficient to show and explain the group and company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the group and company and enable them to 
ensure that the financial statements and the Directors’ remuneration 
report comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

The financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2019 are 
included in the Annual Report, which is published in printed form 
and made available on the company’s website. The Directors are 
responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Annual Report on 
the company’s website in accordance with UK legislation governing 
the preparation and dissemination of financial statements. Access 
to the website is available from outside the UK, where comparable 
legislation may be different. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

77

Audit Committee report

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Audit Committee I am pleased to present its report 
for the year ended 30 June 2019.

The purpose of this report is to describe how the Committee 
has carried out its responsibilities during the year. In overview, the 
role of the Audit Committee is to monitor and review: the integrity 
of the company’s financial statements; internal control and risk 
management; audit and risk programmes; business conduct and 
ethics; ‘whistleblowing’; and the appointment of the external auditor.
The work of the Committee during the year gave attention to 
all elements of its remit. Over the year, the Committee continued to 
focus on particular topics within the company’s risk management 
programme and emerging trends, including cyber security risks, 
global security trends, data management and migration risks, GDPR 
implementation, non-GAAP metrics and pensions governance.
As part of the annual Board evaluation, all members of the 
Audit Committee completed an evaluation of the Committee. This 
concluded that the performance of the Committee was consistently 
strong, with a clear and well defined remit and agenda. Further details 
of the evaluation can be found on page 73.

In discharging its duties, the Audit Committee seeks to balance 
independent oversight of the matters within its remit with providing 
support and guidance to management. I am confident that the 
Committee, supported by members of senior management and the 
external auditors, has carried out its duties in the year under review 
effectively and to a high standard.

Alan Stewart
Chairman of the Audit Committee

Role of the Audit Committee
The formal role of the Audit Committee is set out in its terms of 
reference, which are available at www.diageo.com/en-row/
ourbusiness/aboutus/corporategovernance. Key elements of the 
role of the Committee and work carried out during the year are set 
out as follows.

Composition of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee comprises Alan Stewart (Committee 
Chairman), Lord Davies, Debra Crew, Susan Kilsby, Ho KwonPing and 
Nicola Mendelsohn.

Financial statements
During the year, the Audit Committee met four times (and a sub-
committee met twice) and reviewed both the interim results 
announcement, which included the interim financial statements, 
and the annual reports and associated preliminary year end results 
announcement, focusing on key areas of judgement and complexity, 
critical accounting policies, provisioning and any changes required in 
these areas or policies.

The company has in place internal control and risk management 
systems in relation to the company’s financial reporting process and 
the group’s process for preparation of consolidated accounts. A review 
of the consolidated financial statements is completed by the Filings 
Assurance Committee (FAC) to ensure that the financial position and 
results of the group are appropriately reflected therein. In addition 
to reviewing draft financial statements for publication at the half and 
full year, the FAC is responsible for examining the company’s financial 
information and processes, the effectiveness of internal controls 
relating to financial reporting and disclosures, legal and compliance 
issues and determining whether the company’s disclosures are 
accurate and adequate. The FAC comprises the Chief Executive, the 
Chief Financial Officer, the group general counsel & company secretary, 
the group general counsel corporate, the group financial controller, 
the group chief accountant, the group technical accounting director, 
the head of investor relations, the head of Global Audit & Risk and the 
company’s external auditors. The Audit Committee reviewed the work 
of the FAC and a report on the conclusions of the FAC process was 
provided to the Audit Committee by the Chief Financial Officer.

Significant issues and judgements that were considered in respect 

of the 2019 financial statements were as follows. These include the 
matters relating to risks disclosed in the UK external auditor’s report.

•  Disclosure on the quality of the earnings and one-off items 

included in cash flow. The Audit Committee agreed that sufficient 
disclosure was made in the financial statements.

•  The Audit Committee determined that exceptional items are 
appropriately classified considering their size and nature, and 
sufficient disclosure is provided in the financial statements 
(see note 4). 

•  Review of carrying value of assets, in particular intangible assets. 

The Audit Committee agreed that the fair value of the company’s 
assets was in excess of their carrying value (see notes 6 and 10). 

•  Exchange rate used to translate operations in Venezuela. The Audit 
Committee agreed that the rate is reasonable for the year ended 
30 June 2019 for consolidation purposes, that represents the best 
estimation of the rate at which capital and dividend repatriations 
are expected to be realised (see note 1). 

GOVERNANCE 
78 

•  Disclosure on taxation. The Audit Committee agreed that the 

separate presentation of the tax risk appropriately addresses the 
significant change in the international tax environment and 
sufficient and transparent disclosures are provided for the ongoing 
tax discussions (see page 23 and note 7). 

•  Review of legal cases. The Audit Committee agreed that adequate 
provision and/or disclosure has been made for all material litigation 
and disputes, based on the currently most likely outcomes, 
including the litigation summarised in note 18. 

•  Assumptions used in respect of post employment plans. Having 

considered advice from external actuaries and assumptions used by 
companies with comparator plans, the Audit Committee agreed 
that the assumptions used to calculate the income statement and 
balance sheet assets and liabilities for post employment plans were 
appropriate (see note 13). 

•  Viability statement. The Audit Committee noted that severe but 

plausible risk scenarios had been identified; a robust risk assessment 
had been carried out; and the group’s viability and going concern 
consideration proved with stress testing. Taking into account the 
company’s balance sheet position, the Audit Committee expected 
the group to be able to meet its liabilities as they fell due over the 
three-year period ending 30 June 2022. The risk that the group 
would become insolvent during this timeframe was considered 
remote. The Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the 
Viability statement above be approved. 

As part of its review of the Annual Report, the Audit Committee 
considered whether the report is ‘fair, balanced and understandable’ 
(noting the Code’s reference to ‘position’ as well as ‘performance, 
business model and strategy’). On the basis of this work, the Audit 
Committee recommended to the Board that it could make the 
required statement that the Annual Report is ‘fair, balanced and 
understandable’.

Internal control and risk management; audit and 
risk programme; business conduct and ethics 
(including ‘whistleblowing’)
At each of its meetings, the Audit Committee reviewed detailed reports 
from the heads of the Global Risk & Compliance (GRC) and Global 
Audit & Risk (GAR) teams (including coverage of the areas mentioned 
in the title of this section) and had sight of the minutes of meetings of 
the Executive Audit & Risk Committee. The work and reporting to the 
Committee of both GRC and GAR during the year included focus on 
cyber risk, data management and migration risks, data privacy risks and 
risks associated with discrimination and harassment, given the external 
profile of this topic. The Committee in turn was thus able to keep under 
review the operation of the controls and compliance framework in 
these and other areas. The Committee also received regular updates 
from the group general counsel on significant litigation and from the 
head of tax on the group’s tax profile and key issues.

The GRC reporting included a consideration of key risks and related 
mitigations, including those set out in the section of this Annual Report 
dealing with principal risks. Based on this activity during the year, the 
Audit Committee made a recommendation to the Board covering 
the nature and extent of the risks it was willing to take to achieve its 
strategic goals and its internal statement of risk appetite (which was 
considered also by the Executive Audit & Risk Committee). The Board 
agreed this recommendation.

Through the activities of the Audit Committee described in this 

report and its related recommendations to the Board, the Board 
confirms that it has reviewed the effectiveness of the company’s 

systems of internal control and risk management and that there were 
no material failings identified and no significant failings identified 
which require disclosure in this Annual Report.

External auditor
During the year, the Audit Committee reviewed the external audit 
strategy and the findings of the external auditor from its review of the 
interim results and its audit of the consolidated financial statements.

The Audit Committee reviews annually the appointment 
of the auditor (taking into account the auditor’s effectiveness 
and independence and all appropriate guidelines) and makes 
a recommendation to the Board accordingly. Any decision to open 
the external audit to tender is taken on the recommendation of the 
Audit Committee. There are no contractual obligations that restrict the 
company’s current choice of external auditor. Following the last tender 
process, PwC was appointed as auditor of the company in 2015 and 
the current audit partner is Ian Chambers.

The company has complied with the provisions of The Statutory 
Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory 
Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee 
Responsibilities) Order 2014 (‘CMA Order’) for the year ended 
30 June 2019.

The Audit Committee assesses the ongoing effectiveness and 

quality of the external auditor and audit process on the basis of 
meetings and a questionnaire-based internal review with the finance 
team and other senior executives.

The group has a policy on auditor independence and on the 
use of the external auditor for non-audit services, which is reviewed 
annually, most recently in July 2019. The review took into consideration 
effectiveness and upcoming expected changes to regulation on 
non-audit services. Under the group’s auditor independence policy, 
the provision of any non-audit service must be approved by the Audit 
Committee, unless the proposed service is both expected to cost 
less than £250,000 and also falls within one of a number of service 
categories which the Audit Committee has pre-approved. Fees paid 
to the auditor for audit, audit related and other services are analysed 
in note 3(b) to the consolidated financial statements. The nature and 
level of all services provided by the external auditor are factors taken 
into account by the Audit Committee when it reviews annually the 
independence of the external auditor.

‘Financial expert’, composition and other attendees
For the purposes of the Code and the relevant rule under SOX, section 
407, the Board has determined that Alan Stewart is independent and 
may be regarded as an Audit Committee financial expert, having 
recent and relevant financial experience, and that all members of the 
Audit Committee are independent Non-Executive Directors with 
relevant financial and sectoral competence.

The Chairman, the Chief Financial Officer, the group general counsel 

& company secretary, the group financial controller, the head of GAR, 
the GRC director, the group chief accountant and the external auditor 
regularly attend meetings of the Committee.

The Audit Committee met privately with the external auditor and 

with the head of GAR during the year.

Training and deep dives
During the year, the Audit Committee had risk reviews and training 
sessions, presented by senior executives, on cyber security risk 
management processes, the company’s data protection risk mitigation 
approach following the implementation of the EU GDPR, global 
security trends and risks, and pension governance and risk associated 
with discrimination and harassment.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

79

Nomination Committee report

Role of the Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee is responsible for keeping under review 
the composition of the Board and succession to it, and succession 
planning for senior leadership positions. It makes recommendations 
to the Board concerning appointments to the Board. 

The recruitment process for Non-Executive Directors typically 
includes the development of a candidate profile and the engagement 
of a professional search agency (which has no other connection 
with the company) specialising in the recruitment of high calibre 
Non-Executive Directors. Reports on potential appointees are 
provided to the Committee, which, after careful consideration, makes 
a recommendation to the Board.

Any new Directors are appointed by the Board and, in accordance 

with the company’s articles of association, they must be elected at 
the next AGM to continue in office. All existing Directors retire by 
rotation every year.

The formal role of the Nomination Committee is set out in 
its terms of reference. These were updated in April 2019 and are 
available at www.diageo.com/en-row/ourbusiness/aboutus/
corporategovernance.

Composition of the Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee comprises Javier Ferrán (Committee 
Chairman), Lord Davies, Debra Crew, Susan Kilsby, Ho KwonPing, 
Nicola Mendelsohn and Alan Stewart.

Induction, training and business engagement
There is a formal induction programme for new Directors, which 
includes meeting with Executive Committee members and other 
senior executives individually and visiting a number of operations 
and sites around the group. Following her appointment, the induction 
process for Debra Crew is ongoing and, so far, has included attending 
the Annual Strategy Conference where she met all members of the 
Board and Executive Committee and attending a presentation on 
the strategic plan for scotch whisky distillation held at one of the 
company’s distilleries in Scotland. Ms Crew is also having induction 
meetings with senior members of management and is participating 
in the arranged programme to get to know the business and 
its operations.

Following the initial induction for Non-Executive Directors, 
a continuing understanding of the business is developed through 
appropriate business engagements. Visits to customers, engagements 
with employees, and brand events were arranged during the year.
In addition, Executive Committee members and other senior 
executives are invited, as appropriate, to Board and strategy meetings 
to make presentations on their areas of responsibility. The company’s 
policy is for all Directors to attend the AGM.

All Directors are also provided with the opportunity, and 

encouraged, to attend regular training to ensure they are kept up to 
date on relevant legal and governance developments or changes and 
best practice and changing commercial and other risks.

Activities of the Nomination Committee
The principal activities of the Nomination Committee during the year 
were: the consideration of potential new Non-Executive Directors; the 
review of individual Director performance; a review of the Executive 
Committee membership and succession planning for it and for senior 
leadership positions, in addition to a review of diversity within the 
group; and the continuing independence of Lord Davies.

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Nomination Committee I would like to present its 
report for the year ended 30 June 2019.

Following the announcement in December 2018 that Ursula 
Burns would no longer be joining the Board as a Non-Executive 
Director, the Committee began the search for a new Non-Executive 
Director. The Committee engaged Egon Zehnder (which has no other 
connection with the company) to identify potential candidates and 
following a detailed selection process, the Committee recommended 
the appointment of Debra Crew as a Non-Executive Director to the 
Board, which subsequently approved the appointment with effect 
from 18 April 2019. Debra’s significant experience in FMCG and in 
executive management as a former CEO should serve Diageo well 
and complement the current Board.

The Committee also considered the independence of Lord Davies 

of Abersoch whose tenure will exceed nine years in September 
2019. Lord Davies has agreed to extend his term for an additional 
year and to stand for re-election at the 2019 AGM in order to ensure 
continuity of Board membership, pending recruitment of additional 
Directors to the Board, and to enable the company to benefit from 
his experience in British politics and international trade relations at 
a time of particular uncertainty in these two areas. The Committee 
was satisfied that Lord Davies demonstrated sufficient independence 
of thought and challenge in his contributions to the discussions 
of the Board and that therefore his independence is not likely to 
be impaired. Accordingly the Committee recommended to the 
Board that it approve the continuation by Lord Davies as Senior 
Independent Director for the period until the conclusion of the 2020 
AGM and to recommend his re-election to the Board on this basis at 
the 2019 AGM. The company does not intend that Lord Davies will 
seek re-election at the 2020 AGM.

As part of the annual Board evaluation, all members of the 

Nomination Committee completed an evaluation of the Committee. 
This concluded that the performance of the Committee had 
improved, with clearer understanding of the talent pipeline, requisite 
skill sets and recruitment processes, although this understanding 
requires embedding over time. Further details of the evaluation can 
be found on page 73.

Javier Ferrán
Chairman of the Nomination Committee

GOVERNANCE 
80 

Directors’ remuneration report

Annual statement by the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

“Continuing to attract 
and nurture a vibrant 
mix of talent enables 
our business to grow 
and thrive”

Contents
Remuneration at a glance 
Pay for performance at a glance 
Directors’ remuneration policy 
Annual report on remuneration 
Looking back on 2019
–  Single figure table 
90
–  Annual incentive payouts for 2019  91
–   Long-term incentives  

82
83
84
90

vesting in 2019 

–  Pension benefits in 2019 
–   Long-term incentives awarded  

92
93

in 2019 

93
–  Outstanding share plan interests  94
95
–  CEO pay ratio 
Looking ahead to 2020
–  Salary increases for year ahead 
–  Incentives design for year ahead 
TSR performance chart 
Shareholding versus requirement 
Non-Executive Director pay 

96
96
97
98
99

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present to you the Directors’ 
remuneration report for the year ended 30 June 2019, 
which contains:
•  The current directors’ remuneration policy, 

approved at the 2017 AGM; and

•  The annual remuneration report, describing how 
the policy has been put into practice during 2019, 
and how it will be implemented in 2020.

At Diageo, long-term value creation for shareholders 
and pay for performance are at the heart of our 
remuneration policy and practices. The approach 
to setting executive remuneration is guided by the 
following remuneration principles:
•  Delivery of business strategy;
•  Creating sustainable, long-term performance;
•  Winning best talent; and
•  Consideration of stakeholder interests.

The Committee considers these principles carefully 
when making decisions on executive remuneration 
in order to strike the right balance between risk and 
reward, cost and sustainability, and competitiveness 
and fairness.

Delivery of business strategy
Short- and long-term incentive plans are closely 
linked to the core growth and efficiency drivers that 
underpin our business strategy. These performance 
measures are reviewed every year to ensure we are 
incentivising the right behaviours and creating the 
most value. More detail on KPIs can be found in the 
strategic report on pages 12 to 13.

Creating sustainable, long-term 
performance
Performance against the key financial metrics that has 
driven the remuneration outcomes under the annual 
and long-term incentive plans is summarised in the 
‘pay for performance at a glance’ section on page 83.

Diageo has delivered a strong set of results 
against stretching targets over the last three years, 
which has led to an above-target annual incentive 
payout in 2019 as well as long-term incentive awards 
vesting at 89.3% of maximum for 2016 performance 
shares and 73.1% of maximum for 2016 share options. 
This is the second consecutive year in which long-
term incentives have vested above the midpoint of 
the target range, compared with nil to low vesting 
outcomes in the three prior years.

Total remuneration to the Chief Executive 
increased by 29% in 2019 compared to the year 
before. 2019 was a year where Diageo delivered 
total returns to shareholders of £18b through a 
combination of share price growth, dividends and 
our share buy back programme, demonstrating our 
principle of pay for performance.

Winning best talent
People at Diageo feel a deep connection to the 
company’s purpose of ‘celebrating life every 
day everywhere’. There is a high level of passion, 
pride and accountability for our heritage-rich brands 
and there is a shared commitment to be the best 
and do the right thing at work, in life and in the 
wider community that underpins everything we 
do. Continuing to attract and nurture a vibrant mix 
of talent with a range of backgrounds, skills and 
capabilities enables our business to grow and thrive. 
It is this ongoing investment in people that ultimately 
drives the delivery of our performance ambition.
We source talent globally and remuneration 
is a key part of securing the best people to lead 
our business in an increasingly competitive 
marketplace. The significant market pay differential 
between executives in the United States, the 
United Kingdom and the rest of Europe continues 
to be challenging, particularly given the increasing 
international mobility of the senior talent pool. 
Regional pay differentials present particular issues 
for us since a large proportion of our business 
is based in the United States. We continue to 
monitor external practices across our strategic 
markets and set remuneration to deliver market 
competitive packages in return for high performance 
against the company’s strategic objectives and 
stretching targets.

Consideration of stakeholder interests
The Committee recognises the complexity of the 
world in which we operate, with multiple 
stakeholders representing, at times, conflicting 
viewpoints. Treating people fairly, with respect and 
dignity, continues to be very important to us – it is 
embedded in our culture at Diageo, and is a 
fundamental part of the work we do to promote 
inclusion and diversity in the workplace, in our 
customer base and in the local communities around 
us. In keeping with our focus on fairness, we have 
made some changes to remuneration practices this 
year, including the launch of a market-leading policy 
on family leave for a majority of Diageo employees 
around the world, the alignment of executive and 
employee pension arrangements in the United 
Kingdom, and renewed efforts to engage the 
workforce and hear their views on the company’s 
strategy, performance ambition, culture and working 
environment, as described in the governance report 
on page 74. Furthermore, we are delighted that the 
sustained growth in Diageo’s share price has 
benefited many of our employees who are also 
Diageo shareholders – we enjoy high participation 
rates in the tax-efficient all-employee share plans that 
we offer in certain locations and the average growth 
in value under these plans ranges from 31%-70% over 
a five-year period.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ remuneration report 

81

Diageo’s remuneration principles

1    Delivery of 

business strategy

Short- and long-term incentive plans 
reward the delivery of our business 
strategy and performance ambition. 
Performance measures are reviewed 
regularly and stretching targets are 
set relative to the company’s growth 
plans and peer group performance. 
The Committee seeks to embed 
simplicity and transparency in 
the design and delivery of 
executive reward.

2    Creating sustainable, 

long-term performance

A significant proportion of 
remuneration is delivered in variable 
pay linked to business and individual 
performance, focused on consistent 
and responsible drivers of long-term 
growth. Performance against targets 
is assessed in the context of 
underlying business performance 
and the ‘quality of earnings’.

3    Winning  

best talent

Market-competitive total 
remuneration with an appropriate 
balance of reward and upside 
opportunity allows us to attract and 
retain the best talent from all over the 
world, which is critical to our 
continued business success.

4    Consideration of 

stakeholder interests

Executives are focused on creating 
sustainable share price growth. 
The requirement to build significant 
personal shareholdings in Diageo 
and hold long-term incentive awards 
for two years post vesting encourages 
executives to think and act like 
owners. Decisions on executive 
remuneration are made in 
consideration of the interests of 
the wider workforce and other 
stakeholders, as well as taking 
account of the external climate.

Remuneration policy
The remuneration policy was approved by 96% of shareholders at 
the AGM held on 20 September 2017. We will continue to operate 
executive remuneration arrangements in the forthcoming financial 
year in line with the approved remuneration policy. We are reviewing 
our remuneration policy ahead of the 2020 AGM and will consider 
a broad range of stakeholder views as well as the new corporate 
governance code in assessing the effectiveness of the policy against 
our remuneration principles.

Decisions made during 2019
In addition to reviewing salaries, incentive awards and payments for 
the Executive Committee, setting targets for the annual and long-term 
incentive plans, reviewing all-employee reward outcomes and 
considering shareholder consultation, the Committee made other 
decisions as outlined below.

Annual incentive
The Committee reviewed the design of the annual incentive plan and 
remains satisfied that the company’s current annual incentive structure 
– payable entirely in cash – remains appropriate. The high shareholding 
requirement, the level of stretch in the performance targets under the 
long-term incentive plan and the post-vesting holding period provide 
appropriate alignment of the interests of executives and shareholders 
in fostering sustainable share price growth over the long term. There 
are also robust clawback and malus provisions under both the annual 
and long-term incentive plans, which apply to all members of the 
Executive Committee. There are no changes to the performance 
measures or weightings under the annual incentive plan for Executive 
Directors for the year ending 30 June 2020.

Long-term incentives
The Committee remains confident that the mix of performance shares 
and share options is an appropriate long-term incentive for the leaders 
of the business, and the share options element provides an additional 
stretch in that the share price has to grow materially in addition to the 
performance condition being achieved in order for the award to 
deliver any value to executives. This further strengthens the alignment 
between the interests of executives and shareholders. Share option 
plans remain majority practice within Diageo’s international peer 
group, against which the company needs to remain competitive in 
order to attract and retain the highest calibre of talent. There are no 
changes to the performance measures or weightings for awards 
made under the long-term incentive plan in 2019.

Directors. As a result, the Committee has decided, ahead of the 
2020 remuneration policy review, to reduce the maximum company 
pension contribution for new Executive Director hires from 20% 
of salary to 14% of salary, effective 1 July 2019. This is aligned to the 
offering for new hire employees in the United Kingdom, who are 
eligible to participate in a defined contribution pension scheme, with 
a potential company contribution of 14% of salary for all employees 
regardless of seniority or tenure.

The Chief Executive has also agreed to a reduction in the company’s 
contribution to his pension scheme from 30% of salary to 20% of salary, 
effective 1 July 2019. This follows the earlier reduction to the company’s 
pension contribution for the Chief Executive from 40% of salary to 
30% of salary, implemented on 1 July 2016. The pension contributions 
for the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer are now aligned at 
20% of salary and this is broadly at the same level (or lower) than the 
company pension contributions for many longer-serving employees 
participating in the legacy defined benefit or cash balance schemes 
in the United Kingdom.

Shareholding requirement
A post-employment shareholding requirement policy is expected 
to be implemented effective 1 July 2020, in accordance with the 
requirements under the new corporate governance code. This will 
be reviewed and discussed in consultation with shareholders as part 
of the 2020 remuneration policy review.

CEO pay ratio
We are committed to good corporate governance and transparency. 
Ahead of the new disclosure requirements which come into effect 
for Diageo in 2020, the Committee has chosen to disclose the CEO 
pay ratio for the year ended 30 June 2019 and you can find more 
information on this on page 95.

We were very pleased to receive a strong vote in favour of our 
remuneration report last year and our remuneration policy the year 
before last. This year’s annual remuneration report will be put forward 
for your consideration and approval by advisory vote at the AGM on 
19 September 2019. I highly value the direct engagement and feedback 
from our shareholders and their representative bodies on Diageo’s 
remuneration policy and practices and look forward to welcoming 
you at the AGM this year.

Pension
The Committee has considered the implications of the new corporate 
governance code for Diageo’s policy on pension for its Executive 

Susan Kilsby
Non-Executive Director and
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

GOVERNANCE 
82 

Remuneration at a glance

Purpose and link 
to strategy

•  Supports the attraction 
and retention of the 
best global talent with 
the capability to deliver 
Diageo’s strategy

Key features

Planned for 2020

Implementation in 2019

•  Reviewed annually on 1 October
•  Salaries take account of 

•  Effective 1 October 2019:
  –  CEO 3% increase to 

external market and internal 
employee context

$1,661,427

  –  CFO 3% increase to 

$1,093,044

•  Salary increases in line 

with the pay budget for 
the wider workforce (3% 
for the UK and the US 
in 2019) 
  Page 96

•  Effective 1 October 2018:
  – CEO 2% increase to $1,613,036
  – CFO 2% increase to $1,061,208
•  Supported by a comprehensive 

review of total target 
remuneration versus the 
external market

•  Salary increases below the pay 
budget for the wider workforce

Page 96

Implementation 
in 2018

•  Effective 1 October 2017:
–  CEO 2% increase to 

$1,581,408

–  CFO 2% increase to 

$1,040,000

•  Provision of market- 
competitive and 
cost-effective benefits 
supports attraction and 
retention of talent

•  Provision of competitive benefits 
linked to local market practice
•  Maximum company pension 

•  Company pension 

contribution:
 –  CEO 20% of salary 

contribution is 20% of salary for 
new Executive Director hires 
(reduced to 14% of salary 
effective 1 July 2019)

(reduced from 30%  
of salary effective  
1 July 2019)

  – CFO 20% of salary

•  Allowances and benefits 

unchanged from prior year

•  Unchanged from 

prior year

•  Company pension contribution: 

– CEO 30% of salary
  – CFO 20% of salary

•  Company pension 
contribution to the  
CEO was reduced from 
40% to 30% of salary 
effective 1 July 2016

y
r
a
l
a
S

s
e
c
n
a
w
o

l
l

A

s
t
fi
e
n
e
b
d
n
a

•  Incentivises delivery of 
Diageo’s financial and 
strategic targets

•  Target opportunity is 100% of 
salary and maximum is 200% 
of salary

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a
u
n
n
A

e
v
i
t
n
e
c
n

i

•  Provides focus on key 
financial metrics and 
the individual’s 
contribution to the 
company’s 
performance

•  Performance measures, 

weightings and stretching 
targets are set annually

•  Paid out in cash after the end 

of the financial year

•  Subject to clawback provisions

•  Rewards long-term 

consistent performance 
in line with Diageo’s 
business strategy
•  Provides focus on 
delivering superior 
long-term returns 
to shareholders

s
e
v
i
t
n
e
c
n

i

m
r
e
t
-
g
n
o
L

t •  Ensures alignment 

between the interests 
of Executive Directors 
and shareholders

i

l

g
n
d
o
h
e
r
a
h
S

n
e
m
e
r
i
u
q
e
r

•  Annual grant of performance 
shares and share options 
– CEO award 500% of salary 
–  CFO award 480% of salary 
(in performance share 
equivalents)

•  Performance measures, 

weightings and stretching 
targets are set annually
•  3-year performance period 
plus 2-year retention period

•  Subject to malus and 
clawback provisions

•  Minimum shareholding 

requirement within 5 years 
of appointment: 
– CEO 500% of salary 
– CFO 400% of salary

•  Pay-out above target:
  – CEO 61.0% of maximum
  – CFO 57.6% of maximum  
  Page 91

•  Pay-out above target: 

– CEO 70% of maximum 
– CFO 72% of maximum

•  Vesting of 2016 performance 
shares at 89.3% of maximum
•  Vesting of 2016 share options 

at 73.1% of maximum 
Page 92

•  Vesting of 2015 

performance shares 
at 70% of maximum
•  Vesting of 2015 share 
options at 60% of 
maximum

•  For the year ending 

30 June 2020, measures 
on net sales growth, 
operating profit growth 
and average working 
capital weighted 
equally, with remaining 
20% on individual 
objectives

  Page 96

•  No change to 

performance measures 
and weightings as 
these are appropriate 
in line with the 
business strategy
•  Size of long-term 
incentive award 
opportunity is 
unchanged from 
prior year
Page 96

•  CEO shareholding 2,620%  

of salary

•  CEO shareholding 
2,115% of salary

•  CFO shareholding 563%  

•  CFO shareholding 123% 

of salary  
Page 98

of salary

Performance/retention period

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Salary

Allowances and benefits

Annual incentive

LTIP

Performance shares 

Share options

Shareholding requirement

Indicates a holding or clawback period

The structure of Diageo’s executive remuneration package ensures that executives have a vested interest in delivering performance over the 
short and long term, including a one-year clawback provision following any payout under the annual incentive plan and a two-year retention 
period on any vested awards under the long-term incentive plan.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ remuneration report 

83

Pay for performance at a glance
We are pleased to report strong performance against our targets under both the annual and long-term incentive plans this year. Targets under 
both incentive plans are set with reference to Diageo’s strategic plan and the historical and forecasted performance of Diageo and its peers.

Long-term incentives (for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2019)

Organic net sales growth (25% weighting)
CAGR
Threshold
Midpoint
Target
3.5%
4.75%

Maximum 
6.0% 

Cumulative free cash flow (25% weighting)
Midpoint
£6,400m

Threshold
£5,700m

Target

Actual

5.1%

Actual

Maximum
£7,100m

£7,036m

Adjusted earnings per share growth (25% weighting)
CAGR
Target

Threshold
4.0%

Midpoint
6.75%

Actual

7.7%

Relative TSR ranking vs peer group (25% weighting)

Maximum 
9.5% 

Target

Actual

Threshold
9th (median)

Midpoint
–

Maximum  
3rd 
(upper quintile)

2nd

Annual incentive (for the period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019)

Net sales growth (26.7% weighting)

Operating profit (26.7% weighting)

Target

Actual

Threshold
3.5%

Target
5.0%

Maximum 
6.5%

5.9%

Target

Actual

Threshold
4.5%

Target
8.0%

8.6%

Maximum 
11.5%

Average working capital (26.7% weighting)
(% net sales)

Threshold
30bps

Target
120bps

Target

Actual

81bps

Maximum 
210bps

Diageo’s share price growth over the 
period 30 June 2016 to 30 June 2019

Dividend distribution to shareholders in 
year ended 30 June 2019

 62.2%

2019
2016

Total dividends of 190.2 pence per  
share paid.

 5.0%

3384p
2087p

2019
2018

68.57p
65.3p

Historical reward outcomes under the annual and long-term incentive plans over the past five years are shown below. Vesting outcomes 
under the long-term incentive plan are shown against annualised total shareholder return for the three-year period ended in the year of vesting 
(i.e. annualised TSR for the three years ended 30 June 2019 is shown against the vesting outcome for the 2016 long-term incentive awards vesting 
in 2019). Annual incentive payouts are shown against organic operating profit growth for each respective financial year, as disclosed in prior-year 
annual reports.

5-year vesting outcomes of long-term incentives

5-year history of annual incentive payouts

Vesting
outcome
%

100

80

60

40

20

0

%
3
3

%
0

2015

Annualised
TSR
%

Payout
%

%
9
8

%
3
7

%
0
7

%
0
6

22

18

14

10

6

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

%
8
2

%
1
3

%
0

%
0

%
0

%
2
7

%
3
7

%
5
7

%
0
6

Operating
profit
growth
%

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Performance shares (% maximum)
Share options (% maximum)
Annualised TSR over 3- year long-term incentive performance period

Payout (% maximum)
Organic operating profit growth (% on prior year)

GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
84 

Directors’ remuneration policy

This section of the report summarises the policy for the remuneration of the company’s 
Directors. The policy formally came into effect at the AGM on 20 September 2017, in 
accordance with section 439A of the Companies Act 2006, after being approved in a 
binding vote by shareholders.

Policy table
The policy has been updated to reflect the change to the company’s pension contribution for new Executive Director appointments and the 
change to the Chief Executive’s pension effective 1 July 2019, as well as the inclusion of share price appreciation in the pay for performance 
scenario charts for the year ending 30 June 2020, in line with the new corporate governance requirements.

The policy approved in September 2017 can be found on the company’s website at www.diageo.com/en/investors/financial-results-and-

presentations/directors-remuneration-report-2017/.

• Base salary 

  More detail on p96

 Benefits 

  More detail on p90

Purpose and link to strategy
Supports the attraction and retention of the best global talent with 
the capability to deliver Diageo’s strategy and performance goals.

Operation
• Normally reviewed annually or following a change in 

responsibilities with any increases usually taking effect from 
1 October.

• The Remuneration Committee considers the following 

parameters when reviewing base salary levels:
 – Pay increases for other employees across the group;
 – Economic conditions and governance trends;
 – The individual’s performance, skills and responsibilities; and
 – Base salaries (and total remuneration) at companies of similar 
size and international scope to Diageo, with roles typically 
benchmarked against the FTSE 30 excluding financial services 
companies, or against similar comparator groups in other 
locations dependent on the Executive Director’s home market.

Opportunity
Salary increases will be made in the context of the broader 
employee pay environment, and will normally be in line with 
those made to other employees in relevant markets in which 
Diageo operates, typically the United Kingdom and the United 
States, unless there is a change in role or responsibility or other 
exceptional circumstances.

Purpose and link to strategy
Provides market-competitive and cost effective benefits.

Operation
• The provision of benefits depends on the country of residence 
of the Executive Director and may include but is not limited to 
a company car or car allowance, the provision of a car and 
contracted car service or equivalent, product allowance, life 
insurance, accidental death and disability insurance, medical 
cover, financial counselling and tax advice.

• The Remuneration Committee has discretion to offer additional 
allowances, or benefits, to Executive Directors, if considered 
appropriate and reasonable. These may include relocation 
expenses, housing allowance and school fees where a Director 
is asked to relocate from his/her home location as part of their 
appointment.

Opportunity
The benefits package is set at a level which the Remuneration 
Committee considers:
• Provides an appropriate level of benefits depending on the role 

and individual circumstances;

• Is appropriate in the context of the benefits offered to the 

wider workforce in the relevant market; and

• Is in line with comparable roles in companies of a similar size 

and complexity in the relevant market.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ remuneration report 

85

• Diageo Long-Term Incentive Plan (DLTIP) 

  More detail on p92

Purpose and link to strategy
Provides focus on delivering superior long-term returns to 
shareholders.

Operation
• An annual grant of performance shares and/or market price 
share options, which vest subject to a performance test and 
continued employment normally over a period of three years.

• Measures and stretching targets are reviewed annually by the 

Remuneration Committee for each new award.

• Following vesting there is a further retention period of two 

years. Executive Directors are able to exercise an option or sell 
sufficient shares to cover any tax liability when an award vests, 
provided they retain the net shares arising for the two-year 
retention period.

• Notional dividends accrue on performance share awards to the 

extent that the performance conditions have been met, 
delivered as shares or cash at the discretion of the 
Remuneration Committee at the end of the vesting period.

• The Committee has discretion to reduce the number of shares 
which vest (subject to HMRC rules regarding approved share 
options), for example in the event of a material performance 
failure, or a material restatement of the financial statements. 
There is an extensive malus clause for awards made from 
September 2014. The Committee has discretion to decide that:
 – the number of shares subject to the award will be reduced;
 – the award will lapse;
 – retention shares (i.e. vested shares subject to the additional 

two-year retention period) will be forfeited;

 – vesting of the award or the end of any retention period will 

be delayed (e.g. until an investigation is completed);

 – additional conditions will be imposed on the vesting of the 

award or the end of the retention period; and/or

 – any award, bonus or other benefit which might have been 
granted or paid to the participant in any later year will be 
reduced or not awarded.

Malus and clawback provisions will apply up to delivery of shares 
at the end of the retention period (as opposed to the vesting 
date). The company also has the standard discretion to take 
account of unforeseen events such as a variation to share capital.

Opportunity
• The maximum annual grants for the CEO and CFO are 500% 

and 480% of salary in performance share equivalents 
respectively (where a market price option is valued at one-third 
of a performance share). Included within that maximum no 
more than 375% of salary will be awarded in face value terms 
in options to any Executive Director in any year.

• Threshold vesting level of 20% of maximum with straight-line 
vesting up to 100% at maximum for attaining financial metrics 
and a ranking profile for relative total shareholder return.

 Post-Retirement Provisions 

  More detail on p93

Purpose and link to strategy
Provides cost-effective, competitive post-retirement benefits.

Operation
• Provision of market competitive pension arrangements or 
a cash alternative based on a percentage of base salary.

Opportunity
• The maximum company pension contribution under the 

approved 2017 remuneration policy is 20% of base salary for 
any new external appointments to an Executive Director 
position. This has been reduced to 14% of salary effective 
1 July 2019.

• Current legacy company contributions for Ivan Menezes and 
Kathryn Mikells in the year ended 30 June 2019 were 30% and 
20% of base salary respectively. The company contribution 
for Ivan Menezes was reduced from 40% to 30% effective 
1 July 2016, and from 30% to 20% effective 1 July 2019.

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) 

  More detail on p91

Purpose and link to strategy
Incentivises year-on-year delivery of Diageo’s annual financial 
and strategic targets. Provides focus on key financial metrics and 
the individual’s contribution to the company’s performance.

Operation
• Performance measures, weightings and targets are set annually 

by the Remuneration Committee. Appropriately stretching 
targets are set by reference to the annual operating plan and 
historical and projected performance for the company and its 
peer group.

• The level of award is determined with reference to Diageo’s 
overall financial and strategic performance and individual 
performance and is paid out in cash after the end of the 
financial year.

• The Committee has discretion to adjust the level of payment 
if it is not deemed to reflect appropriately the individual’s 
contribution or the overall business performance. Any 
discretionary adjustments will be detailed in the following 
year’s annual report on remuneration.

• The Committee has discretion to apply clawback to bonus, i.e. 
the company may seek to recover bonus paid, in exceptional 
circumstances such as gross misconduct or gross negligence 
during the performance period.

Opportunity
For threshold performance, up to 50% of salary may be earned, 
with up to 100% of salary earned for on target performance and 
a maximum of 200% of salary payable for outstanding 
performance.

Performance conditions
Annual incentive plan awards are based 70%-100% on financial 
measures which may include, but are not limited to, measures of 
sales, profit and cash and 0%-30% on broader objectives based 
on strategic goals and/or individual contribution. Details of the 
targets will be disclosed retrospectively in next year’s annual 
report on remuneration, when they are no longer deemed 
commercially sensitive by the Board.

GOVERNANCE•  Chairman of the Board and  

Non-Executive Directors 

  More detail on p99

Purpose and link to strategy
Supports the attraction, motivation and retention of world-class 
talent and reflects the value of the individual, their skills and 
experience, and performance.

Operation
• Fees for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors are 

normally reviewed every two years.

• A proportion of the Chairman’s annual fee is used for the 

monthly purchase of Diageo ordinary shares, which have to be 
retained until the Chairman retires from the company or ceases 
to be a Director.

• Fees are reviewed in the light of market practice in the FTSE 30, 

excluding financial services companies, and anticipated 
workload, tasks and potential liabilities.

• The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors do not participate 
in any of the company’s incentive plans nor do they receive 
pension contributions or benefits. Their travel and 
accommodation expenses in connection with the attendance 
of Board meetings (and any tax thereon) are paid by the 
company.

• The Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors are eligible to 
receive a product allowance or cash equivalent at the same 
level as the Executive Directors.

All Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment. 
A summary of their terms and conditions of appointment is 
available at www.diageo.com. The Chairman of the Board, 
Javier Ferrán, was appointed on 1 January 2017, under a letter 
of appointment for an initial three-year term, terminable on six 
months’ notice by either party or, if terminated by the company, 
by payment of six months’ fees in lieu of notice.

Opportunity
• Fees for Non-Executive Directors are within the limits set by the 

shareholders from time to time, with an aggregate limit of 
£1,200,000, excluding the Chairman’s fees.

86 

Performance conditions
• The vesting of awards is linked to a range of measures which 

may include, but are not limited to:
 – a growth measure (e.g. net sales growth, operating 

profit growth);

 – a measure of efficiency (e.g. operating margin, cumulative 

free cash flow, return on invested capital); and

 – a measure of Diageo’s relative performance in relation to 

its peers (e.g. relative total shareholder return).

• Measures that apply to performance shares and market price 

options may differ, as is the case for current awards. Weightings 
of these measures may also vary year-on-year.

• The Remuneration Committee has discretion to amend the 
performance conditions in exceptional circumstances if it 
considers it appropriate to do so, e.g. in cases of accounting 
policy changes, merger and acquisition activities and disposals. 
Any such amendments would be fully disclosed and explained 
in the following year’s annual report on remuneration.

• All-employee share plans 

Purpose and link to strategy
To encourage broader employee share ownership through 
locally approved plans.

Operation
• The company operates tax-efficient all-employee share savings 

plans in various jurisdictions.

• Executive Directors’ eligibility may depend on their country 

of residence, tax status and employment company.

Opportunity
Limits for all-employee share plans are set by the tax authorities. 
The company may choose to set its own lower limits.

Performance conditions
UK Freeshares: based on Diageo plc financial measures which may 
include, but are not limited to, measures of sales, profit and cash.

• Shareholding requirement 

  More detail on p98

Purpose and link to strategy
Ensures alignment between the interests of Executive Directors 
and shareholders.

Operation
• The minimum shareholding requirement is 500% of base salary 
for the Chief Executive and 400% of base salary for any other 
Executive Directors.

• Executive Directors are expected to build up their shareholding 

within five years of their appointment to the Board.

• Executive Directors will be restricted from selling more than 
50% of shares which vest under the long-term incentive plan 
(excluding the sale of shares to cover tax on vesting and other 
exceptional circumstances to be specifically approved by the 
Chief Executive and/or Chairman), until the shareholding 
requirement is met.

• Subject to the remuneration policy review, which will be 
tabled at the 2020 AGM for shareholder approval, it is 
anticipated that a post-employment shareholding requirement 
will be introduced effective 1 July 2020.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ remuneration report 

87

Approach to recruitment remuneration
Diageo is a global organisation selling its products in more than 
180 countries around the world. The ability to recruit and retain the 
best talent from all over the world is critical to the future success of the 
business. People diversity in all its forms is a core element of Diageo’s 
global talent strategy and, managed effectively, is a key driver in 
delivering Diageo’s performance ambition.

The Remuneration Committee’s overarching principle for 
recruitment remuneration is to pay no more than is necessary to 
attract an Executive Director of the calibre required to shape and 
deliver Diageo’s business strategy in recognition that Diageo competes 
for talent in a global marketplace. The Committee will seek to align 
the remuneration package with Diageo’s remuneration policy as laid 
out above, but retains the discretion to offer a remuneration package 
which is necessary to meet the individual circumstances of the 
recruited Executive Director and to enable the hiring of an individual 
with the necessary skills and expertise. However, except as described 
below, variable pay will follow the policy.

On appointment of an external Executive Director, the Committee 

may decide to compensate for variable remuneration elements the 
Director forfeits when leaving their current employer. In doing so, the 
Committee will ensure that any such compensation would have a fair 
value no higher than that of the awards forfeited, and would generally 
be determined on a comparable basis taking into account factors 
including the form in which the awards were granted, performance 
conditions attached, the probability of the awards vesting (e.g. past, 
current and likely future performance) as well as the vesting schedules. 
Depending on individual circumstances at the time, the Committee 
has the discretion to determine the type of award (i.e. cash, shares or 
options, holding period and whether or not performance conditions 
would apply).

Any such award would be fully disclosed and explained in the 
following year’s annual report on remuneration. When exercising its 
discretion in establishing the reward package for a new Executive 
Director, the Committee will carefully consider the balance between 
the need to secure an individual in the best interests of the company 
against the concerns of investors about the quantum of remuneration 
and, if considered appropriate at the time, will consult with the 
company’s biggest shareholders. The Remuneration Committee 
will provide timely disclosure of the reward package of any new 
Executive Director.

In the event that an internal candidate is promoted to Executive 
Director, legacy terms and conditions would normally be honoured.

Notes to the Policy Table
Illustrations of application of the remuneration policy
The graphs below illustrate scenarios for the projected total 
remuneration of Executive Directors at four different levels of 
performance: minimum, target, maximum and maximum including 
assumed share price appreciation of 50% (in accordance with the new 
corporate governance requirements). The impact of potential share 
price movements is excluded from the other three scenarios. These 
charts reflect projected remuneration for the financial year ending 
30 June 2020.

Ivan Menezes

Minimum

100%

Total $2,117 (£1,641)

Target 

39%

31%

30%

Total $5,439 (£4,217)

Maximum
Maximum
plus share 
price growth

15%

12%

25%

19%

60%

Total $13,747 (£10,656)

69%

Total $17,900 
(£13,876)

Thousands $

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

Kathryn Mikells

Minimum

100%

Total $1,354 (£1,050)

Target 

39%

31%

30%

Total $3,497 (£2,711)

Maximum
Maximum
plus share 
price growth

15%

12%

25%

19%

60%

Total $8,787 (£6,812)

69%

Total $11,410 
(£8,845)

Thousands $

0

3,000

6,000

9,000

12,000

Salary, benefits and pension
Annual incentive
Long-term incentives

Basis of calculation and assumptions:
The ‘Minimum’ scenario shows fixed remuneration only, i.e. base salary for the year 
ending 30 June 2020, total value of contractually agreed benefits for 2020, and the 
pension benefits to be accrued over the year ending 30 June 2020. These are the only 
elements of the Executive Directors’ remuneration packages that are not subject to 
performance conditions.

The ‘Target’ scenario shows fixed remuneration as above, plus a target payout of 50% 
of the maximum annual bonus and threshold performance vesting for long-term 
incentive awards at 20% of the maximum award.

The ‘Maximum’ scenario reflects fixed remuneration, plus full payout of annual and 
long-term incentives.

The ‘Maximum plus share price growth’ scenario reflects fixed remuneration, plus full 
payout of annual and long-term incentives, including for the latter assumed 50% share 
price appreciation over the performance period.

The amounts shown in sterling are converted using the cumulative weighted average 
exchange rate for the year ended 30 June 2019 of £1 = $1.29.

Performance measures and targets
Further details of AIP performance measures for the year ending 
30 June 2020 and DLTIP performance measures and targets that will 
apply for awards made in September 2019, and how they are aligned 
with company strategy and the creation of shareholder value, are set 
out in the annual report on remuneration, on pages 96-97.

Performance targets are set to be stretching yet achievable, and 

take into account the company’s strategic priorities and business 
environment. The Committee sets targets based on a range of 
reference points including the corporate strategy and broker 
forecasts for both Diageo and its peers.

GOVERNANCE88 

Service contracts and policy on payment for loss of office (including takeover provisions)
Executive Directors have rolling service contracts, details of which are set out below. These are available for inspection at the company’s 
registered office.

Executive Director

Date of service contract

Ivan Menezes
Kathryn Mikells

7 May 2013
1 October 2015

Notice period

Mitigation

Annual incentive 
plan (AIP)

Diageo 2014 
Long-Term Incentive 
plan (DLTIP)

The contracts provide for a period of six months’ notice by the Executive Director or 12 months’ notice by the 
company. A payment may be made in lieu of notice equivalent to 12 months’ base salary and the cost to the company 
of providing contractual benefits (excluding incentive plans). The service contracts also provide for the payment of 
outstanding pay and bonus, if Executive Directors are terminated following a takeover, or other change of control 
of Diageo plc.

If, on the termination date, the Executive Director has exceeded his/her accrued holiday entitlement, the value 

of such excess may be deducted by the company from any sums due to him/her, except to the extent that such 
deduction would subject the Executive Director to additional tax under Section 409A of the Code (in the case of Ivan 
Menezes). If the Executive Director on the termination date has accrued but untaken holiday entitlement, the company 
will, at its discretion, either require the Executive Director to take such unused holiday during any notice period or 
make a payment to him/her in lieu of it, provided always that if the employment is terminated for cause then the 
Executive Director will not be entitled to any such payment. For these purposes, salary in respect of one day of holiday 
entitlement will be calculated as 1/261 of salary.

The Remuneration Committee may exercise its discretion to require a proportion of the termination payment to be 
paid in instalments and, upon the Executive Director commencing new employment, to be subject to mitigation 
except where termination is within 12 months of a takeover, or within such 12 months the Executive Director leaves 
due to a material diminution in status.

Where the Executive Director leaves for reasons including retirement, death in service, disability, ill-health, injury, 
redundancy, transfer out of the group and other circumstances at the Remuneration Committee’s discretion during 
the financial year, they are usually entitled to an incentive payment pro-rated for the period of service during the 
performance period, which is typically payable at the usual payment date. Where the Executive Director leaves for any 
other reason, no payment will be made.

The amount is subject to performance conditions being met and at the discretion of the Committee. 

The Committee has discretion to determine an earlier payment date, for example on death in service.

Where the Executive Director leaves for reasons including retirement, death in service, disability, ill-health, injury, 
redundancy, transfer out of the group and other circumstances at the Remuneration Committee’s discretion during 
the financial year, awards vest on the original vesting date unless the Remuneration Committee decides otherwise 
(for example in the case of death in service). When an Executive Director leaves for any other reason, all unvested 
awards generally lapse immediately. The retention period for vested awards continues for all leavers other than in cases 
of disability, ill health or death in service, unless the Remuneration Committee decides otherwise.

The proportion of the award released depends on the extent to which the performance condition is met. The 
number of shares is reduced on a pro-rata basis reflecting the length of time the Executive Director was employed by 
the company during the performance period, unless the Committee decides otherwise (for example in the case of 
death in service).

On a takeover or other corporate event, awards vest subject to the extent to which the performance conditions 

are met and, unless the Committee decides otherwise, the awards are time pro-rated. Otherwise the Committee, 
in agreement with the new company, may decide that awards should be swapped for awards over shares in the 
new company; where awards are granted in the form of options then on vesting they are generally exercisable for 
12 months (or six months for approved options).

Awards may be adjusted on a variation of share capital, demerger or other similar event.
The Remuneration Committee may amend the plans, except that any changes to the advantage of participants 
require shareholder approval, unless the change relates to the administration, or taxation of the plan or participants, 
or is needed to ensure that the plans operate effectively in another jurisdiction.

Repatriation

In cases where an Executive Director was recruited from outside the United Kingdom and has been relocated to the 
United Kingdom as part of their appointment, the company will pay reasonable repatriation costs for leavers at the 
Committee’s discretion.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ remuneration report 

89

and the senior management population. Generally speaking, a much 
higher proportion of total remuneration for the Executive Directors is 
linked to business performance, compared to the rest of the employee 
population, so that remuneration will increase or decrease in line with 
business performance and to align the interests of Executive Directors 
and shareholders.

Each year the Remuneration Committee is briefed on reward 
outcomes across the company globally as well as the provision of 
all-employee share plans. The Remuneration Committee has an 
understanding of the remuneration structures and policies in place for 
the broader employee population and takes this context, together with 
the external climate, into account when making decisions on executive 
pay. More specifically, the Committee also reviews annual salary 
increase budgets for the general employee population in the United 
Kingdom and United States as well as the remuneration structure and 
policy for the global senior management population.

Diageo runs annual employee engagement surveys, which give 

employees the opportunity to give feedback and express their 
views on a variety of topics including remuneration. Any comments 
relating to Executive Directors’ remuneration are fed back to the 
Remuneration Committee.

Consideration of shareholder views
The Committee values the continued dialogue with Diageo’s 
shareholders and engages directly with them and their representative 
bodies at the earliest opportunity to take their views into account 
when setting and implementing the company’s remuneration policies. 
This year, the company has engaged with shareholders and their proxy 
advisers on the base salary proposals for 2019, short and long-term 
incentive plan design, target setting for long-term incentive awards to 
be made in 2019 and viewpoints on the corporate governance code 
and its implications for Diageo’s remuneration policy and practices.

The Committee will be reviewing the remuneration policy over the 
course of 2020 and will engage extensively with shareholders as part of 
that review.

Non-Executive Directors’ unexpired terms 
of appointment
All Non-Executive Directors are on three-year terms which are 
expected to be extended up to a total of nine years. The date of initial 
appointment to the Board and the point at which the current letter 
of appointment expires for Non-Executive Directors are shown in the 
table below. Betsy Holden and Peggy Bruzelius stepped down from 
the Board on 20 September 2018.

Non-Executive Directors

Date of appointment to 
the Board

Current letter of 
appointment expires

Javier Ferrán

Debra Crew

22 July 2016

18 April 2019

AGM September 2019

AGM September 2022

Lord Davies of Abersoch 1 September 2010

AGM September 2019

Susan Kilsby

Ho KwonPing

4 April 2018

AGM September 2021

1 October 2012

AGM September 2021

Nicola Mendelsohn

1 September 2014

AGM September 2020

Alan Stewart

1 September 2014

AGM September 2020

Payments under previous policies
The Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration 
payments and payments for loss of office, notwithstanding that they 
are not in line with the policy set out above, where the terms of the 
payment were agreed (i) under a previous policy, in which case the 
provision of that policy shall continue to apply until such payments 
have been made; (ii) before the policy or the relevant legislation came 
into effect; or (iii) at a time when the relevant individual was not 
a director of the company and, in the opinion of the Committee, the 
payment was not in consideration for the individual becoming 
a director of the company. For these purposes, ‘payments’ include the 
satisfaction of awards of variable remuneration and, in relation to 
awards of shares, the terms of the payment which are agreed at the 
time the award is granted.

Consideration of remuneration for other employees
The structure of the reward package for the wider employee 
population is based on the principle that it should be sufficient to 
attract and retain the best talent and be competitive within our 
broader industry, remunerating employees for their contribution linked 
to our holisitic performance whilst mindful not to over-pay. It is driven 
by local market practice as well as level of seniority and accountability, 
reflecting the global nature of Diageo’s business.

There is clear alignment in the pay structures for executives and the 
wider workforce, in the way that remuneration principles are followed 
as well as the mechanics of the salary review process and incentive 
plan design, which are broadly consistent throughout the organisation. 
The performance measures under the annual incentive plan and 
long-term incentive plan are the same for executives and other eligible 
employees. There is a strong focus on performance-related pay, with 
appropriate levels of differentiation to ensure that reward is invested 
in the talent that will make the biggest contribution to the execution 
of Diageo’s strategy. Where possible, the company also encourages 
employee share ownership through a number of share plans that 
allow employees to benefit from the company’s success.

The remuneration approach for Executive Directors is consistent 
with the reward package for members of the Executive Committee 

GOVERNANCE90 

Annual report on remuneration

The following section provides details of how the company’s 2017 remuneration policy was 
implemented during the year ended 30 June 2019, and how the Remuneration Committee 
intends to implement the remuneration policy in the year ending 30 June 2020.

Single total figure of remuneration for Executive Directors (audited)
The table below details the Executive Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 30 June 2019.

Ivan Menezes(i)

Kathryn Mikells(i)

2019
‘000

£1,244

£95

£407

£1,746

2019
‘000

$1,605

$123

$525

$2,253

2018
‘000

£1,166

£69

£351

£1,586

2018
‘000

$1,574

$94

$474

$2,142

2019
‘000

£819

£27

£168

2019
‘000

$1,056

$34

$217

£1,014

$1,307

2018
‘000

£767

£30

£157

£954

2018
‘000

$1,035

$40

$212

$1,287

£1,521

$1,961

£1,640

$2,214

£946

$1,220

£1,105

$1,492

£3,725

$4,805

£2,964

$4,001

£2,421

$3,123

£3,589

$4,845

£4,662

$6,013

–

–

£1,658

–

$2,239

£2,645

–

£4

$3,411

$5

£1,473

£4

$1,989

$5

£11,654

$15,032

£7,848

$10,596

£7,030

$9,066

£7,125

$9,618

Fixed pay

 Salary

 Benefits(ii)

 Pension(iii)

Total fixed pay

Performance related pay

 Annual incentive

 Long-term incentives(iv)

Value delivered through 
performance

Value delivered through share 
price growth

 Other incentives(v)

Total remuneration for 
Executive Director appointment

 Other performance related pay

(Granted prior to appointment 
as Executive Director)

 Long-term incentives (vi)

 TOTAL SINGLE FIGURE

–

–

£11,654

$15,032

£1,147

£8,995

$1,549

$12,145

–

–

£7,030

$9,066

–

£7,125

–

$9,618

Notes

(i)

Exchange 
rate

(ii)

Benefits

(iii) Pension

The amounts shown in sterling are converted using the cumulative weighted average exchange rate for the respective financial year. For the year ended 
30 June 2019 the exchange rate was £1 = $1.29 and for the year ended 30 June 2018 the exchange rate was £1 = $1.35. Ivan Menezes and Kathryn Mikells 
are both paid in US dollars.

Benefits is the gross value of all taxable benefits. For Ivan Menezes, these include medical insurance (£18k), company car allowance (£18k), contracted 
car service (£8k), financial counselling (£48k), product allowance, life and long-term disability cover. Kathryn Mikells’ benefits include flexible benefits 
allowance (£18k), contracted car service (£3k), life cover (£5k) and product allowance.

Pension benefits earned during the year represent the increase in the pension fund balances over the year in the Diageo North America Inc. pension 
plans over and above the increase due to inflation. As Ivan Menezes has been a deferred member of the Diageo Pension Scheme (DPS) in the United 
Kingdom since 31 January 2012, and receives standard statutory increases in deferment the United Kingdom pension amount that accrued over the two 
years in excess of inflation is nil. Kathryn Mikells became a director and started accruing benefits in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) 
with effect from 9 November 2015.

Page 
84

Page 
93

(iv) Long-term 
incentives

Long-term incentives represent the estimated gain delivered through share options and performance shares where performance conditions have 
been met in the respective financial year. It also includes the value of additional shares granted in lieu of dividends on these vested performance shares. 

Page 
92

‘Value delivered through performance’ is calculated as the number of performance shares and dividend shares vesting in September 2019 multiplied by 
the share price on the date of grant.

‘Value delivered through share price growth’ is calculated as the difference between the average share price in the last three months of the financial year 
and the share price on the date of grant multiplied by the number of performance shares and share options vesting in September 2019.

For 2019, long-term incentives comprise performance shares and share options awarded in 2016 and due to vest in September 2019 at 89.3% and 73.1% 
of maximum respectively, and dividend shares awarded in September 2019 in relation to performance shares vesting in September 2019.

For 2018, long-term incentives comprise performance shares and share options awarded in 2015 that vested in September 2018 at 70% and 60% of 
maximum respectively, and dividend shares arising on performance shares that vested in September 2018. Long-term incentives have been re-stated to 
reflect the share price on the vesting date (whereas in the 2018 remuneration report long-term incentives were calculated using the average share price 
over the last three months of the financial year). For Kathryn Mikells in 2018, long-term incentives included performance shares that vested under the final 
tranche of the replacement share award made on 9 November 2015 in recognition of share awards forfeited from her former employer, and granted in 
accordance with the remuneration policy on recruitment remuneration. The performance measures, targets and weightings that applied to this award 
were the same as the 2015 performance share award, as disclosed in the 2018 remuneration report.

(v) Other 

incentives

Other incentives include the face value of awards made under the all-employee share plans (number of shares multiplied by the share price on the date 
of grant). Awards do not have performance conditions attached.

(vi) Discretionary 
Incentive 
Plan

Ivan Menezes retained interests in long-term incentive awards that were granted to him in 2012 under the Discretionary Incentive Plan, prior to joining 
the Board. For 2018, the amount disclosed in the table above was the part of the fourth and final tranche of the award based on performance for the year 
ended 30 June 2018, which vested at 67% of the maximum. The part of the award based on continuing employment for the year ended 30 June 2018 is 
not required to be reported in the table above and amounts to 14,643 ADRs, which vested on 8 March 2019.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ remuneration report 

91

Payments to former directors (audited)
There were no payments to former directors in the year ended 
30 June 2019, other than payments that have been disclosed in 
previous remuneration reports.

 Annual incentive plan (AIP) (audited)

Payments for loss of office (audited)
There were no payments for loss of office to Executive Directors in the 
year ended 30 June 2019.

AIP payout for the year ended 30 June 2019
AIP payouts for the Executive Directors are based 80% on performance against the group financial measures and 20% on performance against the 
Individual Business Objectives (IBOs), as assessed by the Remuneration Committee and summarised in the table below. The Committee assessed 
the Executive Directors’ performance against each of the IBOs separately and awarded a rating based on whether they had partially met, achieved 
or over-achieved each goal. The average of all IBO ratings (weighted equally) is shown as the IBO outcome in the table below.

The overall level of performance achieved resulted in an AIP award equating to 122% of base salary for Ivan Menezes and 115% of base 

salary for Kathryn Mikells. The actual payments received by the Executive Directors are shown in the ‘single total figure of remuneration’ 
table on page 90.

Weighting

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Actual

Payout (% of total 
AIP opportunity)

Group financial measures(i)

Measure

Net sales 
(% growth)(ii)

Operating profit 
(% growth)(ii)

Average working capital 
(% net sales)(iii)

Group financial payout

26.7%

26.7%

26.7%

80%

3.50%

4.5%

30bps

5.0%

8.0%

6.50%

11.5%

5.9%

8.6%

120bps

210bps

81bps

Individual business objectives(v)

Measure

Weighting

Target

Outcome

Ivan Menezes Chief Executive

20%

Deliver global Scotch  
performance

Growth in Scotch net sales
Growth in Scotch CAAP (Contribution 
After Advertising & Promotions)
Growth in Johnnie Walker net sales 
Growth in Johnnie Walker CAAP

Achieved (6% organic growth)
Achieved 

Over-achieved (7% organic growth)
Over-achieved

Growth in Reserve net sales
Growth in Reserve CAAP

Achieved (11% organic growth)
Over-achieved

Growth in net sales for North America 
Growth in operating profit for  
North America

Over-achieved (5% organic growth)
Over-achieved (3% organic growth)

Deliver global Reserve 
performance

Deliver performance in 
North America

Kathryn Mikells 
Chief Financial Officer

Implement inorganic 
portfolio strategy

Deliver efficiencies across 
the global finance function

Deliver a key business driver

Payout

Ivan Menezes

Kathryn Mikells

20%

Deliver merger & acquisition outcomes
Achieve improvement in US spirits 
growth rate

Deliver end-to-end efficiencies in the 
cost of the global finance function
Achieve organisation effectiveness 
targets for global finance function

Deliver 103% OCC (Operating 
Cash Conversion)

Achieved
Over-achieved

Achieved 

Achieved

Partly achieved

Group  
(weighted 80%)

IBO  
(weighted 20%)

Total (% max)

Total (% salary)

Total (‘000)(iv)

Total (‘000)(iv)

47.6%

47.6%

13.4%

10.0%

61.0%

57.6%

122%

115%

£1,521

£946

$1,961

$1,220

(i)  Performance against the AIP measures is calculated using 2019 budgeted exchange rates in line with management reporting and excludes the impact of exchange and any 

exceptional items.

(ii)  For AIP purposes, the net sales and operating profit measures are calculated after adjustments for acquisitions and disposals at budgeted FX rates. For the year ended  

30 June 2019, net sales have been adjusted by (0.2)ppts and operating profit by (0.4)ppts to include the impact of the disposal of 19 brands in an arrangement with Sazerac 
on 20 December 2018.

(iii)  For AIP purposes, average working capital as a percentage of net sales is calculated as the average of the last 12 months of operating working capital (excluding maturing 

inventories and provisions) divided by annual net sales.

(iv)  AIP payments are calculated using base salary as at 30 June 2019, in line with the global policy that applies to other employees across the company.
(v)  The targets and actuals for some of the market or category objectives have not been disclosed as they are considered commercially sensitive.

21.5%

15.6%

10.5%

47.6%

Payout (% of total 
AIP opportunity)

13.4%

4.2%

4.2%

5.0%

10.0%

4.2%

3.3%

2.5%

GOVERNANCE92 

 Long-term incentive plans (LTIPs) (audited)

As approved by shareholders at the AGM in September 2014, long-term incentive awards are made under the Diageo Long-Term Incentive Plan 
(DLTIP). Awards are designed to incentivise Executive Directors and senior managers to deliver long-term sustainable performance and are subject 
to performance conditions normally measured over a three-year period. Awards are delivered on an annual basis in both performance shares and 
share options.

Share options – granted in September 2016, vesting in September 2019 (audited)
On 5 September 2016, Ivan Menezes and Kathryn Mikells received share option awards of 54,356 (ADRs) and 128,253 (ORDs) respectively under the 
DLTIP, with an exercise price of $113.66 and 2113p respectively. The award was subject to a performance condition assessed over a three-year 
period based on compound annual adjusted eps growth, with a straight-line payout between threshold and maximum. Vesting is on a pro rata 
basis ranging from a threshold level of 20% to a maximum level of 100%.

Performance shares – awarded in September 2016, vesting in September 2019 (audited)
On 5 September 2016, Ivan Menezes and Kathryn Mikells received performance share awards of 54,356 (ADRs) and 128,253 (ORDs) respectively 
under the DLTIP. Awards vest after a three-year period subject to the achievement of specified performance conditions. Notional dividends accrue 
on awards and are paid out either in cash or shares in accordance with the vesting schedule.

The vesting of 2016 performance share awards was subject to the achievement of three equally weighted performance measures:

1.   Diageo’s three-year total shareholder return (TSR) ranked against the TSR of a peer group of international drinks and consumer 

goods companies;

2.   Growth in organic net sales on a compound annual basis; and
3.   Cumulative adjusted free cash flow.
For cumulative free cash flow and net sales, there is straight-line vesting between threshold and the midpoint, and between the midpoint and 
the maximum.

The vesting profile for relative TSR is shown below:

TSR ranking (out of 17)

1st, 2nd or 3rd

Vesting (% max)

TSR peer group (16 companies)

100%

AB Inbev

Mondelēz International

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th or below

95%

75%

65%

55%

45%

20%

0%

Brown Forman

Carlsberg

Coca-Cola

Colgate-Palmolive

Groupe Danone

Heineken

Kimberly-Clark

Nestlé

PepsiCo

Pernod Ricard

Procter & Gamble

Reckitt Benckiser

L’Oreal

Unilever

The targets and vesting outcome for performance share and share option awards granted in September 2016 are shown in the following tables:

Vesting of 2016 DLTIP

Organic net sales growth (CAGR)(i)

Relative total shareholder return(ii)

Cumulative free cash flow (CAGR)(iii)

Vesting of performance shares (% maximum)

Adjusted eps growth(iv)

Vesting of share options (% maximum)

Threshold

Midpoint

Maximum

3.5%

9th

4.75%

–

6.0%

3rd

Actual

5.1%

2nd

£5,700m

£6,400m

£7,100m

£7,036m

4.0%

6.75%

9.5%

7.7%

Vesting (% 
maximum)

71.5%

100.0%

96.3%

89.3%

73.1%

(i)  The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for organic net sales growth is based on the application of annual organic net sales growth rates in each of the individual years 

ended June 2017, June 2018 and June 2019 (using the year ended June 2016 as a base).

(ii)  Relative total shareholder return is measured as the percentage growth in Diageo’s ordinary share price (assuming all dividends and capital distributions are re-invested) 
compared to the total shareholder return of the peer group of 16 international drinks and consumer goods companies, based on an average period of 6 months, and  
converted to a common currency (US dollars). SABMiller was acquired by AB Inbev on 10 October 2016. SABMiller is replaced by L’Oreal for the full performance period for the 
2016 vesting outcome.

(iii)  Cumulative free cash flow is the aggregate of free cash flow for the three-year period excluding the impact of exchange, cash flows from exceptional items and the interest cost 

on share buy back programmes.

(iv)  The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for earnings per share growth is based on the application of annual adjusted eps growth rates in each of the individual years ended 
June 2017, June 2018 and June 2019 (using the year ended June 2016 as a base) excluding the impact of exchange, exceptional items, share buy back programmes and the post 
employment net income/charges included in other financial charges.

Accordingly, the 2016 performance share award vested at 89.3% and the 2016 share option award vested at 73.1% of the maximum.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ remuneration report 

93

 Pension and benefits in the year ended 30 June 2019

Benefits
Benefits provisions for the Executive Directors are in accordance with the information set out in the future policy table.

Pension arrangements (audited)
Ivan Menezes and Kathryn Mikells are members of the Diageo North America Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) with an accrual 
rate of 30% and 20% of base salary respectively during the year ended 30 June 2019.

The SERP is an unfunded, non-qualified supplemental retirement programme. Under the plan, accrued company contributions are subject to 
quarterly interest credits. Under the rules of the SERP, employees can withdraw the balance of the plan 6 months after leaving service (in the case 
of Ivan Menezes) or 6 months after leaving service or age 55, if later (in the case of Kathryn Mikells). The balance may be withdrawn in either a lump 
sum or five equal annual instalments, depending on the size of the balance.

Ivan Menezes participated in the US Cash Balance Plan and the Benefit Supplemental Plan (BSP) until August 2012 and has accrued benefits 
under both plans. The Cash Balance Plan is a qualified funded pension arrangement. Employer contributions are 10% of pay capped at the Internal 
Revenue Service (IRS) limit. The BSP is a non-qualified unfunded arrangement; notional employer contributions are 10% of pay above the IRS limit. 
Interest (notional for the BSP) is credited quarterly on both plans.

Ivan Menezes was also a member of the Diageo Pension Scheme (DPS) in the United Kingdom between 1 February 1997 and 

30 November 1999. The accrual of pensionable service ceased in 1999 but the linkage to salary remained until January 2012. Under the Rules of the 
Scheme, this benefit is payable unreduced from age 60. Ivan Menezes is able to take his UK pension benefits from age 58 without consent, and his 
benefit would not be subject to any actuarial reduction in respect of early payment. This is a discretionary policy Diageo offers that is not set out 
in the DPS Scheme Rules. 

Upon death in service, a life insurance benefit of $3 million is payable for Ivan Menezes and a lump sum of four times base salary is payable for 

Kathryn Mikells.

The table below shows the pension benefits accrued by each Director to date. The accrued United Kingdom benefits for Ivan Menezes are 

annual pension amounts, whereas the accrued US benefits for Ivan Menezes and Kathryn Mikells are one-off cash balance amounts.

Executive Director

Ivan Menezes(i)

Kathryn Mikells(ii)

30 June 2019

UK pension
£’000 p.a.

US benefit
£’000

UK pension
£’000 p.a.

73

Nil

7,543

587

71

Nil

30 June 2018

US benefit
£’000

6,680

391

(i) 

Ivan Menezes’ US benefits are higher at 30 June 2019 than at 30 June 2018 by £863k
(a) £510k of which is due to pension benefits earned over the year (£407k of which is over and above the increase due to inflation – as reported in the single figure of 
remuneration, see page 90);
(b) £80k of which is due to interest earned on his deferred US benefits over the year; and
(c) £273k of which is due to exchange rate movements over the year.

(ii)  Kathryn Mikells’ US benefits are higher at 30 June 2019 than at 30 June 2018 by £196k

(a) £178k of which is due to pension benefits earned over the year (£168k of which is over and above the increase due to inflation – as reported in the single figure of 
remuneration, see page 90); and
(b) £18k of which is due to exchange rate movements over the year.

The Normal Retirement Age applicable to each Director’s benefits depends on the pension scheme, as outlined below.

Executive Director

Ivan Menezes

Kathryn Mikells

UK benefits
(DPS)

US benefits
(Cash balance)

60

n/a

65

n/a

US benefits
(BSP)

6 months after  
leaving service

n/a

US benefits
(SERP)

6 months after 
leaving service

6 months after leaving  
service, or age 55 if later

 DLTIP awards made during the year ended 30 June 2019 (audited)

On 3 September 2018, Ivan Menezes and Kathryn Mikells received awards of performance shares and market price share options under the DLTIP; 
details are provided in the table below. The three-year period over which performance will be measured is 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2021. 

The performance measures for performance share awards are organic net sales growth, cumulative free cash flow and organic profit before 
exceptional items and tax growth, equally weighted. The performance measures for share option awards are organic profit before exceptional 
items and tax growth and relative total shareholder return, equally weighted. The targets were disclosed in full in the 2018 remuneration report.

20% of DLTIP awards will vest at threshold, with straight-line vesting up to 100% if the maximum level of performance is achieved.

Executive Director

Date of grant

Ivan Menezes

Ivan Menezes

Kathryn Mikells

Kathryn Mikells

03/09/2018

03/09/2018

03/09/2018

03/09/2018

Plan

Share type

Awards made
during the year

DLTIP – share options

DLTIP – performance shares

DLTIP – share options

DLTIP – performance shares

ADR

ADR

ADR

ADR

42,848

42,848

27,062

27,062

Exercise
price

$140.89

–

$140.89

–

Face value
‘000

Face value
(% of salary)

$6,049

$6,049

$3,820

$3,820

375%

375%

360%

360%

GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
 
94 

The proportion of the awards outlined above that will vest is dependent upon the achievement of performance conditions and continued 
employment, and the actual value may be nil. The vesting outcomes will be disclosed in the 2021 Annual Report.

The face value of each award has been calculated using the award price at the time of grant. In accordance with the rules, the number of 
performance shares and share options granted under the DLTIP was calculated by using the average closing share price for the last six months 
of the preceding financial year ($141.17 ADRs). In accordance with the plan rules, the exercise price was calculated using the average closing share 
price of the three days preceding the grant date ($140.89 ADRs). The share price on the date of grant was $139.41 ADRs.

 Outstanding share plan interests (audited)

Date of 
award

Performance
 period

Date of
 vesting

Share
 type

Share 
price on 
date of 
grant

Exercise
 price

Number 
of shares/ 
options at 
30 June

 2018(i) Granted

Dividends 
awarded 
and 

released Lapsed

Vested/
exercised

Number 
of shares/
options at 
30 June 
2019

Plan name

Ivan Menezes 

SESOP(iii)

Sep 2011

2011-2014

DLTIP – share options

Sep 2015

2015-2018

Total vested but unexercised share options in Ords(ii)

DLTIP – share options(v)

Sep 2016

2016-2019

DLTIP – share options(vi)

Sep 2017

2017-2020

DLTIP – share options

Sep 2018

2018-2021

2014 ADR

2018 ADR

2019 ADR

2020 ADR

2021 ADR

Total unvested share options subject to performance in Ords(ii)

$113.66

$134.06

$140.89

54,356

51,268

–

42,848

$76.70

$104.93

36,587

49,825

36,587

–

19,930

29,895

DIP(iv)

Mar 2012

2012-2019

2016-2019 ADR

$96.44

DLTIP – performance shares(x)

Sep 2015

2015-2018

2018 ADR $104.30

DLTIP – performance shares(v)

Sep 2016

2016-2019

2019 ADR

$115.77

DLTIP – performance shares(vi)

Sep 2017

2017-2020

2020 ADR $134.83

14,643

49,825

54,356

51,268

DLTIP – performance shares

Sep 2018

2018-2021

2021 ADR

$139.41

–

42,848

Total unvested shares subject to performance in Ords(ii)

9,761

34,877

4,882

2,451

14,948

DIP(iv)

Mar 2012

2012-2019

2016-2019 ADR

$96.44

14,643

14,643

Total unvested shares not subject to performance in Ords(ii)

Kathryn Mikells 

DLTIP – share options(v)(viii)

Sep 2016

2016-2019

DLTIP – share options(vi)

Sep 2017

2017-2020

DLTIP – share options

Sep 2018

2018-2021

2019 Ord

2020 ADR

2021 ADR

2113p

128,253

$134.06

32,380

$140.89

–

27,062

Total unvested share options subject to performance in Ords(ii)(xi)

DBOP – performance shares(vii)(ix) Nov 2015

2015-2018

2018 Ord

1866p

DLTIP – performance shares(v)

Sep 2016

2016-2019

2019 Ord

2127p

DLTIP – performance shares(vi)

Sep 2017

2017-2020

2020 ADR $134.83

246,300

128,253

32,380

DLTIP – performance shares

Sep 2018

2018-2021

2021 ADR

$139.41

–

27,062

Total unvested shares subject to performance in Ords(ii)

172,410

11,913 73,890

–

DBOP – restricted shares(vii)(ix)

Nov 2015

2015-2018

2018 Ord

1866p

43,868

43,868

Total unvested shares not subject to performance in Ords(ii)

(i) 

For unvested awards this is the number of shares/options initially awarded. For exercisable share options, this is the number of outstanding options. All share options have an 
expiry date of ten years after the date of grant.

(ii)  ADRs have been converted to Ords (one ADR is equivalent to four ordinary shares) for the purpose of calculating the total number of vested and unvested shares and options.
(iii)  Options granted prior to the Executive’s appointment to the Board. Ivan Menezes exercised these options on 27 July 2018, with a market value of $148.25.
(iv) 

Ivan Menezes retained interests in an award that was granted to him prior to joining the Board under the Discretionary Incentive Plan, amounting to a total of 117,142 ADRs, 
granted in 2012. The award was subject to performance conditions and continuing employment. 66.67% of the first tranche vested in March 2016, 66.67% of the second 
tranche vested in March 2017, 50% of the third tranche vested in March 2018 and 66.67% of the fourth and final tranche vested in March 2019.

(v)  Awards of performance shares and share options awarded under the DLTIP in September 2016 and due to vest in September 2019 are included here as unvested share awards 
subject to performance conditions, although the awards have also been included in the single figure of remuneration table on page 90, since the performance period ended 
during the year ended 30 June 2019.

(vi)  Details of the performance conditions attached to DLTIP awards of performance shares and share options granted in 2017 were disclosed in Diageo’s 2017 Annual Report.
(vii)  Replacement shares awarded to Kathryn Mikells on her appointment as Chief Financial Officer on 9 November 2015, in recognition of share awards she forfeited from her 

previous employer. These awards were made under the Diageo Buy Out Plan (DBOP).

(viii)  1,419 Ords of this award were delivered as tax-qualified share options.
(ix)  Kathryn Mikells must retain 97,474 Ords of the DBOP shares that vested on 9 November 2018 until 9 November 2020.
(x) 
Ivan Menezes must retain 19,317 ADR of the 37,328 shares that vested on 4 September 2018 until 4 September 2020.
(xi)  Kathryn Mikells also holds 1,031 outstanding options over ordinary shares under an all-employee share plan, which are not subject to performance and not included in this table.

119,580

54,356

51,268

42,848

593,888

–

–

54,356

51,268

42,848

593,888

–

–

128,253

32,380

27,062

366,021

128,253

32,380

27,062

366,021

–

–

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ remuneration report 

95

 CEO pay ratio

Diageo is committed to good corporate governance and transparency in the reporting of remuneration. Ahead of the new disclosure 
requirement coming into effect for Diageo in 2020, the CEO pay ratio for the year ended 30 June 2019 is outlined below.

Year

2019

Method

Option A

Option A excluding long-term incentives

Total pay and benefits

Salary

25th percentile pay ratio

Median pay ratio

75th percentile pay ratio

255:1

71:1

£45,782

£31,586

199:1

56:1

£58,448

£40,325

159:1

45:1

£73,179

£52,459

Methodology
The CEO pay ratio provides a comparison of the total remuneration paid to the Chief Executive in the year ended 30 June 2019 with the total 
remuneration paid to three employees at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile of Diageo’s workforce in the United Kingdom.

The three employees at these percentiles have been identified using ‘Option A’ of the three methodologies provided under the new 
regulations, which we believe is the most statistically accurate approach. Total full-time equivalent remuneration for people employed for the 
full 12-month period in the United Kingdom has been calculated in line with the methodology for the ‘single figure of remuneration’ for the 
Chief Executive (shown on page 90 of this report) and then ranked to identify the employees sitting at the percentiles. Total remuneration for 
employees is based on actual earnings for the 11 months to 31 May 2019, added to estimated pay for June 2019. Annual incentive payments for 
employees have been calculated using the Diageo Group financial performance outcome, rather than any regional or market business multiples, 
to ensure a like-for-like comparison across remuneration structures. Pension is calculated as the total cost of contributions made by the company 
during the financial year. Employees on inbound and outbound international assignments to and from the United Kingdom have been excluded 
from the analysis as their remuneration structures are not representative of the norm in the United Kingdom.

Points to note for 2019
The median pay ratio for 2019 of 199:1 reflects the impact of annual and long-term incentives, since a much greater proportion of the Chief 
Executive’s total remuneration is made up of performance-based pay, and in 2019 performance has been very strong.

Ratios will differ significantly between companies as a result of the business model and composition of the workforce. The structure of our 
business means that we employ a large number of manufacturing workers (almost half of our workforce in the United Kingdom), who are involved 
in the distillation, warehousing, maturation, bottling and packaging of Scotch whisky and other spirits and beer.

Attracting world-class talent across our United Kingdom business
Under our reward philosophy, we seek to attract world-class talent in an increasingly competitive market by offering total reward packages that 
people value and that support them to be their best.

•  We have a robust approach to salary management which is underpinned by regular market benchmarking to ensure that we offer competitive 
rates of pay across the business. We undertake regular reviews to maintain appropriate positioning against the market-linked salary ranges, 
with a particular focus on those individuals who are expected to progress into more stretching roles over time.

•  Diageo has been a Living Wage employer in the United Kingdom since 2017.

•  We offer a competitive pension scheme which provides a top-rate employer contribution of 14% of salary for all employees in the United 

Kingdom. Currently, many employees in the United Kingdom are members of legacy pension schemes and enjoy more generous employer 
contribution levels.

•  We are proud of the progress we have already made towards gender equality in our business and have a clear ambition to deliver more. 

Diageo Great Britain and Diageo Scotland reported a median pay gap of +5.4% for the year to April 2018, with women holding 34% of senior 
leadership roles, and our goal is to increase women senior leaders to 40% by 2025. We are proud of the work we have done towards closing 
the gender pay gap and are actively engaged in a range of initiatives to further improve how we attract, engage and develop women, as well 
as other under-represented groups. Attracting the broadest talent is crucial to our future growth and the sustainability of our business. 

•  We recently launched a new market-leading global family leave policy, which provides a minimum of 26 weeks’ of fully paid maternity leave 

to all women and a minimum of 4 weeks (with many of our markets moving to 26 weeks) of fully paid paternity leave to all men.

•  We firmly believe in the value of employee share ownership and encourage people to participate in our Sharesave and Share Incentive Plan 

(SIP) offering, which are tax-efficient plans in the United Kingdom that allow employees to share in the success of Diageo. Each year all 
employees receive up to 10% of salary in Freeshares under the SIP as well as being able to purchase additional shares and be eligible to receive 
matching shares from Diageo. Around 75% of employees in the United Kingdom participate in Sharesave and around 70% participate in the 
share purchase/share match feature of the SIP.

•  All employees in the United Kingdom also benefit from a product allowance, which allows them to enjoy (and be ambassadors for) 

Diageo products.

GOVERNANCE96 

 Salary

Salary increases to be applied in the year ending 30 June 2020
As outlined in the 2018 annual report on remuneration, base salaries for the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer were increased by 2%, 
effective from 1 October 2018.

In June 2019, the Remuneration Committee reviewed base salaries for senior management and agreed new salaries which will apply from 

1 October 2019. In determining these salaries, the Remuneration Committee took into consideration a number of factors including general 
employee salary budgets and employment conditions, individual performance and experience, and salary positioning relative to internal and 
external peers. The overall budgeted salary increase for the salary review in October 2019 is 3% of base salary for employees in the United 
Kingdom and 3% in North America.

The Committee considered very carefully the total remuneration positioning of the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, the salary 
budget for all employees in the United Kingdom and the expectations of shareholders with respect to continuing pay restraint. As a result, it was 
agreed that there would be a 3% salary increase for both the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer, effective from 1 October 2019.

Salary at 1 October (‘000)

Base salary

% increase (over previous year)

Ivan Menezes

Kathryn Mikells

2019

$1,661

3%

2018

$1,613

2%

2019

$1,093

3%

2018

$1,061

2%

 AIP design for the year ending 30 June 2020

The measures and targets used in the AIP are reviewed annually by the Remuneration Committee and are chosen to drive financial and individual 
business performance goals related to the company’s short-term strategic operational objectives. The AIP design for Executive Directors in the 
year ending 30 June 2020 will comprise of the following performance measures and weightings:

•  Operating profit (% growth) (26.67% weighting): stretching profit targets drive operational efficiency and influence the level of returns that can 

be delivered to shareholders through increases in share price and dividend income not including exceptional items or exchange;

•  Net sales (% growth) (26.67% weighting): a key performance measure of year-on-year top line growth;

•  Average working capital as a proportion of net sales (26.67% weighting): ensures focus on working capital management throughout the year 

and incentivises sustainable actions that are beneficial for the business in the long term; 

•  Individual business objectives (20% weighting): measurable deliverables that are specific to the individual and are focused on supporting the 

delivery of key strategic objectives. 

This is the same structure and weightings as applied in the year ended 30 June 2019, to ensure continued focus on both profit and loss and 
balance sheet measures.

Details of the targets for the year ending 30 June 2020 will be disclosed retrospectively in next year’s annual report on remuneration, by which 

time they will no longer be deemed commercially sensitive by the Board.

 DLTIP awards to be made in the year ending 30 June 2020

The long-term incentive plan measures are reviewed annually by the Remuneration Committee and are selected to reward long-term consistent 
performance in line with Diageo’s business strategy and to create alignment with the delivery of value for shareholders. The Committee 
has ensured that the incentive structure for senior management does not raise environmental, social and governance risks by inadvertently 
motivating irresponsible behaviour.

As last year, DLTIP awards made in September 2019 will comprise awards of both performance shares and share options, based on stretching 
targets against key performance measures as outlined in the table below. The performance share element of the DLTIP applies to the Executive 
Committee and the top cadre of Senior Leaders across the organisation worldwide, whilst the share option element is applicable to a much 
smaller population comprising only members of the Executive Committee. One market price option is valued at one-third of a performance share.
The table below outlines the targets and the vesting profile for these awards to the Executive Directors and the relative weightings of each 
performance measure as a percentage of the total award in performance share equivalents. Performance will be tested over three financial years, 
beginning with the year ending 30 June 2020.

Profit before 
exceptional items 
and tax (CAGR)

Organic net sales
 (CAGR)

Cumulative free cash 
flow (£m)

Relative total 
shareholder return

Performance shares

Share options

Profit before 
exceptional items 
and tax (CAGR)

Weighting (% total)

25%

25%

25%

12.5%

12.5%

Threshold

Midpoint

Maximum

4.5% p.a.

7.5% p.a.

3.75% p.a.

4.875% p.a.

£8,600m

£9,100m

10.5% p.a.

6.00% p.a.

£9,600m

Median ranking 
(ninth)

–

Upper quintile  
(third or above)

4.5% p.a.

7.5% p.a.

10.5% p.a.

Vesting profile

100%

20%

60%

100%

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ remuneration report 

97

It is intended that a DLTIP award of 500% of base salary will be made to Ivan Menezes in September 2019, comprising 375% of salary in 
performance shares and 125% of salary in market price share options (in performance share equivalents; one market price option is valued at one-
third of a performance share).

It is intended that a DLTIP award of 480% of salary will be made to Kathryn Mikells in September 2019, comprising 360% of salary in 

performance shares and 120% of salary in market price share options (in performance share equivalents).

The table below summarises the annual DLTIP awards to Ivan Menezes and Kathryn Mikells in September 2019.

Grant value (% salary)

Performance shares

Share options

Total

Performance graph and table

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Performance share equivalents (1 share: 3 options)

375%

125%

500%

360%

120%

480%

The graph below shows the total shareholder return for Diageo and the FTSE100 Index since 30 June 2009 and demonstrates the relationship 
between pay and performance for the Chief Executive, using current and previously published single total remuneration figures. The FTSE100 
Index has been chosen because it is a widely recognised performance benchmark for large companies in the United Kingdom.

Total shareholder return – 
value of hypothetical 
£100 holding 

Diageo
FTSE 100
Chief Executive total remuneration

Chief Executive
total remuneration
£ million

£550

£500

£450

£400

£350

£300

£250

£200

£150

£100

£50

0

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

June 2009 

June 2010 

June 2011 

June 2012 

June 2013 

June 2014 

June 2015 

June 2016 

June 2017 

June 2018 

June 2019

Paul S Walsh 
£'000

Paul S Walsh 
£'000

Paul S Walsh 
£'000

Paul S Walsh 
£'000

Ivan
Menezes(i)
£'000

Ivan
Menezes(i)
£’000

Ivan
Menezes(i)
£’000

Ivan
Menezes(i)
£’000

Ivan
Menezes(i)
£’000

Ivan
Menezes(i)
£’000

Chief Executive total 
remuneration (includes 
legacy LTIP awards)

Annual incentive  
(% maximum 
opportunity)

Share option  
(% maximum 
opportunity)

Performance share  
(% maximum 
opportunity)

3,231

4,449

11,746

15,557

7,312

3,888

4,156

3,399

8,995

11,654

86%

77%

74%

51%

9%

44%

65%

68%

70%

61.0%

100%

100%

100%

100%

0%

0%

65%

95%

71%

55%

0%

0%

33%

31%

0%

0%

60%

73.1%

70%

89.3%

(i)  To enable comparison Ivan Menezes’ single total figure of remuneration has been converted into sterling using the average weighted exchange rate for the relevant financial year.

GOVERNANCE 
 
98 

 Directors’ shareholding requirements and share and other interests (audited)

The beneficial interests of the Directors in office at 30 June 2019 (and their connected persons) in the ordinary shares (or ordinary share 
equivalents) of the company are shown in the table below.

Chairman

Javier Ferrán(iv)

Executive Directors

Ivan Menezes(iv)

Kathryn Mikells(iv)(vii)

Non-Executive Directors

Peggy Bruzelius(vi)

Lord Davies of Abersoch

Betsy Holden(iv)(vi)

Ho KwonPing

Alan Stewart

Nicola Mendelsohn

Susan Kilsby(iv)

Debra Crew(iv)(v)

Ordinary shares or equivalent(i)

30 June 2019 
(or date of 
departure,  
if earlier)

30 June 2018 
(or date of 
appointment, 
if later)

11 July 2019(ii)

Shareholding 
requirement 
(% salary)(iii)

Shareholding at 
11 July 2019

(% salary)(iii)

Shareholding 
requirement  
met

217,243

217,000

148,415

–

–

1,122,042

1,122,042

158,513

158,506

973,586

37,245

500%

400%

2,620%

563%

–

5,052

–

4,543

6,751

5,000

2,600

260

5,000

5,052

17,400

4,543

6,751

5,000

2,600

260

5,000

5,052

17,400

4,463

6,660

5,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Yes

Yes

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Notes
(i) 
Each person listed beneficially owns less than one percent of Diageo’s ordinary shares. Ordinary shares held by Directors have the same voting rights as all other ordinary shares.
(ii)  Any change in shareholding between the end of the financial year on 30 June 2019 and the last practicable date before publication of this report, being 11 July 2019, is outlined 

in the table above. The last practicable date is within one month of the AGM notice. 

(iii)  Both the shareholding requirement and shareholding at 11 July 2019 are expressed as a percentage of base salary on 30 June 2019 and calculated using an average share price 

for the year ended 30 June 2019 of 2919.66 pence.

(iv)  Javier Ferrán, Ivan Menezes, Kathryn Mikells, Susan Kilsby, Debra Crew and Betsy D Holden have share interests in ADRs (one ADR is equivalent to four ordinary shares); the share 

interests in the table are stated as ordinary share equivalents. 

(v)  Debra Crew was appointed to the Board on 18 April 2019.
(vi)  Peggy Bruzelius and Betsy Holden stepped down from the Board on 20 September 2018.
(vii)  Kathryn Mikells has five years from the date of her appointment, that is, until 9 November 2020, to meet the shareholding requirement.

Percentage change in remuneration of the director undertaking the role of Chief Executive

The table below shows a comparison of the percentage change in the Chief Executive’s remuneration to the average percentage change in 
remuneration for the UK and US population from 2018 to 2019. The chosen population represents the most appropriate comparator group for 
the Chief Executive, as the Committee considers salary increase budgets in these countries when reviewing Executive Directors’ base salaries. 
Furthermore, the majority of Executive Committee members as well as the Executive Directors are on UK or US reward packages.

Chief Executive percentage change from 2018 to 2019

Average % change for the UK and US workforce from 2018 to 2019

Salary

Taxable  
benefits

Bonus

% change

% change

% change

2%

5%

31%

0%

(11%)

23%

The percentage change for the Chief Executive is based on the remuneration of Ivan Menezes from 2018 to 2019.

UK salary, benefits and bonus data for both 2018 and 2019 have been converted into US dollars using the cumulative weighted average 

exchange rate for the year ended 30 June 2019 of £1 = $1.29.

External appointments held by the Executive Directors

Executive Directors may accept external appointments as Non-Executive Directors of other companies and retain any related fees paid to them, 
subject to the specific approval of the Board in each case.

Ivan Menezes – During the year ended 30 June 2019, Ivan Menezes served as a Non-Executive Director of Tapestry Inc and earned fees 
of $90,000. In line with the Tapestry Inc policy for outside directors, Ivan Menezes is eligible to be granted share options and restricted share 
units (RSUs). During the year ended 30 June 2019, he was granted 7,712 options at an option price of $43.03, 1,743 RSUs at a fair market value of 
$43.03 per share, 18 RSUs in lieu of dividends at a fair market value of $33.09 per share and 17 RSUs in lieu of dividends at a fair market value of 
$33.70 per share.

Kathryn Mikells – During the year ended 30 June 2019, Kathryn Mikells served as a Non-Executive Director of Hartford Financial Services Group 

Inc. and earned fees of $100,000 for the full year, which were deferred into equity.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ remuneration report 

99

Non-Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors’ fees
Javier Ferrán’s fee as non-executive Chairman effective 1 January 2018 is £600,000 per annum. The Chairman’s fee is appropriately positioned 
against our comparator group of FTSE 30 companies excluding financial services.

There was no change to the basic fee for Non-Executive Directors or to the additional fees for the Senior Non-Executive Director, Chair of the 

Audit Committee and Chair of the Remuneration Committee in the year ended 30 June 2019. The next review is scheduled for January 2020.

January 
2019

£’000

600

January 
2018

£’000

600

92

25

30

30

92

25

30

30

Total
£’000

2018

602

145

95

101

23

–

91

91

122

Per annum fees

Chairman of the Board

Non-Executive Directors

Basic fee

Senior Non-Executive Director

Chairman of the Audit Committee

Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 30 June 2019 (audited)

Chairman

Javier Ferrán(ii)

Non-Executive Directors

Lord Davies of Abersoch

Peggy Bruzelius(iii)

Betsy Holden(iii)

Susan Kilsby(iv)

Debra Crew(v)

Ho KwonPing

Nicola Mendelsohn

Alan Stewart

Fees
£’000

2018

600

142

90

90

22

–

90

90

120

2019

600

134

20

20

105

19

92

92

122

Taxable benefits(i)
£’000

2019

2018

2019

1

1

4

7

6

–

2

1

1

2

3

5

11

1

–

1

1

2

601

135

24

27

111

19

94

93

123

(i)  Taxable benefits include a contracted car service, product allowance and expense reimbursements relating to travel, accommodation and subsistence in connection with the 
attendance of Board meetings during the year, which are deemed by HMRC to be taxable in the United Kingdom. The amounts in the single figure of total remuneration table 
above include the grossed-up cost of UK tax paid by the company on behalf of the directors. Non-taxable expense reimbursements have not been included in the single figure 
of remuneration table above.

(ii)  £100,000 of Javier Ferrán’s net remuneration in the year ended 30 June 2019 was used for the monthly purchase of Diageo ordinary shares, which must be retained until he 

retires from the company or ceases to be a Director for any other reason.

(iii)  Peggy Bruzelius and Betsy Holden stepped down from the Board on 20 September 2018.
(iv)  Susan Kilsby was appointed as Chair of the the Remuneration Committee on 29 January 2019.
(v)  Debra Crew was appointed to the Board on 18 April 2019.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The graph below illustrates the relative importance of spend on 
pay (total remuneration of all group employees) compared with 
distributions to shareholders (total dividends plus the share buyback 
programme but excluding transaction costs), and the percentage 
change from the year ended 30 June 2018 to the year ended 
30 June 2019. The Committee considers that there are no other 
significant distributions or payments of profit or cash flow.

Relative importance of spend on pay – percentage change

Staff pay

1,509

1,580

4.7%

Distributions
to shareholders

3,079

4,392

42.6%

£m

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

2018

2019

GOVERNANCE100 

Remuneration committee
The Remuneration Committee consists of the following independent 
Non-Executive Directors: Susan Kilsby, Lord Davies of Abersoch, 
Ho KwonPing, Nicola S Mendelsohn, Alan JH Stewart and Debra 
Crew. Peggy B Bruzelius and Betsy D Holden were members of the 
Remuneration Committee until they stepped down from the Board 
on 20 September 2018. Susan Kilsby is the Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee. The Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive may, 
by invitation, attend Remuneration Committee meetings except when 
their own remuneration is discussed. Diageo’s Chief Human Resources 
Officer and Global Performance and Reward Director are also invited 
from time to time by the Remuneration Committee to provide their 
views and advice. The Chief Executive and Chief Human Resources 
Officer are not present when their own remuneration is discussed. 
The Chief Financial Officer may also attend to provide performance 
context to the Committee during its discussions about target setting. 
Information on meetings held and director attendance is disclosed in 
the corporate governance report.

The Remuneration Committee’s principal responsibilities are:

•  Making recommendations to the Board on remuneration policy as 
applied to the Executive Directors and the Executive Committee;

•  Setting, reviewing and approving individual remuneration 

arrangements for the Chairman of the Board, Executive Directors 
and Executive Committee members including terms and 
conditions of employment;

•  Determining arrangements in relation to termination of 

employment of the Executive Directors and other designated 
senior executives;

•  Making recommendations to the Board concerning the 

introduction of any new share incentive plans which require 
approval by shareholders; and

•  Ensuring that remuneration outcomes are appropriate in the 

context of underlying business performance, that remuneration 
practices are implemented in accordance with the approved 
remuneration policy, and that remuneration does not raise 
environmental, social and governance issues by inadvertently 
motivating irresponsible behaviour. 

Full terms of reference for the Committee are available at 
www.diageo.com and on request from the Company Secretary.

External advisors
During the year ended 30 June 2019, the Remuneration Committee 
received independent advice on executive remuneration from Mercer 
who was appointed by the Committee in December 2013. Following 
a tendering process, Deloitte was appointed by the Committee in 
May 2019 and provided advice for the remainder of the financial year. 

Mercer is a signatory to, and abides by, the Remuneration 
Consultants Group Code of Conduct. Further details can be found 
at www.remunerationconsultantsgroup.com. Mercer provides 
unrelated services to the company in the areas of all-employee reward 
and retirement benefits. The Remuneration Committee is satisfied 
that the advice it receives from Mercer is independent. During the 
year, Mercer supported the Committee in providing remuneration 
benchmarking survey data to support the salary review for the 
Executive Committee, providing advice on the design of long-term 
incentives and the level of stretch in the long-term incentive targets 
and providing periodic updates on the TSR of Diageo and its peer 
companies for outstanding performance cycles. The fees paid 
to Mercer in relation to advice provided to the Committee were 
£58,458 and were determined on a time and expenses basis.

Deloitte is also a signatory to, and abides by, the Remuneration 
Consultants Group Code of Conduct. During the past year, separate 
Deloitte teams provided consultancy support to Diageo in relation to 
services including mergers and acquisitions, analytics transformation, 
tax, immigration and net revenue management. The Remuneration 
Committee is satisfied that the advice it receives from Deloitte is 
independent. During the year, Deloitte supported the Committee in 
preparing this Directors’ remuneration report, providing advice on the 
design of the annual and long-term incentives, assessing the level of 
stretch in the annual and long-term incentive targets, calculating the 
TSR of Diageo and its peer companies for the 2016 DLTIP awards and 
an update on other outstanding performance cycles. The fees paid to 
Deloitte in relation to advice provided to the Committee during the 
year ended 30 June 2019 were £26,600 and were determined on a time 
and expenses basis.

Clifford Chance provided advice on the operation of share plans 
during the year. Fees paid in relation to this advice, again on a time and 
expenses basis, were £20,912.

The Committee is satisfied that the Mercer, Deloitte and Clifford 
Chance engagement partners and teams that provide remuneration 
advice to the Committee do not have connections with Diageo 
that may impair their independence. The Committee reviewed 
the potential for conflicts of interest and judged that there were 
appropriate safeguards against such conflicts.

Statement of voting
The following table summarises the details of votes cast in respect of the resolutions on the Directors’ remuneration policy at the 2017 AGM and 
the annual report on remuneration at the 2018 AGM.

Directors’ remuneration 
policy

Annual report on 
remuneration

Total number of votes

Percentage of votes cast

Total number of votes

Percentage of votes cast

For

Against

Total votes cast

1,905,251,510

96.19%

1,873,234,182

96.54%

75,507,013

3.81%

67,057,068

3.46%

1,980,758,523

100%

1,940,291,250

100%

Abstentions

2,048,247

n/a

11,728,553

n/a

The Committee was pleased with the level of support shown for the remuneration policy and implementation report and appreciated the active 
participation of shareholders and their representative advisory bodies in consulting on executive remuneration matters.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

101

Additional information

Emoluments and share interests of senior management

Statutory and audit requirements
This report was approved by a duly authorised Committee of the Board 
of Directors, on 23 July 2019 and was signed on its behalf by Susan 
Kilsby who is Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.

The Board has followed the principles of good governance as set 

out in the UK Corporate Governance Code and complied with the 
regulations contained in the Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-
sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 
2008, the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and the 
relevant schedules of the Companies Act 2006.

The Companies Act 2006 and the Listing Rules require the 

company’s auditor to report on the audited information in their report 
and to state that this section has been properly prepared in accordance 
with these regulations.

PWC LLP has audited the report to the extent required by 
the Regulations, being the sections headed Single total figure of 
remuneration for Executive Directors (and notes), Annual incentive 
plan (AIP), Long-term incentive plans (LTIPs), Pension arrangements, 
Directors’ shareholding requirements and share and other interests, 
Outstanding share plan interests, Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration 
and Key management personnel related party transactions.

The annual report on remuneration is subject to shareholder 

approval at the AGM on 19 September 2019; the directors’ 
remuneration policy was approved by shareholders at the 2017 AGM.
Terms defined in this remuneration report are used solely herein.

The total emoluments for the year ended 30 June 2019 of the Executive 
Directors, the Executive Committee members and the Company 
Secretary (together, the senior management) of Diageo comprising 
base salary, annual incentive plan, share incentive plan, termination 
payments and other benefits were £21.5 million (2018 – £20.3 million).
The aggregate amount of gains made by the senior management 

from the exercise of share options and from the vesting of awards 
during the year was £37 million. In addition, they were granted 914,727 
performance-based share options under the Diageo Long-Term 
Incentive Plan (DLTIP) during the year at a weighted average share 
price of 2715 pence, exercisable by 2028 and no options were granted 
under DLTIP that are not subject to performance. In addition they were 
granted 1,211 options over ordinary shares under the UK savings-
related share options scheme (SAYE). They were also awarded 1,211,885 
performance shares under the DLTIP and Diageo Exceptional Stock 
Award Plan (DESAP) in September 2018, which will vest in three years 
subject to the relevant performance conditions. 

Senior management options over ordinary shares
At 11 July 2019, the senior management had an aggregate beneficial 
interest in 2,365,736 ordinary shares in the company and in the 
following options over ordinary shares in the company:

Ivan Menezes

Kathryn Mikells

Other(i)

Weighted 
average  
exercise price

2324p

2455p

2297p

Option
period

2018 – 2028

2019 – 2028

2013 – 2028

Number 
of options

713,468

367,052

2,524,566

3,605,086

(i)  Other members of the Executive Committee, which includes the Company Secretary.

Key management personnel related party 
transactions (audited)
Key management personnel of the group comprises the Executive and 
Non-Executive Directors, the members of the Executive Committee 
and the Company Secretary.

Diageo plc has granted rolling indemnities to the Directors and 
the Company Secretary, uncapped in amount, in relation to certain 
losses and liabilities which they may incur in the course of acting as 
Directors or Company Secretary (as applicable) of Diageo plc or of one 
or more of its subsidiaries. These indemnities continue to be in place 
at 30 June 2019.

Other than disclosed in this report, no Director had any interest, 

beneficial or non-beneficial, in the share capital of the company. 
Save as disclosed above, no Director has or has had any interest in 
any transaction which is or was unusual in its nature, or which is or 
was significant to the business of the group and which was effected 
by any member of the group during the financial year, or which 
having been effected during an earlier financial year, remains in any 
respect outstanding or unperformed. There have been no material 
transactions during the last three years to which any Director or officer, 
or 3% or greater shareholder, or any spouse or dependent thereof, 
was a party. There is no significant outstanding indebtedness to the 
company from any Directors or officer or 3% or greater shareholder.

GOVERNANCE 
102 

Directors’ report

The Directors present the Directors’ report for the year ended 
30 June 2019.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held at etc.venues St Paul’s, 200 Aldersgate, London 
EC1A 4HD at 2.30pm on Thursday, 19 September 2019.

Directors
The Directors of the company who served during the year are 
shown in the section ‘Board of Directors and Company Secretary’ 
on pages 66 and 67.

In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all the 
Directors will retire by rotation at the AGM and offer themselves for 
re-election.

Further details of Directors’ contracts, remuneration and their 
interests in the shares of the company at 30 June 2019 are given in the 
Directors’ remuneration report.

The Directors’ powers are determined by UK legislation and 
Diageo’s articles of association. The Directors may exercise all the 
company’s powers provided that Diageo’s articles of association 
or applicable legislation do not stipulate that any powers must be 
exercised by the members.

Auditor
The auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, is willing to continue in office 
and a resolution for its re-appointment as auditor of the company will 
be submitted to the AGM.

Disclosure of information to the auditor
In accordance with section 418 of the Companies Act 2006, the 
Directors who held office at the date of approval of this Directors’ 
report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no relevant 
audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware; and 
each Director has taken all reasonable steps to ascertain any relevant 
audit information and to ensure that the company’s auditor is aware 
of that information.

Corporate governance statement
The corporate governance statement, prepared in accordance with 
rule 7.2 of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and 
Transparency Rules, comprises the following sections of the Annual 
Report: the ‘Corporate governance report’, the ‘Report of the Audit 
Committee’ and the ‘Additional information for shareholders’.

Significant agreements – change of control
The following significant agreements contain certain termination and 
other rights for Diageo’s counterparties upon a change of control of 
the company.

Under the partners agreement governing the company’s 
34% investment in Moët Hennessy SAS (MH) and Moët Hennessy 
International SAS (MHI), if a Competitor (as defined therein) directly or 
indirectly takes control of the company (which, for these purposes, 
would occur if such competitor acquired more than 34% of the voting 
rights or equity interests in the company), LVMH Moët Hennessy – 
Louis Vuitton SA (LVMH) may require the company to sell its interests 
in MH and MHI to LVMH.

The master agreement governing the operation of the group’s 
market level distribution joint ventures with LVMH states that if any 
person acquires interests and rights in the company resulting in 

a Control Event (as defined) occurring in respect of the company, 
LVMH may within 12 months of the Control Event either appoint and 
remove the chairman of each joint venture entity governed by such 
master agreement, who shall be given a casting vote, or require each 
distribution joint venture entity to be wound up. Control Event for 
these purposes is defined as the acquisition by any person of more 
than 30% of the outstanding voting rights or equity interests in the 
company, provided that no other person or entity (or group of affiliated 
persons or entities) holds directly or indirectly more than 30% of the 
voting rights in the company.

Related party transactions
Transactions with other related parties are disclosed in note 20 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Major shareholders
At 30 June 2019, the following substantial interests (3% or more) in the 
company’s ordinary share capital (voting securities) had been notified 
to the company.

Percentage  
of issued  
ordinary share 
capital 
(excluding 
treasury 
shares)

Number of  
ordinary 
shares

147,296,928

5.89%

Date of 
notification  
of interest

3 December 
2009

124,653,096

4.99% 28 April 2009

Shareholder

BlackRock Investment 
Management (UK) Limited 
(indirect holding)

Capital Research and 
Management Company 
(indirect holding)

The company has not been notified of any other substantial interests 
in its securities since 30 June 2019. The company’s substantial 
shareholders do not have different voting rights. Diageo, so far as is 
known by the company, is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled 
by another corporation or by any government. Diageo knows of no 
arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result 
in a change of control of the company.

Employment policies
A key strategic imperative of the company is to attract, retain and 
grow a pool of diverse, talented employees. Diageo recognises that 
a diversity of skills and experiences in its workplace and communities 
will provide a competitive advantage. To enable this the company has 
various global employment policies and standards, covering such 
issues as resourcing, human rights, health, safety and wellbeing. These 
policies and standards seek to ensure that the company treats current 
or prospective employees justly, solely according to their abilities to 
meet the requirements and standards of their role and in a fair and 
consistent way. This includes giving full and fair consideration to 
applications from prospective employees who are disabled, having 
regard to their aptitudes and abilities, and not discriminating 
against employees under any circumstances (including in relation 
to applications, training, career development and promotion) on 
the grounds of any disability.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Directors’ report 

103

Other information
Other information relevant to the Directors’ report may be found in the following sections of the Annual Report:

Information (including that required  
by UK Listing Authority Listing Rule 9.8.4)

Agreements with controlling shareholders

Amendment of articles of association

Contracts of significance

Details of long-term incentive schemes

Directors – appointment and powers

Directors’ indemnities and compensation

Dividends

Employment policies

Events since 30 June 2019

Financial risk management

Future developments

Greenhouse gas emissions

Location in Annual Report

Not applicable

Additional information for shareholders – Articles of association

Not applicable

Directors’ remuneration report

Additional information for shareholders – Articles of association – Directors

Directors’ remuneration report – Additional information; Financial Statements – note 
20 Related party transactions

Financial Statements – Unaudited financial information and group financial review

Strategic report – How we protect our business; our principal risks and risk 
management; Strategic report – Sustainability & Responsibility review

Financial statements – note 22 Post balance sheet events

Financial statements – note 15 Financial instruments and risk management

Chairman’s statement; Chief Executive’s statement; Market dynamics

Strategic report – Sustainability & Responsibility review – Reducing our environmental 
impact; Additional information for shareholders – External limited assurance of 
selected Sustainability & Responsibility performance data

Interest capitalised

Non-pre-emptive issues of equity for cash  
(including in respect of major unlisted subsidiaries)

Not applicable

Not applicable

Parent participation in a placing by a listed subsidiary

Not applicable

Political donations

Corporate governance report

Provision of services by a controlling shareholder

Not applicable

Publication of unaudited financial information

Unaudited financial information

Purchase of own shares

Research and development

Restrictions on transfer of securities

Review of the business & principal risks and uncertainties

Additional information for shareholders – Articles of association – Repurchase 
of shares; Financial statements – note 17 Equity

Financial statements – note 3 Operating costs

Additional information for shareholders – Articles of association – Restrictions 
on transfer of shares

Chief Executive’s statement; Strategic report: How we protect our business:  
our principal risks and risk management

Share capital – structure, voting and other rights

Additional information for shareholders – Articles of association; Financial statements 
– note 17 Equity

Share capital – employee share plan voting rights

Financial statements – note 17 Equity

Shareholder waivers of dividends

Shareholder waivers of future dividends

Sustainability & responsibility

Financial statements – note 17 Equity

Financial statements – note 17 Equity

Strategic report – How we protect our business: our principal risks and risk 
management; Strategic report – Sustainability & Responsibility review

Waiver of emoluments by a director

Waiver of future emoluments by a director

Not applicable

Not applicable

The Directors’ report of Diageo plc for the year ended 30 June 2019 comprises these pages and the sections of the Annual Report referred to 
under ‘Directors’, ‘Corporate governance statement’ and ‘Other information’ above, which are incorporated into the Directors’ report by reference. 
In addition, certain disclosures required to be contained in the Directors’ report have been incorporated into the ‘Strategic report’ as set out in 
‘Other information’ above.

The Directors’ report, which has been approved by a duly appointed and authorised committee of the Board of Directors, was signed on its 

behalf by Siobhán Moriarty, the Company Secretary, on 25 July 2019.

GOVERNANCE104 

Financial statements

Introduction and contents

Introduction

Contents

The financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted 
for use in the European Union (EU) and as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). 

The financial statements of Diageo plc (the company) are prepared 
in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance 
with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure 
Framework (FRS 101). 

The financial statements also include ’Unaudited Financial 
Information’ which is not required by the relevant accounting 
standards or other regulations but management believes this 
section provides important additional information.

Independent auditor’s report to the  
members of Diageo plc 

Primary statements
Consolidated income statement 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
Consolidated balance sheet 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
Consolidated statement of cash flows 

Accounting information and policies 
1.  Accounting information and policies 

Results for the year 
2.  Segmental information 
3.   Operating costs 
4.   Exceptional items 
5.   Finance income and charges 
6.   Investments in associates and joint ventures 
7.   Taxation 
8.   Discontinued operations 

Operating assets and liabilities 
9.   Acquisition and sale of businesses and purchase  

of non-controlling interests 

10. Intangible assets 
11. Property, plant and equipment 
12. Other investments 
13. Post employment benefits 
14. Working capital 

Risk management and capital structure 
15. Financial instruments and risk management 
16. Net borrowings 
17.  Equity 

Other financial information 
18. Contingent liabilities and legal proceedings 
19. Commitments 
20. Related party transactions 
21. Principal group companies 
22. Post balance sheet events 

Financial statements of the company 

Unaudited financial information 

105

112
113
114
115
116

117
117

119
119
122
123
125
125
126
128

129

129
132
135
136
136
140

142
142
148
149

153
153
157
157
158
158

159

168

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Independent auditor’s report 

105

Independent auditor’s report to the members 
of Diageo plc

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion
In our opinion:

•  Diageo plc’s group financial statements and company financial 
statements (the ‘financial statements’) give a true and fair view 
of the state of the group’s and of the company’s affairs as at 
30 June 2019 and of the group’s profit and cash flows for the 
year then ended;

•  the group financial statements have been properly prepared in 

accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 
as adopted by the European Union;

•  the company financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 
101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”, and applicable law); and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Other than those disclosed in note 3(b) to the financial statements, 
we have provided no other non-audit services to the group or the 
company in the period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

Our audit approach
Overview

Materiality

•  Group financial statements: £209 million (2018 – £193 million), based 
on 5% of profit before taxation and exceptional items (as defined in 
note 4 to the group financial statements).

•  Company financial statements: £93 million (2018 – £96 million), 

based on 0.5% of net assets. For the purposes of the group audit, 
we applied a lower materiality of £24 million (2018 – £21 million) to 
company balances and transactions, other than those which were 
eliminated on consolidation in the group financial statements.

Audit scope

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual 
Report, which comprise: the consolidated and company balance 
sheets as at 30 June 2019; the consolidated income statement and 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year 
then ended; the consolidated and company statements of changes 
in equity for the year then ended; the consolidated statement of 
cash flows for the year then ended; and the notes to the group and 
company financial statements, which include a description of the 
significant accounting policies.

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the 

Audit Committee.

•  We conducted full scope audit work in eight countries in which the 
group has significant operations. Our work also covered the five 
group shared service centres.

•  In addition, we performed the audit of specific balances and 

transactions in eight countries, and obtained reporting over the 
financial information of Moët Hennessy, the group’s principal 
associate, from its auditor.

•  During the year, the group engagement team visited eight 

countries where full scope audits were performed, four shared 
service centres and five of the countries where audits of specific 
balances and transactions took place.

Separate opinion in relation to IFRSs as issued by the IASB
As explained in note 1 to the group financial statements, the group, 
in addition to applying IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, 
has also applied IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB).

In our opinion, the group financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards 
on Auditing (UK) (‘ISAs (UK)’) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
under ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors’ responsibilities 
for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We 
believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the group in accordance with the 
ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 
statements in the United Kingdom, which includes the FRC’s Ethical 
Standard, as applicable to listed public interest entities, and we 
have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with 
these requirements.

To the best of our knowledge and belief, we declare that non-
audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not 
provided to the group or the company.

Areas of focus

•  Carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets (group)

•  Uncertain tax positions in respect of direct and indirect 

taxes (group)

•  Presentation of exceptional items (group)

•  Provisions and contingent liabilities (group and company)

•  Post employment benefit obligations (group)

The scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and 
assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial 
statements. In particular, we looked at where the directors made 
subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant 
accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and 
considering future events that are inherently uncertain.

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud
We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework 
applicable to the group and the industry in which it operates, and 
considered the risk of acts by the group which were contrary to 
applicable laws and regulations, including fraud. We designed audit 
procedures at group and significant component level to respond 
to the risk, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material 
misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting 
one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS106 

by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through 
collusion. We focused on laws and regulations that could give rise 
to a material misstatement in the group and company financial 
statements, including, but not limited to, the Companies Act 2006, 
the Listing Rules, UK tax legislation and equivalent local laws and 
regulations applicable to significant component teams. Our tests 
included, but were not limited to, review of the financial statement 
disclosures to underlying supporting documentation, review of 
correspondence with legal advisors, enquiries of management, 
review of significant component auditors’ work and review of internal 
audit reports in so far as they related to the financial statements. 
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described 
above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the 
financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it, 
and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might 
have a material effect on the financial statements. We evaluated 
management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent 
manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of 
override of controls), and shared this risk assessment with the 
component auditors so that they could include appropriate audit 
procedures in response to such risks in their work.

We did not identify any key audit matters relating to irregularities, 
including fraud. As in all of our audits we also addressed the risk of 
management override of internal controls, including testing journals 
and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the Directors 
that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ professional 
judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial 
statements of the current period and include the most significant 
assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) 
identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest 
effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources 
in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. 
These matters, and any comments we make on the results of our 
procedures thereon, were addressed in the context of our audit 
of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 
This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets (group)
Refer to the Report of the Audit Committee and note 10 – Intangible 
assets
The group has goodwill of £2,682 million, indefinite-lived brand 
intangibles of £8,274 million and other intangible assets of 
£1,601 million as at 30 June 2019.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets must be tested 

for impairment on at least an annual basis. The determination of 
recoverable amount, being the higher of value-in-use and fair value 
less costs to dispose, requires estimations on the part of 
management in both identifying and then valuing the relevant 
CGUs. Recoverable amounts are based on management’s 
assumptions of variables and market conditions such as future price 
and volume growth rates, the timing of future operating 
expenditure, and the most appropriate discount and long-term 
growth rates.

Management has determined that the CGU containing the USL 
goodwill and the Windsor Premier brand are sensitive to reasonably 
possible changes in the assumptions used, which could result in the 
calculated recoverable amount being lower than the carrying value 
of the CGU or the brand. Additional sensitivity disclosure has been 
included in the group financial statements in respect of these CGUs.

We evaluated the appropriateness of management’s identification 
of the group’s CGUs and tested the operation of the group’s controls 
over the impairment assessment process, which we found to be 
satisfactory for the purposes of our audit.

Our audit procedures included challenging management on the 

appropriateness of the impairment models and reasonableness of 
the assumptions used, focusing in particular on the CGU containing 
the USL goodwill, certain USL brands and Windsor Premier brand, 
through performing the following:

•  Benchmarking Diageo’s key market-related assumptions 

in the models, including discount rates, long-term growth 
rates and exchange rates, against external data, using our 
valuation expertise.

•  Assessing the reliability of cash flow forecasts through a review 

of actual past performance and comparison to previous forecasts.

•  Testing the mathematical accuracy and performing sensitivity 

analyses of the models.

•  Understanding the commercial prospects of the assets, and where 
possible comparison of assumptions with external data sources.

•  For the Windsor Premier brand, we specifically challenged the 
reasonableness of the forecast assumptions in the context of 
consumer demand changing; and

•  For the USL goodwill, we assessed the reasonableness of the 

forecasts by challenging the assumptions in respect of growth and 
margin strategies in the Indian market.

Based on our procedures, we noted no material exceptions 
and considered management’s key assumptions to be within 
reasonable ranges.

We assessed the appropriateness and completeness of the 
related disclosures in note 10 of the group financial statements, 
including the sensitivities provided in respect of USL goodwill and 
the Windsor Premier brand, and considered them to be reasonable.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Independent auditor’s report 

107

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Uncertain tax positions in respect of direct and indirect 
taxes (group)
Refer to the Report of the Audit Committee, note 7 – Taxation, and 
note 18 – Contingent liabilities and legal proceedings
The group operates across a large number of jurisdictions and is 
subject to periodic challenges by local tax authorities on a range 
of tax matters during the normal course of business, including 
transfer pricing, direct and indirect taxes, and transaction related tax 
matters. As at 30 June 2019, the group has corporate tax receivables 
of £83 million, corporate tax payables of £378 million, deferred tax 
assets of £138 million and deferred tax liabilities of £2,032 million.
Where the amount of tax payable is uncertain, the group 
establishes provisions based on management’s judgement of the 
likelihood of settlement being required.

We focused on the judgements made by management in 
assessing the likelihood of potentially material exposures and the 
estimates used to determine such provisions where required. In 
particular, we focused on the impact of changes in local tax 
regulations and ongoing inspections by local tax authorities and 
international bodies, which could materially impact the amounts 
recorded in the group financial statements.

This included evaluating the impact of the European 

We evaluated the design and implementation of controls in 
respect of identifying uncertain tax positions, which we found to 
be satisfactory for the purposes of our audit. We also evaluated the 
related accounting policy for provisioning for tax exposures and 
found it to be appropriate.

We used our tax specialists to gain an understanding of the 
current status of tax assessments and investigations and to monitor 
developments in ongoing disputes. We read recent rulings and 
correspondence with local tax authorities, as well as external advice 
provided by the group’s tax experts and legal advisors where 
relevant, to satisfy ourselves that the tax provisions had been 
appropriately recorded or adjusted to reflect the latest 
developments. Where the basis for the conclusion reached was less 
clear, we challenged the legal advisors and tax experts on how their 
view was reached.

We challenged management’s key assumptions, in particular on 

cases where there had been significant developments with tax 
authorities, noting no significant deviations from our expectations.
In respect of the tax audit in France, we read correspondence 

with the tax authorities, including the offer of settlement and 
acceptance, to obtain comfort over the classification and quantum 
of the balances recorded within the financial statements.

Commission’s State aid investigation, the tax audit in France, indirect 
tax assessments in developing markets and assessments relating to 
financing and transfer pricing structures.

We assessed the appropriateness of the related disclosures in 
notes 7 and 18 of the group financial statements, and considered 
them to be reasonable.

Presentation of exceptional items (group)
Refer to the Report of the Audit Committee and note 4 – 
Exceptional items
In the past few years the group has reported significant levels 
of exceptional items separately within the consolidated income 
statement which are excluded from management’s reporting of the 
underlying results of the group.

The nature of these exceptional items is explained within the 
group accounting policy and includes gains or losses arising on 
acquisitions or disposals, changes in post employment plans, 
impairment of intangible and fixed assets, staff costs, finance 
charges, other external charges and costs resulting from non-
recurring legal or tax matters.

This year the group has reported £74 million of net operating 
exceptional costs, £144 million of net exceptional non-operating 
gains, £9 million of exceptional finance charges and £39 million of 
net tax exceptional charges, which are primarily in respect of:

•  A sale of a portfolio of 19 brands in North America;

•  A provision in respect of the benefits equalisation of the group’s 

pension schemes;

•  A provision in respect of indirect taxes in South Korea;

•  A tax provision in respect of the tax audit in France; and

•  A tax credit in respect of a change in the substantively enacted 

rate corporate income tax in the Netherlands.

We evaluated the design and implementation of controls in respect 
of exceptional items, which we found to be satisfactory for the 
purposes of our audit.

We considered the judgements and estimates within 

management’s accounting papers for the one-off transactions, and 
obtained corroborative evidence for the items presented as 
exceptional items. We considered these to be supportable.
Our procedures pertaining to the gain (£155 million) and 

associated tax charge (£33 million) arising on disposal of a portfolio 
of brands included:

•  review of the underlying agreements and agreeing of it to the 
accounting records, including testing of completeness and 
mathematical accuracy;

•  involvement of tax experts to evaluate the tax impact of the 

disposal and correct allocation between the tax jurisdiction; and

•  assessment of the exceptional items to be appropriate, given 
the magnitude, non-operating and non-recurring nature 
of transaction.

We have reviewed the calculation methodology applied by 
management to determine the estimated impact of £21 million 
on the group’s pension scheme associated with GMP and believe 
this to be supportable. We ensured that disclosure of this charge 
as exceptional, given the specific one-off nature of the matter, 
is appropriate.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS108 

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Presentation of exceptional items (group) contd.
Refer to the Report of the Audit Committee and note 4 – 
Exceptional items
Our specific area of focus was to assess whether the items identified 
by management as exceptional met the definition of the group’s 
accounting policy (i.e. are exceptional in nature and/or size) and have 
been treated consistently, as the identification of such items requires 
judgement by management. Consistency in the identification and 
presentation of these items is important to ensure the comparability 
of year-on-year reporting.

Provisions and contingent liabilities (group and company)
Refer to the Report of the Audit Committee, note 18 – Contingent 
liabilities and legal proceedings
The group faces a number of threatened and actual legal and 
regulatory cases. There is a high level of judgement required in 
assessing the likelihood of settlement and the disclosures required. 
There is also estimation risk in assessing the level of potential 
exposure that may exist.

A provision of £35 million was recorded as exceptional in respect 
of historical tax risk in South Korea. We have reviewed the calculation 
basis, including assessment of interest and penalties, and the latest 
tax guidance provided by the authorities. Given the magnitude and 
historic nature of the item we consider the exceptional classification 
to be supportable.

The procedures performed with regards to the tax audit in France 

are summarised under the ‘Uncertain tax positions in respect of 
direct and indirect taxes’ section above.

In respect of a £51 million deferred tax credit for the future tax 
rate change substantively enacted in the Netherlands during the 
period, we tested management’s calculation, including the 
mathematical accuracy and completeness of the benefit recognised.
We challenged management’s rationale for the designation of 
certain items as exceptional and assessed such items against the 
group’s accounting policy considering the nature and value of the 
items and ensuring a consistent approach had been taken year on year.

We assessed the appropriateness and completeness of the 
disclosures in note 4 and other related notes to the group financial 
statements, and checked that these reflected the output of 
management’s accounting papers, noting no significant deviations 
from our expectations.

We also considered whether there were items that were recorded 

within underlying profit that we determined to be exceptional in 
nature and should have been reported within ‘exceptional items’. 
No such material items were identified.

We evaluated the design and implementation of controls in 
respect of litigation and regulatory matters, which we found to be 
satisfactory for the purposes of our audit.

Our procedures included the following:

•  Where relevant, reading external legal advice obtained by 
management to assess the likelihood and quantum of the 
potential liability;

•  Discussing open matters and developments with the group and 

regional general counsel;

•  Meeting with regional and local management and reading 

relevant correspondence;

•  Assessing and challenging management’s conclusions through 

understanding precedents set in similar cases to assess 
management’s judgments and estimates of the liability where 
relevant; and

•  Circularising relevant third p arty legal confirmations, together with 

follow up discussions, where appropriate, on certain cases.

Based on the evidence obtained, whilst noting the inherent 
uncertainty with such legal and regulatory matters, we determined 
that the level of provisioning at 30 June 2019 is appropriate.

We assessed the appropriateness of the related disclosures in 
note 18 of the group financial statements, and consider them to be 
reasonable.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Independent auditor’s report 

109

Post employment benefit obligations (group)
Refer to the Report of the Audit Committee and note 13 – Post 
employment benefits
The group has approximately 40 defined benefit post employment 
plans. The total present value of obligations is £9,498 million at 
30 June 2019, which is significant in the context of the overall 
balance sheet of the group. The group’s most significant plans are 
in the United Kingdom, Ireland and United States.

The valuation of pension plan liabilities requires estimation in 

determining appropriate assumptions such as salary increases, 
mortality rates, discount rates, inflation levels and the impact of 
any changes in individual pension plans. Movements in these 
assumptions can have a material impact on the determination of the 
liability. Management uses external actuaries to assist in determining 
these assumptions.

How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed 
enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements 
as a whole, taking into account the structure of the group and the 
parent company, the accounting processes and controls, and the 
industry in which they operate.

The group operates as 21 geographically based markets across 
five regions, together with supply and corporate functions. These 
markets report through a significant number of individual reporting 
components, which are supported by the group’s five principal shared 
service centres in Hungary, Kenya, Colombia, the Philippines and 
India. The outputs from these shared service centres are included in 
the financial information of the reporting components they service, 
and therefore are not separate reporting components. In establishing 
the overall approach to the group audit, we determined the type of 
work that needed to be performed at reporting components by us, 
as the group engagement team, or component auditors from either 
other PwC network firms or the non-PwC firm operating under our 
instruction. This included consideration of the procedures required to 
be performed by our audit teams at the group’s shared service centres 
to support our component auditors.

We identified one reporting component which, in our view, 
required an audit of its complete financial information, due to its 
significance to the group. This reporting component was North 
America. A further 13 reporting components had an audit of their 
complete financial information, either due to their size or their risk 
characteristics, which included seven operating and three treasury 
reporting components. We audited specific balances and transactions 
at a further nine reporting components, and obtained reporting over 
the financial information of Moët Hennessy, the group’s principal 
associate, from its auditor, primarily to ensure appropriate audit 
coverage. The work performed at each of the five shared services 
centres, including testing of transaction processing and controls, 
supported the financial information of the reporting components 
they service.

Certain specific audit procedures over central corporate functions 
and areas of significant judgement, including goodwill and intangible 

We evaluated the design and implementation of controls in respect 
of post employment benefit obligations, which we found to be 
satisfactory for the purposes of our audit.

We used our actuarial experts to assess whether the assumptions 
used in calculating the liabilities for the United Kingdom, Ireland and 
United States pension plans were reasonable, by performing the 
following:

•  Assessing whether salary increases and mortality rate assumptions 

were consistent with the specifics of each plan and, where 
applicable, with relevant national and industry benchmarks;

•  Verifying that the discount and inflation rates used were consistent 
with our internally developed benchmarks and in line with other 
companies’ recent external reporting; and

•  Reviewing the calculations prepared by external actuaries to assess 

the consistency of the assumptions used.

Based on our procedures, we noted no exceptions and considered 
management’s key assumptions to be within reasonable ranges.
We assessed the appropriateness of the related disclosures in 
note 13 of the group financial statements, and consider them to 
be reasonable.

assets, business combinations, taxation, and material provisions and 
contingent liabilities, were performed at the group’s head office. We 
also performed work centrally on systems and IT general controls, 
consolidation journals and the one-off transactions undertaken by the 
group during the year.
Together, the central and component locations at which work was 
performed by the group engagement team and component auditors 
accounted for 73% of group net sales, 89% of group total assets, and 
63% of group profit before tax and exceptional items, with work 
performed by the group engagement team over all exceptional 
items, as listed in note 4 to the consolidated financial statements. At 
the group level, we also carried out analytical and other procedures 
on the reporting components not covered by the procedures 
described above.

Where the work was performed by component auditors, including 

by our shared service centre auditors, we determined the level of 
involvement we needed to have in the audit work at those locations 
to be able to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence 
had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the group financial 
statements as a whole. We issued formal, written instructions to 
component auditors setting out the work to be performed by each of 
them and maintained regular communication throughout the audit 
them and maintained regular communication throughout the audit 
cycle. These interactions included attending component clearance 
cycle. These interactions included attending component clearance 
meetings and holding regular conference calls, as well as reviewing 
meetings and holding regular conference calls, as well as reviewing 
and assessing matters reported.
and assessing matters reported.

Senior members of the group engagement team also visited 14 
Senior members of the group engagement team also visited 14 
component locations (in eight countries) in scope for an audit of their 
component locations (in eight countries) in scope for an audit of their 
complete financial information, as well as four of the shared centre 
complete financial information, as well as four of the shared centre 
locations and eight of the components (five countries) where audits 
locations and eight of the components (five countries) where audits 
of specific balances and transactions took place. These visits included 
of specific balances and transactions took place. These visits included 
meetings with local management and with the component auditors, 
meetings with local management and with the component auditors, 
as well as certain operating site tours. The group engagement partners 
as well as certain operating site tours. The group engagement partners 
also attended the year-end clearance call for North America and the 
also attended the year-end clearance call for North America and the 
group engagement team reviewed the audit working papers for the 
group engagement team reviewed the audit working papers for the 
components which performed an audit of the complete financial 
components which performed an audit of the complete financial 
information and certain other components.
information and certain other components.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS110 

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. 
We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, together 
with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of 
our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures 
on the individual financial statement line items and disclosures and 
in evaluating the effect of misstatements, both individually and in 
aggregate on the financial statements as a whole.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality 

for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Group financial 
statements

Company financial  
statements

Overall 
materiality

£209 million 
(2018 – £193 million).

How we 
determined it

5% of profit before 
taxation and 
exceptional items (as 
defined in note 4 to 
the group financial 
statements).

Rationale for 
benchmark 
applied

We consider an 
adjusted measure 
to be one of 
the principal 
considerations for the 
members of Diageo 
plc in assessing the 
recurring financial 
performance of 
the group as it best 
represents results 
from underlying 
operations.

£93 million (2018 – £96 million).
For the purposes of the audit of 
the group financial statements, 
we applied a lower materiality of 
£24 million (2018 – £21 million) 
to all balances and transactions, 
other than those which 
eliminated on consolidation in 
the group financial statements.

Materiality of £93 million for the 
company financial statements 
was based on 0.5% of net 
assets. Our lower materiality of 
£24 million for the line items 
set out above was based on 
our calculation and allocation 
of component materiality for 
the group audit.

The results of procedures 
performed over balances and 
transactions contributing to the 
group’s overall results were used 
to support our group opinion.
Balances and transactions that 
eliminate on consolidation were 
audited to a higher materiality. 
We consider a net asset measure 
to reflect the nature of the 
company, which primarily 
acts as a holding company for 
the group’s investments and 
holds certain liabilities on the 
balance sheet.

For each component in the scope of our group audit, we allocated a 
materiality that is less than our overall group materiality. The range of 
materiality allocated across components was between £10 million and 
£140 million. Certain components were audited to a local statutory 
audit materiality that was also less than our overall group materiality.
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to 
them misstatements identified during our audit above £10 million 
(2018 – £10 million) for both the group and company as well as 
misstatements below those amounts that, in our view, warranted 
reporting for qualitative reasons.

Going concern
In accordance with ISAs (UK) we report as follows:

Reporting obligation

Outcome

We are required to report if we have anything 
material to add or draw attention to in respect 
of the directors’ statement in the financial 
statements about whether the directors 
considered it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing 
the financial statements and the directors’ 
identification of any material uncertainties to 
the group’s and the parent company’s ability 
to continue as a going concern over a period 
of at least twelve months from the date of 
approval of the financial statements.

We are required to report if the directors’ 
statement relating to Going Concern in 
accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is 
materially inconsistent with our knowledge 
obtained in the audit.

We have nothing material 
to add or to draw attention 
to. However, because 
not all future events 
or conditions can be 
predicted, this statement 
is not a guarantee as to 
the group’s and parent 
company’s ability to 
continue as a going 
concern. For example, the 
terms on which the United 
Kingdom may withdraw 
from the European Union 
are not clear, and it is 
difficult to evaluate all of 
the potential implications 
on the group’s trade, 
customers, suppliers and 
the wider economy.

We have nothing 
to report.

Reporting on other information
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual 
Report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report 
thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. 
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, 
except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any form 
of assurance thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our 

responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with 
the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify an apparent 
material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required 
to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material 
misstatement of the financial statements or a material misstatement 
of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, 
we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other 
information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to 
report based on these responsibilities.

With respect to the Strategic report and Directors’ report, we also 
considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies Act 
2006 have been included.

Based on the responsibilities described above and our work 

undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 (CA06), 
ISAs (UK) and the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) 
require us also to report certain opinions and matters as described 
below (required by ISAs (UK) unless otherwise stated).

Strategic report and Directors’ report
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the 
audit, the information given in the Strategic report and Directors’ 
report for the year ended 30 June 2019 is consistent with the financial 
statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal 
requirements. (CA06)
In light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and 
company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, 
we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic report 
and Directors’ report. (CA06)

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Independent auditor’s report 

111

The directors’ assessment of the prospects of the group and of 
the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity 
of the group
We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding:

•  The directors’ confirmation on page 75 of the Annual Report that 

they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the group, including those that would threaten its business model, 
future performance, solvency or liquidity.

•  The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and 

explain how they are being managed or mitigated.

•  The directors’ explanation on page 20 of the Annual Report as to how 
they have assessed the prospects of the group, over what period they 
have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, 
and their statement as to whether they have a reasonable 
expectation that the group will be able to continue in operation and 
meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, 
including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary 
qualifications or assumptions.

We have nothing to report having performed a review of the directors’ 
statement that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 
principal risks facing the group and statement in relation to the longer-
term viability of the group. Our review was substantially less in scope 
than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering 
the directors’ process supporting their statements; checking that the 
statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’); and considering whether the 
statements are consistent with the knowledge and understanding of 
the group and parent company and their environment obtained in the 
course of the audit. (Listing Rules)

Other Code provisions
We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility 
to report when:

•  The statement given by the directors, on page 76, that they 

consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced 
and understandable, and provides the information necessary for 
the members to assess the group’s and company’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent 
with our knowledge of the group and company obtained in the 
course of performing our audit.

•  The section of the Annual Report on page 78 describing the work 
of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 
communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

The directors’ statement relating to the company’s compliance with 
the Code does not properly disclose a departure from a relevant 
provision of the Code specified, under the Listing Rules, for review by 
the auditors.

Directors’ remuneration
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to 
be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006. (CA06)

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit
Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements

•  As explained more fully in the Responsibility statement set out 
on page 76, the directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable 
framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view. The directors are also responsible for such internal control as 
they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due 
to fraud or error.

•  In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible 
for assessing the group’s and the company’s ability to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the 
directors either intend to liquidate the group or the company or to 
cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that 
includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, 
but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with 
ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material 
if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected 
to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of 
these financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the 

financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at: www.frc.
org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our 
auditor’s report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for 
the company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of 
Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do 
not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any 
other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown 
or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our 
prior consent in writing.

Other required reporting
Companies Act 2006 exception reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, 
in our opinion:

•  We have not received all the information and explanations we require 

for our audit; or

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the company, or 
returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches 
not visited by us; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or

•  the company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ 

remuneration report to be audited are not in agreement with the 
accounting records and returns.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Appointment
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were 
appointed by the members on 23 September 2015 to audit the 
financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2016 and subsequent 
financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is four 
years, covering the years ended 30 June 2016 to 30 June 2019.

Ian Chambers (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
London
25 July 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS112 

Consolidated income statement

Sales
Excise duties
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Marketing
Other operating expenses
Operating profit
Non-operating items
Finance income
Finance charges
Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Profit from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit for the year

Attributable to:

Equity shareholders of the parent company – continuing operations
Equity shareholders of the parent company – discontinued operations
Non-controlling interests – continuing operations

Weighted average number of shares

Shares in issue excluding own shares
Dilutive potential ordinary shares

Basic earnings per share

Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

Diluted earnings per share
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Year ended 
30 June 2019
£ million

Year ended 
30 June 2018
£ million

Year ended 
30 June 2017
£ million

Notes

2
3
2
3

3
3

4
5
5
6

7

8

19,294
(6,427)
12,867
(4,866)
8,001
(2,042)
(1,917)
4,042
144
442
(705)
312
4,235
(898)
3,337
–
3,337

3,160
–
177
3,337

million

2,418
10
2,428

pence

130.7
–
130.7

130.1
–
130.1

18,432
(6,269)
12,163
(4,634)
7,529
(1,882)
(1,956)
3,691
–
243
(503)
309
3,740
(596)
3,144
–
3,144

3,022
–
122
3,144

million

2,484
11
2,495

pence

121.7
–
121.7

121.1
–
121.1

18,114
(6,064)
12,050
(4,680)
7,370
(1,798)
(2,013)
3,559
20
235
(564)
309
3,559
(732)
2,827
(55)
2,772

2,717
(55)
110
2,772

million

2,512
11
2,523

pence

108.2
(2.2)
106.0

107.7
(2.2)
105.5

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

113

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be recycled subsequently to the income statement
Net remeasurement of post employment plans
– group
– associates and joint ventures
– non-controlling interests
Tax on post employment plans

Items that may be recycled subsequently to the income statement
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations
– group
– associates and joint ventures
– non-controlling interests
Net investment hedges
Tax on exchange differences – group
Tax on exchange differences – non-controlling interests
Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges
– hedge of foreign currency debt of the group
– transaction exposure hedging of the group
– hedges by associates and joint ventures
– losses taken to equity – commodity price risk of the group
– recycled to income statement – hedge of foreign currency debt of the group
– recycled to income statement – transaction exposure hedging of the group
– recycled to income statement – commodity price risk of the group
Tax on effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges
Hyperinflation adjustment
Tax on hyperinflation adjustment

Other comprehensive profit/(loss), net of tax, for the year
Profit for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the parent company – continuing operations
Equity shareholders of the parent company – discontinued operations
Non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive income for the year

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Year ended 
30 June 2019
£ million

Year ended 
30 June 2018
£ million

Year ended 
30 June 2017
£ million

33
2
–
1
36

274
19
55
(93)
(19)
–

180
(86)
(6)
(9)
(82)
45
–
(11)
(22)
6
251
287
3,337
3,624

3,392
–
232
3,624

456
2
1
(91)
368

(631)
3
(72)
91
7
2

(64)
22
(15)
–
6
(7)
–
14
11
(11)
(644)
(276)
3,144
2,868

2,815
–
53
2,868

649
(8)
3
(122)
522

105
120
35
(224)
(2)
–

(8)
(26)
5
–
(42)
142
1
(3)
47
(21)
129
651
2,772
3,423

3,330
(55)
148
3,423

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
114 

Consolidated balance sheet

Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Biological assets
Investments in associates and joint ventures
Other investments
Other receivables
Other financial assets
Deferred tax assets
Post employment benefit assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Corporate tax receivable
Assets held for sale
Other financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
Current liabilities
Borrowings and bank overdrafts
Other financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Liabilities held for sale
Corporate tax payable
Provisions

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Other financial liabilities
Other payables
Provisions
Deferred tax liabilities
Post employment benefit liabilities

Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Equity attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

Notes

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

30 June 2019

30 June 2018

12,557
4,455
34
3,173
49
53
404
138
1,060

5,472
2,694
83
65
127
932

(1,959)
(333)
(4,202)
(32)
(378)
(99)

(10,596)
(124)
(222)
(317)
(2,032)
(846)

753
1,350
2,372
3,886

10
11

6
12
14
15
7
13

14
14
7
10
15
16

16
15
14
10
7
14

16
15
14
14
7
13

17

17

12,572
4,089
23
3,009
46
46
182
122
935

21,923

21,024

5,015
2,678
65
24
35
874

(1,828)
(230)
(3,950)
–
(243)
(109)

(8,074)
(212)
(209)
(288)
(1,987)
(872)

780
1,349
2,133
5,686

8,691
29,715

(6,360)

(11,642)
(18,002)
11,713

9,948
1,765
11,713

9,373
31,296

(7,003)

(14,137)
(21,140)
10,156

8,361
1,795
10,156

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

These consolidated financial statements have been approved by a duly appointed and authorised committee of the Board of Directors on 

25 July 2019, and were signed on its behalf by Ivan Menezes and Kathryn Mikells, Directors.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

115

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Other reserves

Retained earnings/(deficit)

Share 
capital  
£ million

Share 
premium 
 £ million

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£ million

Hedging 
and 
exchange 
reserve 
£ million

Own shares 
£ million

At 30 June 2016
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Employee share schemes
Share-based incentive plans
Share-based incentive plans in 

respect of associates

Tax on share-based incentive plans
Shares issued
Purchase of non-controlling 
interests by associates

Change in fair value of put option
Dividends paid
At 30 June 2017
Adoption of IFRS 15
Adoption of IFRS 9 by associate
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive (loss)/

income

Employee share schemes
Share-based incentive plans
Share-based incentive plans in 

respect of associates

Tax on share-based incentive plans
Shares issued
Purchase of non-controlling 

interest

Disposal of non-controlling 

interests

Purchase of right issue of non-

controlling interests

Change in fair value of put option
Share buyback programme
Dividends paid
At 30 June 2018
Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income
Employee share schemes
Share-based incentive plans
Share-based incentive plans in 

respect of associates

Tax on share-based incentive plans
Shares issued
Purchase of non-controlling 

interests (note 9)

Non-controlling interest in  
respect of new subsidiary

Change in fair value of put option
Share buyback programme
Dividends declared
At 30 June 2019

797
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
797
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–
(17)
–
780
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

1,347
–
–
–
–

–
–
1

–
–
–
1,348
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
1

–

–

3,146
–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
3,146
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
1,349
–

–
–
17
–
3,163
–

–
–
–

–
–
1

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–
(27)
–
753

–
–
–
–
1,350

–
–
27
–
3,190

(521 )
–
68
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
(453)
–
(3)
–

(574)
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
(1,030)
–

212
–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
(818)

Other 
retained 
earnings 
£ million

5,950
2,662
545
(23)
34

Total 
£ million

3,761
2,662
545
(10)
34

3
12
–

(5)
(12)
(1,515)
7,651
(89)
3
3,022

367
(7)
39

4
(2)
–

3
12
–

(5)
(12)
(1,515)
5,475
(89)
3
3,022

367
25
39

4
(2)
–

(72)

(72)

–

–

(5)
7
(1,507)
(1,581)
7,830
3,160

20
(49)
49

3
20
–

(5)
7
(1,507)
(1,581)
5,686
3,160

20
69
49

3
20
–

Equity 
attributable 
to parent 
company 
 £ million

Non- 
controlling 
interests 
 £ million

Total equity 
£ million

8,530
2,662
613
(10)
34

3
12
1

(5)
(12)
(1,515)
10,313
(89)
–
3,022

(207)
25
39

4
(2)
1

(72)

–

(5)
7
(1,507)
(1,581)
9,948
3,160

232
69
49

3
20
1

1,650
110
38
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
(83)
1,715
(2)
–
122

(69)
–
–

–
–
–

70

(1)

31
–
–
(101)
1,765
177

55
–
–

–
–
–

10,180
2,772
651
(10)
34

3
12
1

(5)
(12)
(1,598)
12,028
(91)
–
3,144

(276)
25
39

4
(2)
1

(2)

(1)

26
7
(1,507)
(1,682)
11,713
3,337

287
69
49

3
20
1

(694)

(694)

(694)

(90)

(784)

(2,189)
–
–
13
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
(2,176)
–
–
–

–
32
–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
(2,144)
–

–
118
–

–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
(2,026)

–
(3)
(2,801)
(1,623)
5,912

–
(3)
(2,801)
(1,623)
3,886

–
(3)
(2,801)
(1,623)
8,361

2
–
–
(114)
1,795

2
(3)
(2,801)
(1,737)
10,156

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
116 

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Year ended 30 June 2019

Year ended 30 June 2018

Year ended 30 June 2017

Notes

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the year
Discontinued operations
Taxation
Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures
Net finance charges

Non-operating items
Operating profit
Increase in inventories
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
Increase in trade and other payables and provisions
Net (increase)/decrease in working capital
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Dividends received
Post employment payments less amounts included in operating profit
Other items

Cash generated from operations
Interest received
Interest paid
Taxation paid

Net cash inflow from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Disposal of property, plant and equipment and computer software
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and computer software
Movements in loans and other investments
Sale of businesses and brands
Acquisition of businesses
Net cash outflow from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Share buyback programme
Proceeds from issue of share capital
Net sale/(purchase) of own shares for share schemes
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Purchase of shares of non-controlling interests
Rights issue proceeds from non-controlling interests
Proceeds from bonds
Repayment of bonds
Net movements in other borrowings
Equity dividends paid
Net cash outflow from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in net cash and cash equivalents
Exchange differences
Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

Net cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash and cash equivalents
Bank overdrafts

9
9

17

9

16
16

17

16

16
16

3,337
–
898
(312)
263

(144)

(434)
11
201

374
168
(121)
64

216
(468)
(805)

32
(671)
(1)
426
(56)

(2,775)
1
50
(112)
(784)
–
2,766
(1,168)
721
(1,623)

3,144
–
596
(309)
260

–

2,772
55
732
(309)
329

(20)

4,042

3,691

3,559

(222)

485
4,305

(1,057)
3,248

(159)

554
4,086

(1,002)
3,084

(271)
(202)
314

493
159
(108)
10

167
(418)
(751)

40
(584)
(17)
4
(594)

151

467
4,177

(1,045)
3,132

(159)
89
221

361
223
(111)
(6)

180
(493)
(732)

46
(518)
3
(52)
(31)

(270)

(1,151)

(552)

(1,507)
1
8
(80)
–
26
2,612
(1,571)
(26)
(1,581)

–
1
(41)
(83)
–
–
–
(1,234)
414
(1,515)

(2,924)
54
(26)
693
721

932
(211)
721

(2,118)
(185)
(39)
917
693

874
(181)
693

(2,458)
122
(14)
809
917

1,191
(274)
917

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

117

Accounting information and policies

Introduction

This section describes the basis of preparation of the consolidated financial statements and 
the group’s accounting policies that are applicable to the financial statements as a whole. 
Accounting policies, critical accounting estimates and judgements that are specific to a note are 
included in the note to which they relate. This section also explains new accounting standards, 
amendments and interpretations, that the group has adopted in the current financial year or 
will adopt in subsequent years.

1. Accounting information and policies
(a) Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance 
with the Companies Act 2006 and International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS) and related interpretations as adopted for use in the 
European Union (EU) and as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB). IFRS as adopted by the EU differs in certain 
respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB. The differences have no 
impact on the group’s consolidated financial statements for the years 
presented. The consolidated financial statements are prepared on 
a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, unless 
stated otherwise in the relevant accounting policy.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS 

requires management to make estimates and assumptions that 
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure 
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial 
statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses 
during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

(b) Going concern 
The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going 
concern basis.

(c) Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the results of the 
company and its subsidiaries together with the group’s attributable 
share of the results of associates and joint ventures. A subsidiary is an 
entity controlled by Diageo plc. The group controls an investee when 
it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement 
with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through 
its power over the investee. Where the group has the ability to 
exercise joint control over an entity but has rights to specified assets 
and obligations for liabilities of that entity, the entity is included on 
the basis of the group’s rights over those assets and liabilities.

(d) Foreign currencies
Items included in the financial statements of the group’s subsidiaries, 
associates and joint ventures are measured using the currency of 
the primary economic environment in which each entity operates 
(its functional currency). The consolidated financial statements 
are presented in sterling, which is the functional currency of the 
parent company.

The income statements and cash flows of non-sterling entities 
are translated into sterling at weighted average rates of exchange, 
other than substantial transactions that are translated at the rate 
on the date of the transaction. Exchange differences arising on the 
retranslation to closing rates are taken to the exchange reserve.
Assets and liabilities are translated at closing rates. Exchange 
differences arising on the retranslation at closing rates of the opening 

balance sheets of overseas entities are taken to the exchange reserve, 
as are exchange differences arising on foreign currency borrowings 
and financial instruments designated as net investment hedges, to 
the extent that they are effective. Tax charges and credits arising on 
such items are also taken to the exchange reserve. Gains and losses 
accumulated in the exchange reserve are recycled to the income 
statement when the foreign operation is sold. Other exchange 
differences are taken to the income statement. Transactions in 
foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of 
the transaction. 

The principal foreign exchange rates used in the translation 
of financial statements for the three years ended 30 June 2019, 
expressed in US dollars and euros per £1, were as follows:

US dollar
Income statement and cash flows(i)
Assets and liabilities(ii)
Euro
Income statement and cash flows(i)
Assets and liabilities(ii)

(i)  Weighted average rates
(ii)  Year end rates 

2019

2018

2017

1.29
1.27

1.13
1.12

1.35
1.32

1.13
1.13

1.27
1.30

1.16
1.14

The group uses foreign exchange hedges to mitigate the effect of 
exchange rate movements. For further information see note 15.

(e) Critical accounting estimates and judgements 
Details of critical estimates and judgements which the directors 
consider could have a material impact upon the financial statements 
are set out in the related notes as follows:

•  Exceptional items – management judgement whether 

exceptional or not – page 123

•  Taxation – management judgement of whether a provision is 

required and management estimate of amount of corporate tax 
payable or receivable, the recoverability of deferred tax assets and 
expectation on manner of recovery of deferred taxes – page 126

•  Brands, goodwill and other intangibles – management 

judgement of the assets to be recognised and synergies resulting 
from an acquisition. Management judgement and estimate 
are required in determining future cash flows and appropriate 
applicable assumptions to support the intangible asset 
value – page 132

•  Post employment benefits – management judgement 

in determining  whether a surplus can be recovered and 
management estimate in determining the assumptions in 
calculating the liabilities of the funds – page 136

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
118 

•  Contingent liabilities and legal proceedings – management 
judgement in assessing the likelihood of whether a liability 
will arise and an estimate to quantify the possible range of any 
settlement – page 153

Venezuela is a hyper-inflationary economy where the government 
maintains a regime of strict currency controls with multiple foreign 
currency rate systems. Access to US dollars on these exchange systems 
is very limited. The foreign currency denominated transactions and 
balances of the group’s Venezuelan operations are translated into 
the local functional currency (Venezuelan bolivar) at the rate they 
are expected to be settled, applying the most appropriate official 
exchange rate (DICOM). For consolidation purposes, the group 
converts its Venezuelan operations using management’s estimate 
of the exchange rate considering forecast inflation and the most 
appropriate official exchange rate. The exchange rate used to translate 
the results of the group’s the Venezuelan operations was VES/£ 403,700 
for the year ended 30 June 2019 (2018 – VEF/£ 3,858,826 – VES/£ 38.59).
The following table presents the contribution of the group’s 
Venezuelan operations to the consolidated income statement, cash 
flow statement and net assets for the year ended 30 June 2019 and 
30 June 2018 and with the amounts that would have resulted if the 
official DICOM exchange rate had been applied:

Year ended 30 June 2019
At DICOM
 exchange rate

Year ended 30 June 2018
At estimated
At DICOM
 exchange rate
 exchange rate
8,553 VES/£ 3,858,826 VEF/£ 151,800 VEF/£
£ million

£ million

£ million

At estimated
 exchange rate
403,700 VES/£
£ million

Net sales
Operating profit
Other finance 
income – 
hyperinflation 
adjustment
Net cash inflow 

from operating 
activities

Net assets

–
–

10

–
56

3
2

455

5
2,643

1
–

18

1
69

27
16

458

12
1,744

(f) New accounting standards and interpretations
The following amendments to the accounting standards, issued by 
the IASB which have been endorsed by the EU, have been adopted 
by the group from 1 July 2018 with no impact on the group’s 
consolidated results, financial position or disclosures:

•  Amendments to IAS 40 – Transfers of Investment Property

•  Amendments to IFRS 2 – Classification and Measurement of 

Share-based payment transactions

•  Amendments to IFRS 4 – Applying IFRS 9 with IFRS 4 

Insurance contracts

•  Improvements to IFRS 1 – First-time Adoption of International 

Financial Reporting Standards: Deletion of short-term exemptions 
for first-time adopters

•  Improvements to IAS 28 – Investments in Associates and Joint 

Ventures: Measuring investees at fair value through profit or loss: 
an investment-by-investment choice or a consistent policy choice

•  IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

IFRS 15 – Revenue from contracts with customers. The group adopted 
IFRS 15 from 1 July 2017 by applying the modified retrospective 
transition method, recognising the cumulative effect of initially 
applying IFRS 15 as an adjustment to the balance of retained earnings 
as at 1 July 2017. IFRS 15, which requires revenue to be recognised 
when the control of goods or services is transferred to the customer, 
replaced IAS 11, IAS 18 and related interpretations which were based 

on the concept of the transfer of risks and rewards. The income 
statement for the year ended 30 June 2017 was not restated. The 
principal change that resulted from the adoption of IFRS 15 was in 
respect of the accounting for variable consideration receivable where 
the criteria applied for deducting future promotional payments from 
the initial revenue recognition was more stringent than under the 
former accounting policy. 

The following standard issued by the IASB and endorsed by the EU, 
has not yet been adopted by the group:

IFRS 16 – Leases (effective in the year ending 30 June 2020) sets out 
the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and 
disclosure of leases for both the lessee and the lessor. It eliminates 
the classification of leases as either operating leases or finance 
leases currently required under IAS 17 and introduces a single lessee 
accounting model where the lessee is required to recognise assets 
and liabilities for all leases. All leases will be recognised on the 
balance sheet as right of use assets and depreciated on a straight- 
line basis. The liability, recognised as part of net borrowings, will be 
measured at a discounted value and any interest will be charged 
to finance charges in the income statement. Therefore, the charge 
to the income statement for the operating lease payment will be 
replaced with depreciation on the right of use asset and the interest 
charge inherent in the lease.

The group will implement IFRS 16 from 1 July 2019 by applying 
the modified retrospective method, meaning that the figures for the 
year ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018 in the financial statements 
for the year ending 30 June 2020 will not be restated to reflect the 
impact of IFRS 16. The operating leases which will be recorded on 
the balance sheet following implementation of IFRS 16 are principally 
in respect of warehouses, office buildings, plant and machinery, 
cars and distribution vehicles. The group has decided to reduce the 
complexity of implementation to take advantage of a number of 
practical expedients on transition on 1 July 2019 namely:
(i)   to measure the right of use asset at the same value as the 

lease liability 

(ii)   to apply the short-term and low value exemptions
(iii)  to account for, wherever possible, services provided associated 

with a lease as an income statement item and only capitalise in the 
right of use asset the lease costs that are in respect of the asset. 

The group has designed a new lease accounting process and has 
implemented a new lease accounting software solution to run 
the IFRS 16 lease calculations and provide monthly IFRS 16 lease 
accounting journals. Based on the information currently available, the 
group estimates that under IFRS 16, as at 1 July 2019 it will recognise 
additional lease liabilities of approximately £0.3 billion and right of 
use assets of a similar amount. IFRS 16 will have no impact on the 
group’s net cash flows but the lease capital repayment outflows 
will be disclosed as financing cash outflow, instead of operating 
cash outflow. There will be an immaterial benefit to operating profit 
and an immaterial increase in finance charges. Profit before tax and 
earnings per share will not be significantly impacted.

The following standard, issued by the IASB has not been endorsed by 
the EU and has not been adopted by the group:

IFRS 17 – Insurance contracts (effective in the year ending 
30 June 2022) is ultimately intended to replace IFRS 4.

Based on a preliminary assessment the group believes that 
the adoption of IFRS 17 will not have a significant impact on its 
consolidated results or financial position.

There are a number of other amendments and clarifications to 
IFRS, effective in future years, which are not expected to significantly 
impact the group’s consolidated results or financial position.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

119

Results for the year

Introduction

This section explains the results and performance of the group for the three years ended 
30 June 2019. Disclosures are provided for segmental information, operating costs, exceptional 
items, finance income and charges, the group’s share of results of associates and joint ventures, 
taxation and discontinued operations. For associates, joint ventures and taxation, balance sheet 
disclosures are also provided in this section.

2. Segmental information

Accounting policies
Sales comprise revenue from contracts with customers from 
the sale of goods, royalties and rents receivable. Revenue from 
the sale of goods includes excise and other duties which the 
group pays as principal but excludes duties and taxes collected 
on behalf of third parties, such as value added tax. Sales are 
recognised as or when performance obligations are satisfied 
by transferring control of a good or service to the customer. 
Generally the transfer of control of goods occurs at the time of 
despatch but in some countries and for some customers may 
be on delivery. The group includes in sales the net consideration 
to which it expects to be entitled. Sales are recognised to the 
extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal will not 
occur. Therefore, sales are stated net of expected price discounts, 
allowances for customer loyalty and certain promotional activities 
and similar items. Generally, payment of the transaction price is 
due within credit terms that are consistent with industry practices, 
with no element of financing. 

Net sales are sales less excise duties. Diageo incurs excise 
duties throughout the world. In the majority of countries excise 
duties are effectively a production tax which becomes payable 
when the product is removed from bonded premises and is not 
directly related to the value of sales. It is generally not included 
as a separate item on external invoices; increases in excise duty 
are not always passed on to the customer and where a customer 
fails to pay for product received the group cannot reclaim the 
excise duty. The group therefore recognises excise duty, unless it 
regards itself as an agent of the regulatory authorities, as a cost 
to the group.

Advertising costs, point of sale materials and sponsorship 
payments are charged to marketing in operating profit when the 
company has a right of access to the goods or services acquired.

Diageo is an international manufacturer and distributor of premium 
drinks. Diageo also owns a number of investments in associates and 
joint ventures as set out in note 6.

The segmental information presented is consistent with 

management reporting provided to the Executive Committee (the 
chief operating decision maker).

The Executive Committee considers the business principally from 
a geographical perspective based on the location of third party sales 
and the business analysis is presented by geographical segment. 

In addition to these geographical selling segments, a further 
segment reviewed by the Executive Committee is the International 
Supply Centre (ISC), which manufactures products for other group 
companies and includes the production sites in the United Kingdom, 
Ireland, Italy, Guatemala and Mexico.

Continuing operations also include the Corporate function. 

Corporate revenues and costs are in respect of central costs, 
including finance, marketing, corporate relations, human resources 
and legal, as well as certain information systems, facilities and 
employee costs that are not allocable to the geographical segments 
or to the ISC. They also include rents receivable and payable in 
respect of properties not used by the group in the manufacture, sale 
or distribution of premium drinks.

Diageo uses shared services operations to deliver transaction 
processing activities for markets and operational entities. These 
centres are located in Hungary, Kenya, Colombia, the Philippines and 
India. The captive business service centre in Budapest also performs 
certain central finance activities, including elements of financial 
planning and reporting and treasury. The costs of shared service 
operations are recharged to the regions. 

The segmental information for net sales and operating profit 
before exceptional items is reported at budgeted exchange rates 
in line with management reporting. For management reporting 
purposes the group measures the current year at, and restates 
the prior year net sales and operating profit to, the current year’s 
budgeted exchange rates. These exchange rates are set prior to 
the financial year as part of the financial planning process and 
provide a consistent exchange rate to measure the performance 
of the business throughout the year. The adjustments required to 
retranslate the segmental information to actual exchange rates 
and to reconcile it to the group’s reported results are shown in the 
following tables. The comparative segmental information, prior to 
retranslation, has not been restated at the current year’s budgeted 
exchange rates but is presented at the budgeted rates for the 
respective years.

In addition, for management reporting purposes Diageo presents 
separately the results of acquisitions and disposals completed in the 
current and prior year from the results of the geographical segments. 
The impact of acquisitions and disposals on net sales and operating 
profit is disclosed under the appropriate geographical segments in 
the following tables at budgeted exchange rates.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
120 

(a) Segmental information for the consolidated income statement – continuing operations 

2019

Sales
Net sales
At budgeted exchange rates(i)
Acquisitions and disposals
ISC allocation
Retranslation to actual exchange rates
Net sales
Operating profit/(loss)
At budgeted exchange rates(i)
Acquisitions and disposals
ISC allocation
Retranslation to actual exchange rates
Operating profit/(loss) before 

exceptional items

Exceptional items
Operating profit/(loss)
Non-operating items
Net finance charges
Share of after tax results of associates and 

joint ventures
– Moët Hennessy
– Other
Profit before taxation

2018

Sales
Net sales
At budgeted exchange rates(i)
Acquisitions and disposals
ISC allocation
Retranslation to actual exchange rates
Net sales
Operating profit/(loss)
At budgeted exchange rates(i)
Acquisitions and disposals
ISC allocation
Retranslation to actual exchange rates
Operating profit/(loss) before 

exceptional items

Exceptional items
Operating profit/(loss)
Non-operating items
Net finance charges
Share of after tax results of associates 

 and joint ventures

– Moët Hennessy
– Other
Profit before taxation

North 
America
£ million

Europe 
and  
Turkey
£ million

Africa
£ million

Latin 
America 
and 
Caribbean
£ million

Asia 
Pacific
£ million

ISC
£ million

Eliminate 
inter-  
segment  
sales
£ million

Total 
operating  
segments
£ million

Corporate 
and other
£ million

Total
£ million

5,074

5,132

2,235

1,444

5,356

1,739

(1,739)

19,241

53

19,294

4,034
88
11
327
4,460

1,755
29
13
151

1,948
–
1,948

2,951
1
63
(76)
2,939

972
(1)
72
(29)

1,014
(18)
996

1,529
1
5
62
1,597

257
–
6
12

275
–
275

1,095
1
15
19
1,130

312
–
32
21

365
–
365

2,656
1
11
20
2,688

671
–
16
16

703
(35)
668

1,843
–
(105)
1
1,739

139
–
(139)
–

–
–
–

(1,738)
–
–
(1)
(1,739)

12,370
92
–
352
12,814

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

4,106
28
–
171

4,305
(53)
4,252

54
–
–
(1)
53

(186)
–
–
(3)

(189)
(21)
(210)

North 
America
£ million

Europe 
and  
Turkey
£ million

Africa
£ million

Latin 
America 
and 
Caribbean
£ million

Asia 
Pacific
£ million

ISC
£ million

Eliminate 
inter-  
segment  
sales
£ million

Total 
operating  
segments
£ million

Corporate 
and other
£ million

4,671

5,232

2,083

1,352

5,042

1,457

(1,457)

18,380

4,138
50
11
(83)
4,116

1,925
4
14
(61)

1,882
–
1,882

2,821
–
53
58
2,932

941
–
67
20

1,028
–
1,028

1,467
–
4
20
1,491

180
–
5
6

191
(128)
63

1,064
–
11
(6)
1,069

298
–
14
(4)

308
–
308

2,555
–
8
(60)
2,503

588
–
12
(32)

568
–
568

1,512
–
(87)
32
1,457

112
–
(112)
–

–
–
–

(1,425)
–
–
(32)
(1,457)

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

12,132
50
–
(71)
12,111

4,044
4
–
(71)

3,977
(128)
3,849

52

48
–
–
4
52

(160)
–
–
2

(158)
–
(158)

12,424
92
–
351
12,867

3,920
28
–
168

4,116
(74)
4,042
144
(263)

310
2
4,235

Total
£ million

18,432

12,180
50
–
(67)
12,163

3,884
4
–
(69)

3,819
(128)
3,691
–
(260)

305
4
3,740

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Results for the year 

121

2017

Sales
Net sales
At budgeted exchange rates(i)
Acquisitions and disposals
ISC allocation
Retranslation to actual 
 exchange rates

Net sales
Operating profit/(loss)
At budgeted exchange rates(i)
Acquisitions and disposals
ISC allocation
Retranslation to actual exchange rates
Operating profit/(loss) before 

exceptional items

Exceptional items
Operating profit/(loss)
Non-operating items
Net finance charges
Share of after tax results of associates 

 and joint ventures

– Moët Hennessy
– Other
Profit before taxation

North 
America
£ million

Europe 
and  
Turkey
£ million

Africa
£ million

Latin 
America 
and 
Caribbean
£ million

Asia 
Pacific
£ million

ISC
£ million

Eliminate 
inter-  
segment  
sales
£ million

Total 
operating  
segments
£ million

Corporate 
and other
£ million

4,725

4,985

2,132

1,303

4,923

1,390

(1,390)

18,068

3,523
–
11

627
4,161

1,648
–
14
237

1,899
–
1,899

2,474
2
60

288
2,824

741
–
72
123

936
(33)
903

1,240
15
4

297
1,556

159
(8)
5
62

218
–
218

873
7
11

153
1,044

195
–
13
42

250
–
250

1,977
41
8

393
2,419

375
–
12
100

487
(9 )
478

1,418
–
(94)

66
1,390

116
–
(116)
–

–
–
–

(1,324)
–
–

(66)
(1,390)

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

10,181
65
–

1,758
12,004

3,234
(8 )
–
564

3,790
(42 )
3,748

46

39
–
–

7
46

(169 )
(1 )
–
(19 )

(189 )
–
(189 )

Total
£ million

18,114

10,220
65
–

1,765
12,050

3,065
(9)
–
545

3,601
(42)
3,559
20
(329)

302
7
3,559

(i)  These items represent the IFRS 8 performance measures for the geographical and ISC segments. 

(1)  The net sales figures for ISC reported to the Executive Committee primarily comprise inter-segment sales and these are eliminated in a separate column in the above segmental analysis. Apart from sales by 

the ISC segment to the other operating segments, inter-segmental sales are not material. 

(2)  The group’s net finance charges are managed centrally and are not attributable to individual operating segments. 
(3)  Approximately 40% of annual net sales occur in the last four months of each calendar year. 

(b) Other segmental information

2019

Capital expenditure
Depreciation and intangible asset amortisation
2018
Capital expenditure
Depreciation and intangible asset amortisation
Exceptional accelerated depreciation and impairment
Exceptional impairment of intangible assets
2017
Capital expenditure
Depreciation and intangible asset amortisation

 North 
America  
£ million

Europe
and 
Turkey
£ million

Africa 
£ million

Latin 
America  
and  
Caribbean  
£ million

Asia 
Pacific  
£ million

ISC 
£ million

Corporate 
and other  
£ million

Total 
£ million

150
(51)

132
(44)
–
–

112
(41)

32
(18)

22
(20)
–
–

27
(21)

160
(81)

163
(77)
(35)
(90)

126
(77)

48
(13)

44
(7)
–
–

34
(7)

40
(42)

44
(42)
–
–

48
(42)

197
(110)

131
(110)
–
–

125
(107)

44
(59)

48
(68)
–
–

46
(66)

671
(374)

584
(368)
(35)
(90)

518
(361)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS122 

(c) Category and geographical analysis

Category analysis

Geographic analysis

Spirits 
£ million

Beer 
£ million

Wine 
£ million

Ready to 
drink  
£ million

Other 
£ million

Total 
£ million

Great 
Britain  
£ million

United 
States  
£ million

Nether- 
lands  
£ million

India 
£ million

Rest of 
World  
£ million

Total 
£ million

15,283

2,758

–

–

14,605

2,647

–

–

14,241

2,635

–

–

78

–

81

–

81

–

945

–

854

–

854

–

230

19,294

–

–

1,706

1,637

4,724

4,662

70

2,525

3,236

3,829

9,558

19,294

7,668

20,321

245

18,432

–

–

303

18,114

–

–

1,630

1,717

1,558

1,678

4,310

4,221

4,366

4,012

63

2,367

62

2,392

3,086

3,688

3,070

4,009

9,343

7,792

18,432

19,785

9,058

7,410

18,114

19,501

2019

Sales(i)

Non-current assets(ii), (iii)

2018

Sales(i)

Non-current assets(ii), (iii)

2017

Sales(i)

Non-current assets(ii), (iii)

(i)  The geographical analysis of sales is based on the location of third party customers. 
(ii)  The geographical analysis of non-current assets is based on the geographical location of the assets and comprises intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, biological assets, investments in 

associates and joint ventures, other investments and non-current other receivables. 

(iii) The management information provided to the chief operating decision maker does not include an analysis of assets and liabilities by category and therefore is not disclosed. 

3. Operating costs

Excise duties
Cost of sales
Marketing
Other operating expenses

Comprising:
Excise duties – Great Britain
– United States
– India
– Other
Increase in inventories
Raw materials and consumables
Marketing
Other external charges
Staff costs
Depreciation, amortisation and 

impairment

Gains on disposal of properties
Net foreign exchange (gains)/losses
Other operating income

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

6,427
4,866
2,042
1,917
15,252

898
587
2,202
2,740
(446)
3,007
2,042
2,285
1,580

374
(5)
(7)
(5)
15,252

6,269
4,634
1,882
1,956
14,741

853
548
2,094
2,774
(296)
3,052
1,882
1,849
1,509

493
(9)
6
(14)
14,741

6,064
4,680
1,798
2,013
14,555

774
558
2,073
2,659
(146)
2,813
1,798
2,124
1,583

361
(7)
(16)
(19)
14,555

(a) Other external charges 
Other external charges include operating lease rentals for plant and 
equipment of £19 million (2018 – £21 million; 2017 – £20 million), 
other operating lease rentals (mainly properties) of £101 million 
(2018 – £87 million; 2017 – £96 million), research and development 
expenditure in respect of new drinks products and package design 
in the year leading up to product launch of £35 million (2018 – 
£36 million; 2017 – £33 million) and maintenance and repairs of 
£103 million (2018 – £117 million; 2017 – £100 million). 

(b) Auditor fees 
Other external charges include the fees of the principal auditor of 
the group, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and its affiliates (PwC) are 
analysed below. 

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

Audit of these financial statements
Audit of financial statements of 

subsidiaries

Audit related assurance services(i)
Total audit fees (Audit fees)
Other services relevant to taxation  

(Tax fees)

Other assurance services  
(Audit related fees)(ii)
All other non-audit fees  

(All other fees)

3.8

3.4
1.6
8.8

–

0.7

0.2
9.7

3.3

3.3
1.6
8.2

0.1

0.6

1.0
9.9

3.1

3.4
1.6
8.1

0.3

0.5

0.9
9.8

(i)  Audit related assurance services are principally in respect of reporting under section 404 of the 

US Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the review of the interim financial information. 

(ii)  Other assurance services comprise the aggregate fees for assurance and related services that 

are in respect of the performance of the audit or review of the financial statements and are not 
reported under ‘total audit fees’. 

(1)  Disclosure requirements for auditor fees in the United States are different from those required in 
the United Kingdom. The terminology by category required in the United States is disclosed in 
brackets in the above table. All figures are the same for the disclosures in the United Kingdom 
and the United States apart from £0.4 million (2018 – £0.4 million; 2017 – £0.3 million) of the cost in 
respect of the review of the interim financial information which would be included in audit related 
fees in the United States rather than audit fees. 

Audit services provided by firms other than PwC for the year ended 
30 June 2019 were £0.1 million (2018 – £0.1 million; 2017 – £0.5 million). 
PwC fees for audit services in respect of employee pension plans 
were £0.3 million for the year ended 30 June 2019 (2018 – £0.3 million; 
2017 – £0.3 million).

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Results for the year 

123

(c) Staff costs and average number of employees 

4. Exceptional items

Accounting policies
Operating items
Exceptional operating items are those that are considered to 
be material and/or unusual or non-recurring in nature and are 
part of the operating activities of the group such as impairment 
of intangible assets and fixed assets, indirect tax settlements, 
property disposals and changes in post employment plans. 

Non-operating items
Gains and losses on the sale of businesses, brands or distribution 
rights, step up gains and losses that arise when an investment 
becomes an associate or an associate becomes a subsidiary and 
other material, unusual non recurring items, that are not in respect 
of the production, marketing and distribution of premium drinks, 
are disclosed as non-operating exceptional items below operating 
profit in the consolidated income statement.

Taxation items 
Exceptional current and deferred tax items comprising material 
unusual non recurring items that impact taxation, such as direct 
tax provisions and settlements in respect of prior years and the 
remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities following tax 
rate changes.

Critical accounting judgements 
Exceptional items are those that in management’s judgement 
need to be disclosed by virtue of their size and/or nature. Such 
items are included within the income statement caption to 
which they relate, and are separately disclosed in the notes to the 
consolidated financial statements.

It is believed that separate disclosure of exceptional items and 
the classification between operating and non-operating further 
helps investors to understand the performance of the group.

Aggregate remuneration
Wages and salaries
Share-based incentive plans
Employer’s social security
Employer’s pension
– defined benefit plans
– defined contribution plans
Other post employment plans

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

1,344
50
96

61
19
10
1,580

1,272
40
95

73
18
11
1,509

1,330
34
93

95
17
14
1,583

The average number of employees on a full time equivalent basis 
(excluding employees of associates and joint ventures) was as follows: 

North America
Europe and Turkey
Africa
Latin America and Caribbean(i)
Asia Pacific
ISC(i)
Corporate and other

2019

2,410
3,609
4,338
1,610
7,038
4,919
4,496
28,420

2018

2,406
3,747
4,625
2,536
8,008
4,227
4,368
29,917

2017

2,251
4,074
4,898
2,573
8,690
4,244
3,703
30,433

(i)   The increase in the ISC in the year ended 30 June 2019 is primarily due to the transfer of supply 

employees in Mexico to ISC. Comparative figures have not been restated. 

At 30 June 2019 the group had, on a full time equivalent basis, 28,150 
(2018 – 29,362; 2017 – 30,051) employees. The average number of 
employees of the group, including part time employees, for the year 
was 29,402 (2018 – 30,761; 2017 – 31,472). 

(d) Exceptional operating items 
Included in other operating costs are the following 
exceptional charges: 

Staff costs

–  Guaranteed minimum pension 

equalisation charge

Other external charges
Decrease in inventories
Depreciation, amortisation 

and impairment
–  Brand, goodwill and tangible 

asset impairment

Total exceptional operating costs 

(note 4)

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

21
53
–

–

74

–
–
3

125

128

–
42
–

–

42

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS124 

Items included in operating profit

Indirect tax in Korea (a)
Guaranteed minimum pension 

equalisation (b)

French tax audit penalty (note 7 (b) (i))
Brand, goodwill, tangible and other 

assets impairment (c)

Competition authority investigation in 

Turkey (d)

Customer claim in India (e)
Disengagement agreements relating to 

United Spirits Limited (f)

Non-operating items
Sale of businesses and brands
Portfolio of 19 brands (g)
USL wine business (h)
Wines in the United States  

and Percy Fox (i)

United National Breweries (j)

French tax audit interest (note 7 (b) (i))

Exceptional items before taxation
Items included in taxation (note 7 (b))

Exceptional items in continuing 

operations

Discontinued operations net of 

taxation (note 8)
Total exceptional items
Attributable to:
  Equity shareholders of the 

parent company

  Non-controlling interests
Total exceptional items

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

(35)

(21)

(18)

–

–
–

–
(74)

155
(2)

–
(9)

144

(9)

61
(39)

22

–
22

(4)
26
22

–

–

–

(128)

–
–

–
(128)

–
–

–
–

–

–

(128)
203

75

–
75

75
–
75

–

–

–

–

(33)
(32)

23
(42)

–
–

20
–

20

–

(22)
4

(18)

(55)
(73)

(64)
(9)
(73)

(a) Following recent assessments of competitors’ indirect tax 
in respect of certain channel accounts and a recent regulatory 
change in Korea, Diageo has made a provision, in the year ended 
30 June 2019, of £35 million in respect of prior years.

(b) On 26 October 2018, the High Court of Justice of England 
and Wales issued a judgment in a claim between Lloyds Banking 
Group Pension Trustees Limited (the claimant) and Lloyds Bank 
plc (defendant) that UK pension schemes should equalise pension 
benefits for men and women for the calculation of their guaranteed 
minimum pension liability. The judgment concluded that the 
claimant has a duty to amend their pension schemes to equalise 
benefits and provided comments on the method to be adopted 
to equalise the benefits. This court ruling impacts the majority of 
companies with a UK defined benefit pension plan that was in 
existence prior to 1997. For the Diageo Pension Scheme (DPS) an 
estimate was made of the impact of equalisation which increased 
the liabilities of the DPS by £21 million with a corresponding charge 
to exceptional operating items. Additional work will be carried out to 
finalise the charge in the year ending 30 June 2020.

(c) In the year ended 30 June 2018, an impairment charge of 
£128 million in respect of the Meta brand, Ethiopian tangible fixed 
assets, associated spare parts reported in inventory and goodwill 
allocated to the Africa Regional Markets cash-generating unit has 
been recognised in other operating exceptional expenses. 

(d) In the year ended 30 June 2017, TRY 150 million (£33 million) 
was charged to exceptional items in respect of the Turkish 
Competition Authority investigation into certain of Mey İçki’s 
trading practices in Turkey.

(e) During the year ended 30 June 2017 United Spirits Limited 
received a claim, followed by a debit note, from a customer in India 
in respect of differential pricing charged over a number of years in 
respect of products sold to that customer primarily for the period 
prior to the acquisition of United Spirits Limited by Diageo. The group 
made a provision of INR 2,678 million (£32 million) in exceptional 
items against the current receivable from the customer.

(f) In the year ended 30 June 2017 a provision of $29 million 
(£23 million) was credited to exceptional items in respect of a prior 
year agreement with Dr Vijay Mallya.

(g) Diageo completed the sale of a portfolio of 19 brands to Sazerac 
on 20 December 2018 for an aggregate consideration of $550 million 
(£435 million) resulting in a profit before taxation of $198 million 
(£155 million). See note 9(b) for further information including the list 
of brands disposed of.

(h) The disposal of the Indian wine business resulted in a loss 
of £2 million.

(i) In the year ended 30 June 2017 adjustments were finalised in 
respect of the sale of the group’s wine interests in the United States 
and its UK Percy Fox businesses which was completed in the year 
ended 30 June 2016 resulting in a net £20 million exceptional gain.

(j) The disposal of United National Breweries (UNB), Diageo’s wholly 
owned sorghum business in South Africa, was agreed in December 
2018 and is subject to regulatory approvals. The prospective sale 
has resulted in an exceptional loss of approximately ZAR 156 million 
(£9 million).

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Results for the year 

125

5. Finance income and charges

6. Investments in associates and joint ventures

Accounting policies
Net interest includes interest income and charges in respect of 
financial instruments and the results of hedging transactions used 
to manage interest rate risk. 

Finance charges directly attributable to the acquisition, 
construction or production of a qualifying asset, being an asset 
that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready 
for its intended use or sale, are added to the cost of that asset. 
Borrowing costs which are not capitalised are recognised in the 
income statement based on the effective interest method. All 
other finance charges are recognised primarily in the income 
statement in the year in which they are incurred. 

Net other finance charges include items in respect of post 
employment plans, the discount unwind of long-term obligations 
and hyperinflation charges. The results of operations in 
hyperinflationary economies are adjusted to reflect the changes 
in the purchasing power of the local currency of the entity before 
being translated to sterling.

The impact of derivatives, excluding cash flow hedges that are 
in respect of commodity risk management or those that are used 
to hedge the currency risk of highly probable future currency cash 
flows, is included in interest income or interest charge.

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

Interest income

Fair value gain on financial instruments
Total interest income(i)
Interest charge on bank loans and 

overdrafts

Interest charge on finance leases

Interest charge on all other borrowings

Fair value loss on financial instruments
Total interest charges(i)
Net interest charges
Net finance income in respect of 

post employment plans in surplus 
(note 13)

Hyperinflation adjustment in respect 

of Venezuela (note 1)

Interest income in respect of direct and 

indirect tax

Total other finance income
Net finance charge in respect of 

post employment plans in deficit 
(note 13)

Unwinding of discounts
Interest charge in respect of direct and 

indirect tax

Change in financial liability (Level 3)
Other finance charges (exceptional)(ii)
Other finance charges

Total other finance charges

Net other finance charges

232

155

387

(47)

(7)

(424)

(157)
(635)

(248)

29

10

16

55

(22)

(17)

(11)

(8)
(9)

(3)

(70)

(15)

155

61

216

(53)

(9)

(333)

(62)
(457)

(241)

9

18

–

27

(20)

(14)

(10)

–
–

(2)

(46)

(19)

148

76

224

(72)

(11)

(368)

(67)
(518)

(294)

2

9

–

11

(27)

(8)

–

(8)
–

(3)

(46)

(35)

Accounting policies
An associate is an undertaking in which the group has a long-
term equity interest and over which it has the power to exercise 
significant influence. A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby 
the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights 
to the net assets of the arrangement. The group’s interest in the net 
assets of associates and joint ventures is reported in investments in 
the consolidated balance sheet and its interest in their results (net 
of tax) is included in the consolidated income statement below 
the group’s operating profit. Associates and joint ventures are 
initially recorded at cost including transaction costs. Investments 
in associates and joint ventures are reviewed for impairment 
whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying 
amount may not be recoverable. The impairment review compares 
the net carrying value with the recoverable amount, where the 
recoverable amount is the higher of the value in use calculated as 
the present value of the group’s share of the associate’s future cash 
flows and its fair value less costs to sell.

Diageo’s principal associate is Moët Hennessy, SAS (Moët Hennessy) 
of which Diageo owns 34%. Moët Hennessy is the spirits and wine 
subsidiary of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SA (LVMH). LVMH 
is based in France and is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange. Moët 
Hennessy is also based in France and is a producer and exporter of 
champagne and cognac brands.

A number of joint distribution arrangements have been 

established with LVMH in Asia Pacific and France, principally covering 
distribution of Diageo’s Scotch whisky and gin premium brands and 
Moët Hennessy’s champagne and cognac premium brands. Diageo 
and LVMH have each undertaken not to engage in any champagne 
or cognac activities competing with those of Moët Hennessy. The 
arrangements also contain certain provisions for the protection of 
Diageo as a non-controlling shareholder in Moët Hennessy.

(a) An analysis of the movement in the group’s investments in 
associates and joint ventures is as follows:

Moët 
Hennessy  
£ million

Others 
£ million

Total 
£ million

Cost less provisions
At 30 June 2017
Exchange differences
Additions
Share of profit after tax
Dividends
Share of movements in other 

comprehensive income and equity

At 30 June 2018
Exchange differences
Additions
Share of profit after tax
Disposals
Dividends
Share of movements in other 

comprehensive income and equity

2,726
3
–
305
(150)

(9)
2,875
16
–
310
–
(160)

(1)

–
–
3,040

98
–
41
4
(9)

–
134
3
32
2
(3)
(8)

–

(7)
(20)
133

2,824
3
41
309
(159)

(9)
3,009
19
32
312
(3)
(168)

(1)

(7)
(20)
3,173

(i)  Other movements in the year ended 30 June 2019 comprise £20 million of advances promised 
to associates at 30 June 2018, on achieving certain performance targets which are now only 
recognised when those targets are achieved. There is a corresponding decrease of £20 million in 
other payables. 

(1)  Investment in associates balance includes loans given to and preference shares invested in 

associates of £55 million (2018 – £59 million; 2017 – £27 million).

(2)  If certain performance targets are met by associates in the Distill Ventures programmes, 

an additional £31 million (2018 – £25 million) will be invested in those associates.

(i) 

Includes £86 million interest income and £(439) million interest charge in respect of  financial assets 
and liabilities that are not measured at fair value through the income statement (2018 – £73 million 
income and £(394) million charge; 2017 – £91 million income and £(467) million charge).

(ii)  In respect of the French tax audit settlement (see note 7(b)(i)).

Step acquisitions
Other(i)
At 30 June 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS126 

(b) Income statement information for the three years ended 
30 June 2019 and balance sheet information as at 30 June 2019 and 
30 June 2018 of Moët Hennessy is as follows:

Sales
Profit for the year
Total comprehensive income

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

4,713
911
865

4,445
897
799

4,356
888
838

Moët Hennessy prepares its financial statements under IFRS as 
endorsed by the EU in euros to 31 December each year. The results 
are adjusted for alignment to Diageo accounting policies and are 
a major part of the Wines & Spirits division of LVMH. The results are 
translated at £1 = €1.13 (2018 – £1 = €1.13; 2017 – £1 = €1.16).

Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

4,413
7,564
11,977
(1,008)
(2,029)
(3,037)
8,940

4,251
7,395
11,646
(972)
(2,218)
(3,190)
8,456

(1)  Including acquisition fair value adjustments principally in respect of Moët Hennessy’s brands and 

translated at £1 = €1.12 (2018 – £1 = €1.13).

(c) Information on transactions between the group and its associates 
and joint ventures is disclosed in note 20.

(d) Investments in associates and joint ventures comprise the cost of 
shares less goodwill written off on acquisitions prior to 1 July 1998 of 
£1,249 million (2018 – £1,239 million), plus the group’s share of post 
acquisition reserves of £1,924 million (2018 – £1,770 million).

(e) The associates and joint ventures have not reported any material 
contingent liabilities in their latest financial statements.

7. Taxation

Accounting policies
Current tax is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable 
profit is different from accounting profit due to temporary 
differences between accounting and tax treatments, and due to 
items that are never taxable or tax deductible. Tax benefits are 
not recognised unless it is probable that the tax positions are 
sustainable. Once considered to be probable, tax benefits are 
reviewed each year to assess whether a provision should be taken 
against full recognition of the benefit on the basis of potential 
settlement through negotiation and/or litigation. Tax provisions 
are included in current liabilities. Penalties and interest on tax 
liabilities are included in operating profit and finance charges, 
respectively.

Full provision for deferred tax is made for temporary 

differences between the carrying value of assets and liabilities 
for financial reporting purposes and their value for tax purposes. 
The amount of deferred tax reflects the expected recoverable 
amount and is based on the expected manner of recovery or 
settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using 
the basis of taxation enacted or substantively enacted by the 
balance sheet date. Deferred tax assets are not recognised where 
it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realised in the 
future. No deferred tax liability is provided in respect of any future 
remittance of earnings of foreign subsidiaries where the group is 
able to control the remittance of earnings and it is probable that 
such earnings will not be remitted in the foreseeable future, or 
where no liability would arise on the remittance.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The group is required to estimate the corporate tax in each of 
the many jurisdictions in which it operates. Management is 
required to estimate the amount that should be recognised as 
a tax liability or tax asset in many countries which are subject 
to tax audits which by their nature are often complex and can 
take several years to resolve; current tax balances are based on 
such estimations. Tax provisions are based on management’s 
judgement and interpretation of country specific tax law and the 
likelihood of settlement. However, the actual tax liabilities could 
differ from the provision and in such event the group would be 
required to make an adjustment in a subsequent period which 
could have a material impact on the group’s profit for the year. 
The evaluation of deferred tax assets recoverability requires 
estimates to be made regarding the availability of future taxable 
income. For brands with an indefinite life, management’s intention 
is to recover the book value through a potential sale in the future, 
and therefore the deferred tax on the brand value is recognised 
using the appropriate country capital gains tax rate. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Results for the year 

127

(a) Analysis of taxation charge for the year

Current tax
Current year
Adjustments in respect of prior years

Deferred tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Changes in tax rates
Adjustments in respect of prior years

Taxation on profit from continuing operations

United Kingdom

Rest of world

Total

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

150
(3)
147

29
(2)
5
32
179

131
71
202

40
(11)
95
124
326

50
4
54

40
5
13
58
112

713
52
765

(19)
(52)
25
(46)
719

503
(2)
501

127
(360)
2
(231)
270

541
16
557

94
(14)
(17)
63
620

863
49
912

10
(54)
30
(14)
898

634
69
703

167
(371)
97
(107)
596

591
20
611

134
(9)
(4)
121
732

(b) Exceptional tax (credits)/charges 
The taxation charge includes the following exceptional items: 

French Tax audit settlement(i)
Tax rate change in the Netherlands(ii)
Sale of businesses and brands
Guaranteed minimum pension equalisation
US tax reform(iii)
UK transfer pricing settlement(iv)
UK industrial building allowance
Brand and tangible asset impairment
Customer claim in India

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

61
(51)
33
(4)
–
–
–
–
–
39

–
–
–
–
(354)
143
21
(13)
–
(203)

–
–
7
–
–
–
–
–
(11)
(4)

(i)  As disclosed in the interim announcement for the six months ended 31 December 2018, Diageo has been in discussions with the French tax authorities over the deductibility of certain interest costs, and 

assessments had been issued denying tax relief for interest costs incurred in the periods ended 30 June 2011 to 30 June 2017 with a maximum potential liability of €241 million (£213 million). In July 2019 Diageo 
reached a resolution on the treatment of interest costs for all open periods which resulted in a total exceptional charge of €100 million (£88 million), comprising a tax charge of €69 million (£61 million), penalties 
of €21 million (£18 million) and interest of €10 million (£9 million). This brings to a close all open issues with the French tax authorities for periods up to and including 30 June 2017.

(ii)  During the year ended 30 June 2019 the Dutch Senate agreed to a phased reduction in the Dutch corporate tax rate which is effective from 1 January 2020. An exceptional tax credit of £51 million principally 

arose from remeasuring the deferred tax liabilities in respect of the Ketel One vodka distribution rights from a tax rate of 25% to 20.5%. 

(iii)  The exceptional tax credit of £354 million ($478 million) resulted from applying the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), enacted on 22 Dec ember 2017, in the United States. The credit principally arose on remeasuring the 

deferred tax liabilities in respect of intangibles and other assets for the change in the US Federal tax rate from 35% to 21%, resulting in an exceptional tax credit of £363 million ($490 million), which is partially offset by 
£9 million ($12 million) exceptional tax charge in respect of repatriation of untaxed foreign earnings. In addition, there was a one-off charge of £11 million ($15 million) to other comprehensive income and equity, in 
respect of the remeasurement of the deferred tax assets on post employment liabilities and share-based incentive plans as a result of applying the provisions of the TCJA. 

(iv) During 2017 Diageo was in discussions with HMRC to seek clarity on Diageo’s transfer pricing and related issues, and in the first half of the year ending 30 June 2018 a preliminary assessment for diverted profits 

tax notice was issued. Final charging notices were issued in August 2017 and Diageo paid £107 million in respect of the two years ended 30 June 2016. Diageo agreed in June 2018 with HMRC that diverted profits 
tax does not apply and at the same time has reached resolution on the transfer pricing issues being discussed. The agreement in respect of transfer pricing covers the period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2017 and 
has resulted in an additional UK tax charge of £143 million. In the year ended 30 June 2018 an additional tax charge of £47 million was recognised in current tax which is based on the approach agreed with HMRC. 

(c) Taxation rate reconciliation and factors that may affect future tax charges

Profit from continuing operations before taxation
Notional charge at UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2018 – 19%; 2017 – 19.75%)
Elimination of notional tax on share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures
Differences in overseas tax rates
Effect of intra-group financing
Non taxable gain on disposals of businesses
Other tax rate and tax base differences
Other items not chargeable
Impairment
Non deductible losses on disposal of businesses
Other non deductible exceptional items
Other items not deductible(i)
Changes in tax rates(ii)
Fair value adjustment in respect of assets held for sale
Adjustments in respect of prior years(iii)
Taxation on profit from continuing operations

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

4,235
805
(59)
106
(34)
(3)
(132)
(54)
–
–
12
231
(54)
1
79
898

3,740
711
(58)
134
(61)
–
(109)
(79)
16
–
9
238
(371)
–
166
596

3,559
703
(60)
162
(64)
–
(100)
(78)
–
(1)
7
156
(9)
–
16
732

(i)  Other items not deductible include controlled foreign companies charge, irrecoverable withholding tax and additional state and local taxes.
(ii)  Changes in tax rates for the year ended 30 June 2019 principally arose from the tax rate change in the Netherlands. Changes in tax rates for the year ended 30 June 2018 was mainly due to the application of the TCJA.
(iii)  Adjustment in respect of prior years for the year ended 30 June 2019 includes £61 million exceptional tax charge in respect of the French tax audit settlement. The £166 million prior year adjustment for the year 

ended 30 June 2018 is principally in respect of the exceptional tax charge in respect of the UK transfer pricing agreement.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS128 

The table above reconciles the notional taxation charge calculated at the UK tax rate, to the actual total tax charge. As a group operating in 
multiple countries, the actual tax rates applicable to profits in those countries are different from the UK tax rate. The impact is shown in the 
table above as differences in overseas tax rates. The group’s worldwide business leads to the consideration of a number of important factors 
which may affect future tax charges, such as: the levels and mix of profitability in different jurisdictions, transfer pricing regulations, tax rates 
imposed and tax regime reforms, acquisitions, disposals, restructuring activities, and settlements or agreements with tax authorities.

Significant ongoing changes in the international tax environment and an increase in global tax audit activity means that tax uncertainties 
and associated risks have been gradually increasing. In the medium term, these risks could result in an increase in tax liabilities or adjustments 
to the carrying value of deferred tax assets and liabilities. See note 18 (h).

The group has a number of ongoing tax audits worldwide for which provisions are recognised based on best estimates and management’s 

judgements concerning the ultimate outcome of the audit. As at 30 June 2019 the ongoing audits that are provided for individually are not 
expected to result in a material tax liability. The current tax asset of £83 million (2018 – £65 million) and tax liability of £378 million (2018 – 
£243 million) includes £251 million (2018 – £231 million) of provisions for tax uncertainties.

(d) Deferred tax assets and liabilities
The amounts of deferred tax accounted for in the consolidated balance sheet comprise the following net deferred tax assets/(liabilities):

Property,
plant and
equipment
£ million

Intangible
assets
£ million

Post
employment
plans
£ million

Tax losses
£ million

Other
temporary
differences(i)
£ million

Total
£ million

At 30 June 2017
Exchange differences
Recognised in income statement – continuing operations
Reclassification
Recognised in other comprehensive income and equity
Tax rate change – recognised in income statement
Tax rate change – recognised in other comprehensive income and equity
At 30 June 2018
Exchange differences
Recognised in income statement – continuing operations
Reclassification
Recognised in other comprehensive income and equity
Tax rate change – recognised in income statement
Tax rate change – recognised in other comprehensive income 

and equity

Acquisition of subsidiaries
Transfer to assets held for sale
At 30 June 2019

(180)
7
(134)
(4)
–
19
–
(292)
(7)
(51)
(2)
–
1

–
–
2
(349)

(2,277)
89
(14)
–
–
390
–
(1,812)
(47)
14
(3)
–
51

–
(5)
7
(1,795)

112
(2)
(9)
(1)
(105)
(16)
(6)
(27)
2
(17)
12
(8)
(1)

1
–
–
(38)

43
(1)
(15)
–
5
–
–
32
1
(14)
3
5
2

(5)
–
–
24

324
(11)
(84)
5
35
(30)
(5)
234
4
28
(10)
(1)
1

8
–
–
264

(1,978)
82
(256)
–
(65)
363
(11)
(1,865)
(47)
(40)
–
(4)
54

4
(5)
9
(1,894)

(i)  Deferred tax on other temporary differences includes thalidomide provisions, restructuring provisions, share-based payments and intra group sales of products.

After offsetting deferred tax assets and liabilities where appropriate 
within territories, the net deferred tax liability comprises:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

138
(2,032)
(1,894)

122
(1,987)
(1,865)

The deferred tax assets of £138 million includes £60 million (2018 
– £70 million) arising in jurisdictions with prior year taxable losses. 
The majority of the asset is in respect of Ireland, where the amounts 
arose from timing differences on pension funding payments. It is 
considered more likely than not that there will be sufficient future 
taxable profits to realise these deferred tax assets, the majority of 
which can be carried forward indefinitely.

(e) Unrecognised deferred tax assets
Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of the 
following tax losses:

(f) Unrecognised deferred tax liabilities
UK legislation largely exempts overseas dividends remitted from UK 
tax. A tax liability is more likely to arise in respect of withholding taxes 
levied by the overseas jurisdiction. Deferred tax is provided where 
there is an intention to distribute earnings, and a tax liability arises. 
It is impractical to estimate the amount of unrecognised deferred tax 
liabilities in respect of these unremitted earnings.

The aggregate amount of temporary differences in respect of 
investments in subsidiaries, branches, interests in associates and joint 
ventures for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised 
is approximately £12.2 billion (2018 – £12 billion).

8. Discontinued operations

Accounting policies
Discontinued operations comprise disposal groups where 
they represent a major line of business or geographical area 
of operations or business activities that the group no longer 
participates in or did not form part of the group’s operations.

Capital losses – indefinite

Trading losses – indefinite

Trading losses – expiry dates up to 2029

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

62

70

53

185

69

92

55

216

In the year ended 30 June 2017 discontinued operations comprised 
£55 million (net of deferred tax of £9 million), of additional amounts 
payable to the UK Thalidomide Trust, updates to the discount and 
inflation rates applied to the existing thalidomide provision and legal 
costs. Cash payments in the year ended 30 June 2017 in respect of 
the agreement were £31 million.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

129

Operating assets and liabilities

Introduction

This section describes the assets used to generate the group’s performance and the liabilities 
incurred. Liabilities relating to the group’s financing activities are included in section 
‘Risk management and capital structure’ and balance sheet information in respect of associates, 
joint ventures and taxation are covered in section ‘Results for the year’. This section also 
provides detailed disclosures on the group’s recent acquisitions and disposals, performance 
and financial position of its defined benefit post employment plans.

9. Acquisition and sale of businesses and purchase of non-controlling interests

Accounting policies
The consolidated financial statements include the results of the company and its subsidiaries together with the group’s attributable share 
of the results of associates and joint ventures. The results of subsidiaries acquired or sold are included in the income statement from, or up 
to, the date that control passes.

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. Identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired 

are measured at fair value at acquisition date. The consideration payable is measured at fair value and includes the fair value of any 
contingent consideration.

On the acquisition of a business, or of an interest in an associate or joint venture, fair values, reflecting conditions at the date of 

acquisition, are attributed to the net assets including identifiable intangible assets and contingent liabilities acquired. Directly attributable 
acquisition costs in respect of subsidiary companies acquired are recognised in other external charges as incurred.

The non-controlling interests on the date of acquisition can be measured either at the fair value or at the non-controlling shareholder’s 

proportion of the net fair value of the identifiable assets assumed. This choice is made separately for each acquisition.

Where the group has issued a put option over shares held by a non-controlling interest, the group derecognises the non-controlling 

interests and instead recognises a contingent deferred consideration liability for the estimated amount likely to be paid to the non-
controlling interest on the exercise of those options. Movements in the estimated liability in respect of put options are recognised in 
retained earnings.

Transactions with non-controlling interests are recorded directly in retained earnings.
For all entities in which the company, directly or indirectly, owns equity a judgement is made to determine whether the investor 
controls the investee and therefore should fully consolidate the investee. An assessment is carried out to determine whether the group 
has the exposure or rights to the variable returns of the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the 
investee. To establish control an analysis is carried out of the substantive and protective rights that the group and the other investors hold. 
This assessment is dependent on the activities and purpose of the investee and the rights of the other shareholders, such as which party 
controls the board, executive committee and material policies of the investee. Determining whether the rights that the group holds are 
substantive requires management judgement.

Where less than 50% of the equity of an investee is held, and the group holds significantly more voting rights than any other vote 
holder or organised group of vote holders this may be an indicator of de facto control. An assessment is needed to determine all the 
factors relevant to the relationship with the investee to ascertain whether control has been established and whether the investee should 
be consolidated as a subsidiary. Where voting power and returns from an investment are split equally between two entities then the 
arrangement is accounted for as a joint venture.

On an acquisition fair values are attributed to the assets and liabilities acquired. This may involve material judgement to determine 

these values.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
130 

(a) Acquisition of businesses
Fair value of net assets acquired and cash consideration paid in respect of the acquisition of businesses and the purchase of shares of non-
controlling interests in the three years ended 30 June 2019 were as follows:

Brands and other intangibles
Inventories
Other working capital
Deferred tax
Cash
Fair value of assets and liabilities
Goodwill arising on acquisition
Step acquisitions
Consideration payable
Satisfied by:
Cash consideration paid
Contingent consideration payable

Cash consideration paid for Casamigos
Cash consideration paid for other subsidiaries
Cash consideration paid for investments in associates
Cash consideration paid in respect of prior year acquisitions
Capital injection in associates
Cash acquired
Net cash outflow on acquisition of businesses
Purchase of shares of non-controlling interests
Total net cash outflow

Net assets acquired and consideration

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

25
–
(2)
(5)
–
18
10
(7)
21

6
15
21
9
6
15
9
17
–
56
784
840

478
4
2
–
6
490
249
–
739

555
184
739
549
6
12
22
11
(6)
594
–
594

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
6
23
2
–
31
–
31

Acquisitions in the year
On 28 September 2018 Diageo acquired the remaining 70% of Copper Dog Whisky Limited (CDWL) that it did not already own for an upfront 
valuation of £6.5 million and further earn-out payments based on CDWL achieving performance targets. The discounted current estimate for 
the earn-out payments is £10 million.

In addition, Diageo has made a number of smaller acquisitions of brands, distribution rights and equity interests in various 

drinks businesses.

Purchase of shares of non-controlling interests
On 17 August 2018 Diageo completed the purchase of 20.29% of the share capital of Sichuan Shuijingfang Company Limited (SJF) for RMB 
6,084 million (£696 million) and transaction costs of £7 million. This took Diageo’s shareholding in SJF from 39.71% to 60%. SJF was already 
controlled and therefore consolidated prior to the transaction.

On 9 April 2019 Diageo completed the purchase of a further 3.14% of the share capital of SJF for RMB 690 million (£79 million) and 

transaction costs of £2 million, which took Diageo’s shareholding in SJF from 60% to 63.14%.

Prior year acquisitions
On 15 August 2017 Diageo completed the purchase of 100% of the share capital of Casamigos Tequila, LLC (Casamigos), a super premium 
tequila based in the United States, for $1,000 million (£777 million) of which $300 million (£233 million) was contingent on Casamigos achieving 
certain performance targets.

On 14 March 2018 Diageo completed the acquisition of Belsazar GmbH, a premium aperitif from Germany’s Black Forest.
On 2 May 2018 Diageo acquired 100% of the intellectual property of Pierde Almas, an ultra premium mezcal.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Operating assets and liabilities 

131

(b) Sale of businesses
Cash consideration received and net assets disposed of in respect of sale of businesses in the year ended 30 June 2019:

Sale consideration
Cash received in year
Transaction and other directly attributable costs paid
Net cash received
Transaction costs payable

Net assets disposed of
Brands
Goodwill
Property, plant and equipment
Investment in associates
Inventories

Gain/(loss) on disposal before taxation
Taxation
Gain/(loss) on disposal after taxation

Portfolio of 
19 brands
£ million

USL wine 
business
£ million

Total
£ million

435
(12)
423
(4)
419

(230)
(12)
(2)
(3)
(17)
(264)
155
(33)
122

3
–
3
–
3

–
–
(4)
–
(1)
(5)
(2)
–
(2)

438
(12)
426
(4)
422

(230)
(12)
(6)
(3)
(18)
(269)
153
(33)
120

Diageo completed the sale of a portfolio of 19 brands (Seagram’s VO, Seagram’s 83, Seagram’s Five Star, Popov, Myers’s, Parrot Bay, Yukon Jack, 
Romana Sambuca, Scoresby, Goldschlager, Relska, Stirrings, The Club, Booth’s, Black Haus, Peligroso, Grind, Piehole and John Begg) to Sazerac 
on 20 December 2018 for an aggregate consideration of $550 million (£435 million). Diageo will continue to provide manufacturing services for 
all disposed brands until December 2019 and for five brands up to December 2028.

In the year ended 30 June 2019, up until the date of sale, these 19 brands contributed net sales of £67 million (2018 – £153 million; 2017 – 
£167 million), operating profit of £43 million (2018 – £99 million; 2017 – £107 million) and profit after taxation of £34 million (2018 – £79 million; 
2017 – £85 million).

In the two years ended 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2017 there were no significant disposals completed by the group.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS132 

10. Intangible assets

Accounting policies
Acquired intangible assets are held on the consolidated balance sheet at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. 
Acquired brands and other intangible assets are initially recognised at fair value when they are controlled through contractual or other 
legal rights, or are separable from the rest of the business, and the fair value can be reliably measured. Where these assets are regarded as 
having indefinite useful economic lives, they are not amortised.

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred, the value of any non-controlling interests and the fair 

value of any previously held equity interest in the subsidiary acquired over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill 
arising on acquisitions prior to 1 July, 1998 was eliminated against reserves, and this goodwill has not been reinstated. Goodwill arising 
subsequent to 1 July, 1998 has been capitalised.

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets is based on their useful economic lives and are amortised on a straight-line basis over 

those lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. 
Goodwill and intangible assets that are regarded as having indefinite useful economic lives are not amortised and are reviewed for 
impairment at least annually or when there is an indication that the assets may be impaired. Impairment reviews compare the net carrying 
value with the recoverable amount (where recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less cost to sell and value in use). Amortisation 
and any impairment write downs are charged to other operating expenses in the income statement.

Computer software is amortised on a straight-line basis to estimated residual value over its expected useful life. Residual values and 

useful lives are reviewed each year. Subject to these reviews, the estimated useful lives are up to eight years.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
Assessment of the recoverable amount of an intangible asset and the useful economic life of an asset are based on 
management’s estimates.

Impairment reviews are carried out to ensure that intangible assets, including brands, are not carried at above their recoverable 
amounts. The tests are dependent on management’s estimates in respect of the forecasting of future cash flows, the discount rates 
applicable to the future cash flows and what expected growth rates are reasonable. Judgement is required in determining the cash-
generating units. Such estimates and judgements are subject to change as a result of changing economic conditions and actual cash 
flows may differ from forecasts.

Cost

At 30 June 2017

Exchange differences

Additions

Disposals

At 30 June 2018

Exchange differences

Additions

Disposals
Transfers to assets held for sale(i)
At 30 June 2019

Amortisation and impairment

At 30 June 2017

Exchange differences

Amortisation for the year

Exceptional impairment

Disposals

At 30 June 2018

Exchange differences

Amortisation for the year

Disposals

At 30 June 2019

Carrying amount

At 30 June 2019

At 30 June 2018

At 30 June 2017

Brands 
£ million

Goodwill 
£ million

Other 
intangibles  
£ million

Computer 
software  
£ million

Total 
£ million

8,815

(347)

478

–

8,946

182

25

(230)

(28)

2,791

(252)

249

–

2,788

28

10

(12)

(19)

1,506

(24)

–

–

1,482

56

2

–

–

8,895

2,795

1,540

586

(10)

–

40

–

616

5

–

–

68

(8)

–

50

–

110

3

–

–

621

113

72

–

3

–

–

75

–

3

–

78

8,274

8,330

8,229

2,682

2,678

2,723

1,462

1,407

1,434

578

(7)

35

(2)

604

8

46

(5)

–

653

398

(5)

55

–

(1)

447

8

60

(1)

514

139

157

180

13,690

(630)

762

(2)

13,820

274

83

(247)

(47)

13,883

1,124

(23)

58

90

(1)

1,248

16

63

(1)

1,326

12,557

12,572

12,566

(i)  Transfers to assets held for sale in the year ended 30 June 2019 relate to United National Breweries (UNB). In addition assets held for sale comprise tangibles and other current assets of £17 million and 

liabilities held for sale comprising £32 million in respect of UNB. Assets held for sale also include £1 million in respect of tangible assets owned by USL.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Operating assets and liabilities 

133

(a) Brands
At 30 June 2019, the principal acquired brands, all of which are regarded as having indefinite useful economic lives, are as follows:

Crown Royal whisky
McDowell’s No.1 whisky, rum and brandy
Captain Morgan rum
Smirnoff vodka
Johnnie Walker whisky
Windsor Premier whisky
Casamigos tequila
Shui Jing Fang Chinese white spirit
Yenì Raki
Signature whisky
Don Julio tequila
Bell’s whisky
Black Dog whisky
Seagram’s 7 Crown whiskey
Antiquity whisky
Zacapa rum
Gordon’s gin
Bagpiper whisky
Old Parr whisky
Other brands(i)

Principal markets

United States
India
Global
Global
Global
Korea
United States
Greater China
Turkey
India
United States
United Kingdom
India
United States
India
Global
Europe
India
Global

2019 
£ million

2018 
£ million

1,153
1,112
946
648
625
589
476
259
231
209
209
179
177
176
173
151
119
119
106
617
8,274

1,109
1,077
910
624
625
591
458
259
280
202
195
179
171
169
167
145
119
116
101
833
8,330

(i) 

In the year ended 30 June 2019 Diageo completed the sale of a portfolio of 19 brands to Sazerac. See note 9(b) for further information.

The brands are protected by trademarks, which are renewable 
indefinitely, in all of the major markets where they are sold. There 
are not believed to be any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions 
that limit the useful lives of these brands. The nature of the premium 
drinks industry is that obsolescence is not a common issue, with 
indefinite brand lives being commonplace, and Diageo has a number 
of brands that were originally created more than 100 years ago. 
Accordingly, the Directors believe that it is appropriate that the 
brands are treated as having indefinite lives for accounting purposes 
and are therefore not amortised.

(b) Goodwill
For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill has been attributed 
to the following cash-generating units:

North America
Europe and Turkey
  – Europe (excluding Turkey)
  – Turkey
Africa – Africa Regional Markets
Latin America and Caribbean – Mexico
Asia Pacific
  – Greater China
  – India
Other cash-generating units

2019 
£ million 

2018 
£ million 

403

172
234
26
143

131
1,511
62
2,682

390

170
284
27
133

131
1,462
81
2,678

Goodwill has arisen on the acquisition of businesses and includes 
synergies arising from cost savings, the opportunity to utilise 
Diageo’s distribution network to leverage marketing of the acquired 
products and the extension of the group’s portfolio of brands in new 
markets around the world.

(c) Other intangibles
Other intangibles principally comprise distribution rights. Diageo 
owns the global distribution rights for Ketel One vodka products in 
perpetuity, and the Directors believe that it is appropriate to treat 
these rights as having an indefinite life for accounting purposes. 
The carrying value at 30 June 2019 was £1,418 million (2018 – 
£1,363 million).

(d) Impairment testing
Impairment tests are performed annually, or more frequently if 
events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not 
be recoverable. Recoverable amounts are calculated based on the 
value in use approach. The value in use calculations are based on 
discounted forecast cash flows using the assumption that cash flows 
continue in perpetuity at the terminal growth rate of each country 
or region. The individual brands and their associated tangible fixed 
assets are aggregated and tested as separate cash-generating unit. 
Separate tests are carried out for each cash-generating unit (brand 
and attributable tangible fixed assets) and for each of the markets. 
Goodwill is attributed to each of the markets.

Cash flows
Cash flows are forecast for each cash-generating unit for the financial 
year, which is approved by management and reflects expectations of 
sales growth, operating costs and margin, based on past experience 
and external sources of information.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSIn the year ended 30 June 2018, an impairment charge in respect of 
the Meta brand, the related tangible fixed assets, associated spare 
parts included in inventories and goodwill allocated to the Africa 
Regional Markets cash-generating unit of £40 million, £35 million, 
£3 million and £50 million, respectively, was charged to operating 
exceptional expenses. The impairment reduced the deferred tax 
liability, attributable to the brand and tangible fixed assets by 
£13 million resulting in a net exceptional loss of £115 million. 

(e) Sensitivity to change in key assumptions
Impairment testing for the year ended 30 June 2019 has identified 
the following cash-generating units as being sensitive to reasonably 
possible changes in assumptions. 

The table below shows the headroom at 30 June 2019 and the 
impairment charge that would be required if the assumptions in the 
calculation of their value in use were changed:

1ppt  
increase in 
discount rate 
£ million

2ppt  
decrease 
in annual 
growth rate 
£ million

5ppt 
decrease 
in annual 
growth rate 
in forecast 
period  
2020-2029  
£ million

–

(75)

–

(831)

(167)

–

Headroom 
£ million

702

6

India(i)
Windsor Premier 

brand(ii)

(i)  As India is a developing market, where maturity is not expected for a number of years, 

a management forecast growth projection was used until 2029. The only change in the key 
assumptions considered reasonably possible that would result in an impairment of the cash-
generating unit would be a 5ppt decrease in the annual growth rates throughout the forecast 
period. The cumulative effect of such a change is disclosed in the table above. 

(ii)  The Windsor Premier brand is disclosed as sensitive due to the challenging whisky market in Korea. 
Reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions that would result in an impairment of the 
brand would be a 2ppt decrease in the annual growth rate in perpetuity or a 1ppt increase in 
discount rate. The cumulative effect of such changes is disclosed in the table above. 

It remains possible that changes in assumptions could arise in excess 
of those indicated in the table above.

For all intangibles with an indefinite life, other than those 
disclosed in the table above, management has concluded that no 
reasonable possible change in the key assumptions on which it has 
determined the recoverable amounts would cause their carrying 
values to materially exceed their recoverable amounts.

134 

Discount rates
The discount rates used are the weighted average cost of capital 
which reflects the returns on government bonds and an equity 
risk premium adjusted for the drinks industry specific to the cash-
generating units. Further risk premiums are applied according to 
management’s assessment of the risks in respect of the cash flows for 
a particular asset or cash-generating unit. The group applies post-tax 
discount rates to post-tax cash flows as the valuation calculated using 
this method closely approximates to applying pre-tax discount rates 
to pre-tax cash flows.

Long-term growth rates, period of growth and terminal growth rates
The terminal growth rates applied at the end of the forecast period 
are the long-term annual inflation rate of the country adjusted 
to take into account circumstances specific to the asset or cash-
generating unit. For some intangible assets, management expects to 
achieve growth, driven by Diageo’s sales, marketing and distribution 
expertise, which is significantly in excess of the terminal growth 
rates for the applicable countries or regions. In these circumstances, 
the recoverable amount is calculated based on a five-year detailed 
plan and extended by up to an additional ten years using the annual 
growth rate of the real gross domestic product (GDP) of the country 
or region aggregated with its inflation rate, adjusted to take into 
account circumstances specific to the asset or cash-generating unit. 
In the calculation of the terminal value, the long-term annual inflation 
rate of the country is used as the terminal growth rate.

For goodwill, these assumptions are based on the cash-

generating unit or group of units to which the goodwill is attributed. 
For brands, they are based on a weighted average taking into 
account the country or countries where sales are made.

The pre-tax discount rates and terminal growth rates used for 

impairment testing are as follows:

2019

Pre-tax 
discount  
rate  
%

Terminal  
growth  
rate  
%

Pre-tax 
discount  
rate  
%

2018

Terminal  
growth  
rate  
%

North America – United States
Europe and Turkey
  – Europe (excluding Turkey)
  – Turkey

Africa
  – Africa Regional Markets

  – Ethiopia
Latin America and Caribbean
  – Brazil
  – Mexico
Asia Pacific
  – Korea
  – Greater China
  – India

9

7
25

25

25

16
17

8
10
14

2

2
13

5

8

4
3

2
3
5

10

7
16

25

24

15
16

8
9
14

2

2
5

5

8

4
3

2
2
5

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Operating assets and liabilities 

135

11. Property, plant and equipment

Accounting policies
Land and buildings are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Freehold land is not depreciated. Leaseholds are generally depreciated 
over the unexpired period of the lease. Other property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis to estimated residual 
values over their expected useful lives, and these values and lives are reviewed each year. Subject to these reviews, the estimated useful 
lives fall within the following ranges: buildings – 10 to 50 years; within plant and equipment casks and containers – 15 to 50 years; other 
plant and equipment – 5 to 25 years; fixtures and fittings – 5 to 10 years; and returnable bottles and crates – 5 to 10 years. 

Reviews are carried out if there is an indication that assets may be impaired, to ensure that property, plant and equipment are not 

carried at above their recoverable amounts.

Government grants
Government grants are not recognised until there is reasonable assurance that the group will comply with the conditions pursuant to 
which they have been granted and that the grants will be received. Government grants in respect of property, plant and equipment are 
deducted from the asset that they relate to, reducing the depreciation expense charged to the income statement.

Leases
Where the group has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of an asset subject to a lease, the lease is treated as a finance lease. 
Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the group at their fair value at the inception of the lease. The corresponding 
liability to the lessor is included in other financial liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Lease payments are apportioned between 
interest expense and a reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. 
Other leases are treated as operating leases, with payments and receipts taken to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the life 
of the lease.

Cost
At 30 June 2017
Exchange differences
Sale of businesses
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
At 30 June 2018

Exchange differences
Sale of businesses
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
At 30 June 2019
Depreciation
At 30 June 2017
Exchange differences
Depreciation charge for the year
Exceptional impairment
Sale of businesses
Disposals
At 30 June 2018

Exchange differences
Depreciation charge for the year

Sale of businesses
Disposals
Transfers
At 30 June 2019
Carrying amount
At 30 June 2019
At 30 June 2018
At 30 June 2017

Land and 
buildings  
£ million

Plant and 
equipment  
£ million

Fixtures 
and  
fittings  
£ million

Returnable 
bottles and  
crates  
£ million

Under 
construction  
£ million

Total 
£ million

1,628
(36)
(2)
20
(38)
13
1,585

16
(2)
42
(16)
87
1,712

448
(10)
48
–
(1)
(18)
467

4
49

–
(9)
–
511

1,201
1,118
1,180

3,958
(73)
–
138
(84)
163
4,102

54
(7)
180
(32)
218
4,515

1,631
(32)
210
26
–
(74)
1,761

23
216

(4)
(25)
(6)
1,965

2,550
2,341
2,327

127
(6)
–
7
(6)
4
126

1
(1)
9
(13)
3
125

86
(4)
15
–
–
(6)
91

–
13

–
(12)
(1)
91

34
35
41

523
(9)
–
27
(25)
18
534

4
–
31
(21)
18
566

351
(4)
37
9
–
(22)
371

3
33

–
(17)
–
390

176
163
172

294
(7)
–
372
(4)
(223)
432

10
–
383
(2)
(329)
494

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–

494
432
294

6,530
(131)
(2)
564
(157)
(25)
6,779

85
(10)
645
(84)
(3)
7,412

2,516
(50)
310
35
(1)
(120)
2,690

30
311

(4)
(63)
(7)
2,957

4,455
4,089
4,014

(a) The net book value of land and buildings comprises freeholds of £1,162 million (2018 – £1,073 million), long leaseholds of £21 million (2018 – 
£25 million) and short leaseholds of £18 million (2018 – £20 million). Depreciation was not charged on £164 million (2018 – £147 million) of land.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS136 

(b) At 30 June 2019, tangible fixed assets held under finance leases 
amounted to £230 million (2018 – £231 million), principally in respect 
of plant and equipment. Depreciation on assets held under finance 
leases was £12 million (2018 – £16 million).

At 30 June 2019, loans comprise £17 million (2018 – £35 million; 2017 
– £18 million) of loans to customers and other third parties, after 
allowances of £111 million (2018 – £108 million; 2017 – £110 million), 
and £nil (2018 – £nil; 2017 – £3 million) of loans to associates.

(c) Property, plant and equipment is net of a government grant of 
£143 million (2018 – £140 million) received in prior years in respect of 
the construction of a rum distillery in the US Virgin Islands.

(d) Transfers in the year ended 30 June 2019 include £14 million 
transferred to assets held for sale in respect of United National 
Breweries. In addition, transfers include £18 million transferred from 
assets held for sale to property, plant and equipment as the disposals 
are not expected to be completed by 30 June 2020.

(e) In the year ended 30 June 2018, an exceptional accelerated 
depreciation and impairment of £35 million in respect of 
Ethiopian tangible fixed assets was charged to other operating 
exceptional expenses.

12. Other investments

Accounting policies
Other investments are such equity investments that are not 
classified as investments in associates or joint arrangements nor 
investments in subsidiaries. They are included in non-current 
assets. Subsequent to initial measurement, other investments 
are stated at fair value. Gains and losses arising from the 
changes in fair value are recognised in the income statement 
or in other comprehensive income on a case by case basis. 
Accumulated gains and losses included in other comprehensive 
income are not recycled to the income statement. Dividends 
from other investments are recognised in the consolidated 
income statement.

Loans receivable are non-derivative financial assets that are not 
classified as equity investments. They are subsequently measured 
either at amortised cost using the effective interest method less 
allowance for impairment or at fair value with gains and losses 
arising from changes in fair value recognised in the income 
statement or in other comprehensive income that are recycled 
to the income statement on the de-recognition of the asset. 
Allowances for expected credit losses are made based on the risk 
of non-payment taking into account ageing, previous experience, 
economic conditions and forward-looking data. Such allowances 
are measured as either 12-months expected credit losses or 
lifetime expected credit losses depending on changes in the 
credit quality of the counterparty.

Cost less allowances or fair value
At 30 June 2017
Exchange differences
Additions
Repayments and disposals
Fair value adjustment
At 30 June 2018
Additions
Repayments and disposals
Fair value adjustment

Transfers
At 30 June 2019

Loans 
£ million

Others 
£ million

Total 
£ million

21
(1)
21
(2)
(4)
35
2
(1)
–

(19)
17

10
2
–
(2)
1
11
–
–
2

19
32

31
1
21
(4)
(3)
46
2
(1)
2

–
49

13. Post employment benefits 

Accounting policies
The group’s principal pension funds are defined benefit plans. 
In addition, the group has defined contribution plans, unfunded 
post employment medical benefit liabilities and other unfunded 
defined benefit post employment liabilities. For post employment 
plans, other than defined contribution plans, the amount 
charged to operating profit is the cost of accruing pension 
benefits promised to employees over the year, plus any changes 
arising on benefits granted to members by the group during 
the year. Net finance charges comprise the net deficit/asset on 
the plans at the beginning of the year, adjusted for cash flows in 
the year, multiplied by the discount rate for plan liabilities. The 
differences between the fair value of the plans’ assets and the 
present value of the plans’ liabilities are disclosed as an asset 
or liability on the consolidated balance sheet. Any differences 
due to changes in assumptions or experience are recognised in 
other comprehensive income. The amount of any pension fund 
asset recognised on the balance sheet is limited to any future 
refunds from the plan or the present value of reductions in future 
contributions to the plan.

Contributions payable by the group in respect of defined 
contribution plans are charged to operating profit as incurred.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
Application of IAS 19 requires the exercise of estimate and 
judgement in relation to various assumptions. 

Diageo determines the assumptions on a country by country 

basis in conjunction with its actuaries. Estimates are required in 
respect of uncertain future events including the life expectancy 
of members of the funds, salary and pension increases, future 
inflation rates, discount rates and employee and pensioner 
demographics. The application of different assumptions could 
have a significant effect on the amounts reflected in the income 
statement, other comprehensive income and the balance sheet. 
There may be interdependencies between the assumptions.

Where there is an accounting surplus on a defined benefit 
plan management judgement is necessary to determine whether 
the group can obtain a refund of the surplus by reducing future 
contributions to the plan.

(a) Post employment benefit plans
The group operates a number of pension plans throughout the 
world, devised in accordance with local conditions and practices. 
The majority of the plans are defined benefit plans and are funded by 
payments to separately administered trusts or insurance companies. 
The group also operates a number of plans that are generally 
unfunded, primarily in the United States, which provide to employees 
post employment medical benefits. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Operating assets and liabilities 

137

The principal plans are in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United 
States where benefits are based on employees’ length of service and 
salary at retirement. All valuations were performed by independent 
actuaries using the projected unit credit method to determine 
pension costs. The most recent funding valuations of the significant 
defined benefit plans were carried out as follows:

Principal plans

United Kingdom(i)
Ireland(ii)
United States

Date of valuation

1 April 2018
31 December 2015
1 January 2019

(i)  The Diageo Pension Scheme (the UK Scheme) closed to new members in November 2005. 

Employees who have joined Diageo in the United Kingdom since the defined benefit scheme 
closed had been eligible to become members of the Diageo Lifestyle Plan (a cash balance defined 
benefit pension plan) until 1 January 2018. Since then new employees have been eligible to 
become members of a Diageo administered defined contribution plan.

(ii)  The triennial valuation of the Guinness Ireland Group Pension Scheme in Ireland (the Irish Scheme) 
is in progress and the results of this valuation are expected to be agreed by Diageo and the trustee 
later in calendar year 2019. The Irish scheme closed to new members in May 2013. Employees 
who have joined Diageo in Ireland since the defined benefit scheme closed have been eligible to 
become members of Diageo administered defined contribution plans. 

The assets of the UK and Irish pension plans are held in separate 
trusts administered by trustees who are required to act in the best 
interests of the plans’ beneficiaries. For the UK Scheme, the trustee 
is Diageo Pension Trust Limited. As required by legislation, one-
third of the directors of the Trust are nominated by the members 
of the UK Scheme, member nominated directors are appointed 
from both the pensioner member community and the active 
member community. For the Irish Scheme Diageo Ireland makes four 
nominations and appoints three further candidates nominated by 
representative groupings.

The amounts charged to the consolidated income statement 
for the group’s defined benefit post employment plans and the 
consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the three years 
ended 30 June 2019 are as follows:

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

Current service cost and administrative 

expenses

Past service gains – ordinary activities
Past service losses – exceptional
Gains on curtailments and settlements
Charge to operating profit
Net finance gain/(charge) in respect of 

post employment plans
Charge before taxation(i)
Actual returns less amounts included in 

finance income

Experience gains/(losses)
Changes in financial assumptions
Changes in demographic assumptions
Other comprehensive income
Changes in the surplus restriction
Total other comprehensive income

(110)
56
(21)
4
(71)

7
(64)

438
113
(514)
(6)
31
2
33

(123)
33
–
6
(84)

(11)
(95)

312
(30)
108
69
459
(2)
457

(133)
14
–
10
(109)

(25)
(134)

973
58
(466)
86
651
1
652

(1)  From 1 April 2018 there were changes to the future benefits earned by employees in the UK 
Scheme. The changes impact the ongoing service cost but not the benefits earned by the 
members as at 31 March 2018. In addition, in the year ended 30 June 2019, changes made to future 
pension increases for members of the UK scheme (including a Pension Increase Exchange (PIE) 
option offered to current pensioners) and changes to the principal Irish scheme which resulted 
in an aggregate past service credit of £54 million (2018 – £21 million in respect of changes to 
future pension increases in the principal Irish scheme). The exceptional past service loss, in the 
year ended 30 June 2019, of £21 million is in respect of the equalisation of Guaranteed Minimum 
Pension (GMP) benefits for men and women (see note 4(b)). 

(i) The charge before taxation in respect of the following countries is:

United Kingdom
Ireland
United States
Other

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

(3)
(13)
(30)
(18)
(64)

(49)
1
(29)
(18)
(95)

(67)
(15)
(34)
(18)
(134)

In addition to the charge in respect of defined benefit post 
employment plans, contributions to the group’s defined contribution 
plans were £19 million (2018 – £18 million; 2017 – £17 million).

The movement in the net (deficit)/surplus for the two years ended 
30 June 2019 is set out below:

At 30 June 2017
Exchange differences
Charge before taxation
Other comprehensive income(i)
Contributions by the group
Employee contributions
Benefits paid
At 30 June 2018
Exchange differences
Charge before taxation
Other comprehensive income/(loss)(i)
Contributions by the group
Employee contributions
Benefits paid
At 30 June 2019

(i)  Excludes surplus restriction.

Plan
assets
£ million

Plan
liabilities
£ million

Net
(deficit)/
surplus
£ million

9,226
(1)
227
312

192
6
(652)
9,310
45
234
438
192
5
(511)
9,713

(9,716)
1
(322)
147

–
(6)
652
(9,244)
(55)
(298)
(407)
–
(5)
511
(9,498)

(490)
–
(95)
459

192
–
–
66
(10)
(64)
31
192
–
–
215

The plan assets and liabilities by type of post employment benefit 
and country is as follows:

Pensions
  United Kingdom

Ireland

  United States
  Other
Post employment medical
Other post employment

2019

Plan 
assets  
£ million

Plan 
liabilities  
£ million

Plan 
assets  
£ million

7,115
1,747
593
186
1
71
9,713

(6,257)
(2,098)
(545)
(234)
(275)
(89)
(9,498)

6,792
1,745
525
180
1
67
9,310

The balance sheet analysis of the post employment plans 
is as follows:

Non-  
current
 assets(i)
£ million

1,060
–
1,060

2019

Non- 
current  
liabilities  
£ million

(547)
(299)
(846)

Non-  
current 
assets(i) 

£ million

935
–
935

Funded plans
Unfunded plans

(i) 

Includes surplus restriction of £1 million (2018 – £3 million).

2018

Plan 
liabilities  
£ million

(6,032)
(2,148)
(505)
(215)
(259)
(85)
(9,244)

2018

Non- 
current  
liabilities  
£ million

(593)
(279)
(872)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
138 

The disclosures have been prepared in accordance with IFRIC 14. In particular, where the calculation for a plan results in a surplus, the 
recognised asset is limited to the present value of any available future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan, 
and any additional liabilities are recognised as required.

(b) Principal risks and assumptions
The material post employment plans are not exposed to any unusual, entity specific or scheme specific risks but there are general risks:
Inflation – the majority of the plans’ obligations are linked to inflation. Higher inflation will lead to increased liabilities which is partially offset by 
the plans holding inflation linked gilts, swaps and caps against the level of inflationary increases.

Interest rate – The plan liabilities are determined using discount rates derived from yields on AA-rated corporate bonds. A decrease in 
corporate bond yields will increase plan liabilities though this will be partially offset by an increase in the value of the bonds held by the post 
employment plans.

Mortality – The majority of the obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the members and their partners, so any increase in life 
expectancy will result in an increase in the plans’ liabilities.

Asset returns – Assets held by the pension plans are invested in a diversified portfolio of equities, bonds and other assets. Volatility in asset 
values will lead to movements in the net deficit/surplus reported in the consolidated balance sheet for post employment plans which in 
addition will also impact the post employment expense in the consolidated income statement.

The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the group’s deficit/surplus in the main post employment plans at 
30 June in the relevant year. The assumptions used to calculate the charge/credit in the consolidated income statement for the year ending 
30 June are based on the assumptions disclosed as at the previous 30 June.

Rate of general increase in salaries(ii)
Rate of increase to pensions in payment
Rate of increase to deferred pensions
Discount rate for plan liabilities
Inflation – CPI
Inflation – RPI

United Kingdom

2019
%

3.6
3.2
2.2
2.3
2.2
3.2

2018
%

4.3
3.3
2.1
2.8
2.1
3.1

2017
%

4.4
3.4
2.2
2.6
2.2
3.2

2019
%

2.3
1.5
1.3
1.2
1.3
–

Ireland

2017
%

3.0
1.7
1.6
2.1
1.6
–

2018
%

3.2
2.0
1.8
1.7
1.8
–

United States(i)

2019
%

–
–
–
3.4
1.7
–

2018
%

–
–
–
4.1
2.1
–

2017
%

–
–
–
3.7
1.8
–

(i)  The salary increase assumption in the United States is not a significant assumption as only a minimal amount of members’ pension entitlement is dependent on a member’s projected final salary.
(ii)  The salary increase assumptions include an allowance for age related promotional salary increases.

For the principal UK and Irish pension funds, the table below illustrates the expected age at death of an average worker who retires currently at 
the age of 65, and one who is currently aged 45 and subsequently retires at the age of 65: 

Retiring currently at age 65
Male
Female
Currently aged 45, retiring at age 65
Male
Female

United Kingdom(i)

Ireland(ii)

United States

2019
Age

86.2
88.5

88.3
90.6

2018
Age

86.1
88.4

88.2
90.5

2017
Age

86.3
88.1

88.2
90.5

2019
Age

86.5
89.2

89.5
92.2

2018
Age

86.4
89.2

89.4
92.1

2017
Age

86.3
89.0

89.2
91.9

2019
Age

85.7
87.7

87.3
89.3

2018
Age

86.0
88.0

87.6
89.6

2017
Age

85.9
87.9

87.5
89.5

(i)  Based on the CMI’s S2 mortality tables with scaling factors based on the experience of the plan and where people live, with suitable future improvements.
(ii)  Based on the ‘00’ series of mortality tables with scaling factors based on the experience of the plan and with suitable future improvements.

For the significant assumptions, the following sensitivity analyses estimate the potential impacts on the consolidated income statement for 
the year ended 30 June 2020 and on the plan liabilities at 30 June 2019:

Benefit/(cost)

Effect of 0.5% increase in discount rate
Effect of 0.5% decrease in discount rate
Effect of 0.5% increase in inflation
Effect of 0.5% decrease in inflation
Effect of one year increase in life expectancy

United Kingdom

Ireland

United States and other

Operating 
profit  
£ million

Profit 
after  
taxation  
£ million

Plan
liabilities(i)
£ million

Operating 
profit  
£ million

Profit 
after  
taxation  
£ million

Plan
liabilities(i)
£ million

Operating 
profit  
£ million

Profit 
after  
taxation  
£ million

Plan
liabilities(i)
£ million

4
(5)
(5)
4
(1)

19
(16)
(11)
11
(6)

512
(579)
(390)
380
(280)

3
(4)
(3)
3
(1)

(3)
3
(4)
4
(2)

172
(209)
(148)
152
(84)

1
(1)
(1)
–
–

2
(2)
(1)
1
(1)

33
(37)
(12)
12
(18)

(i)  The estimated effect on the liabilities excludes the impact of any interest rate and inflation swaps held by the pension plans. 

(1)  The sensitivity analyses above have been determined based on reasonably possible changes of the respective assumptions and may not be representative of the actual change. Each sensitivity is calculated 

on a change in the key assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. The sensitivity to inflation includes the impact on all inflation linked assumptions (e.g. pension increases and salary 
increases where appropriate).

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Operating assets and liabilities 

139

(c) Investment and hedging strategy
The investment strategy for the group’s funded post employment plans is determined locally by the trustees of the plan and/or Diageo, as 
appropriate, and takes account of the relevant statutory requirements. The objective of the investment strategy is to achieve a target rate of 
return in excess of the movement on the liabilities, whilst taking an acceptable level of investment risk relative to the liabilities. This objective is 
implemented by using the funds of the plans to invest in a variety of asset classes that are expected over the long-term to deliver a target rate 
of return. The majority of the investment strategies have significant amounts allocated to equities, with the intention that this will result in the 
ongoing cost to the group of the post employment plans being lower over the long-term, within acceptable boundaries of risk. Significant 
amounts are invested in bonds in order to provide a natural hedge against movements in the liabilities of the plans. At 30 June 2019, 
approximately 56% and 78% (2018 – 42% and 79%) of the UK Scheme’s liabilities were hedged against future movements in interest rates and 
inflation, respectively, through the combined effect of bonds and swaps. At 30 June 2019, approximately 44% and 71% (2018 – 45% and 72%) 
of the Irish Scheme’s liabilities were hedged against future movements in interest rates and inflation, respectively, through the combined 
effect of bonds and swaps. 

The discount rates used are based on the yields of high quality fixed income investments. For the UK plans, which represent approximately 

66% of total plan liabilities, the discount rate is determined by reference to the yield curves of AA-rated corporate bonds for which the 
timing and amount of cash outflows are similar to those of the plans. A similar process is used to determine the discount rates used for the 
non-UK plans. 

An analysis of the fair value of the plan assets is as follows:

Equities
  Quoted
  Unquoted and private equity
Bonds
  Fixed-interest government

Inflation-linked government
Investment grade corporate

  Non-investment grade
  Loan securities
  Repurchase agreements
  Liability driven investment (LDI)
Property – unquoted
Hedge funds
Interest rate and inflation swaps
Cash and other
Total bid value of assets

2019

United 
Kingdom 
£ million

Ireland 
£ million

United 
 States and  
 other  
£ million

Total 
£ million

United 
 Kingdom  
£ million

Ireland 
£ million

United 
 States and  
other  
£ million

2018

Total 
£ million

19
504

123
–
404
163
1,362
4,629
185
744
75
(1,048)
(45)
7,115

294
–

129
262
337
74
331
–
40
84
135
30
31
1,747

248
21

46
–
421
15
–
–
–
1
–
–
99
851

561
525

298
262
1,162
252
1,693
4,629
225
829
210
(1,018)
85
9,713

758
399

133
1,063
934
147
1,112
2,799
139
689
68
(1,415)
(34)
6,792

316
1

103
262
344
49
303
–
50
94
138
70
15
1,745

242
18

42
1
363
16
–
–
–
1
–
–
90
773

1,316
418

278
1,326
1,641
212
1,415
2,799
189
784
206
(1,345)
71
9,310

(1)  The asset classes include some cash holdings that are temporary. This cash is likely to be invested imminently and so has been included in the asset class where it is anticipated to be invested in the long-term.

Total cash contributions by the group to all post employment plans in the year ending 30 June 2020 are estimated to be approximately 
£170 million.

(d) Deficit funding arrangements
UK plans
In the year ended 30 June 2011 the group established a Pension Funding Partnership (PFP) in respect of the UK Scheme. Whisky inventory was 
transferred into the partnership but the group retains control over the partnership which at 30 June 2019 held inventory with a book value of 
£661 million (2018 – £647 million). The partnership is fully consolidated in the group financial statements. The UK Scheme has a limited interest 
in the partnership and, as a partner, is entitled to a distribution from the profits of the partnership which for the year ended 30 June 2019 was 
£25 million (2018 – £25 million) and is expected to be approximately the same amount for the next five years.

In 2024 the group will be required, dependent upon the funding position of the UK Scheme at that time, to pay an amount not greater 
than the actuarial deficit at that time, up to a maximum of £430 million in cash, to purchase the UK Scheme’s interest in the partnership. If 
the UK Scheme is in surplus at an actuarial triennial valuation without allowing for the value of the PFP, then Diageo can exit the PFP with the 
agreement of the trustees. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
 
140 

Irish plans
The group has also agreed a deficit funding arrangement with the trustees of the Irish Scheme under which it contributes to the Irish Scheme 
€23 million (£20 million) per annum until the year ending 30 June 2028. The agreement also provides for additional cash contributions into 
escrow of up to €135 million (£119 million) if the deficit is not reduced at each triennial valuation to agreed limits up to 2027. As part of this 
funding plan, Diageo has also granted to the Irish Scheme a contingent asset comprising mortgages over certain land and buildings and fixed 
and floating charges over certain receivables of the group up to a value of €200 million (£177 million). Following the actuarial triennial valuation 
as of 31 December 2015, the group made additional cash contributions of €32 million (£28 million) during the year ended 30 June 2017, and 
€9 million (£8 million) in both years ended 30 June 2018 and 30 June 2019. The group has also agreed to make conditional payments up 
to a maximum of €29 million (£26 million) if the deficit on the plan is greater than €232 million (£205 million) at the 2018 actuarial triennial 
valuation. Any conditional payments would be made equally over the three years after the 31 December 2018 actuarial triennial valuation has 
been agreed. The triennial valuation is in progress and the result of this valuation are expected to be agreed by Diageo and the trustee later in 
calendar year 2019.

(e) Timing of benefit payments
The following table provides information on the timing of the benefit payments and the average duration of the defined benefit obligations 
and the distribution of the timing of benefit payments:

Maturity analysis of benefits expected to be paid
Within one year
Between 1 to 5 years
Between 6 to 15 years
Between 16 to 25 years
Beyond 25 years
Total

Average duration of the defined benefit obligation

United Kingdom

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2019
£ million

Ireland

2018
£ million

United States

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

395
1,197
2,663
2,078
2,909
9,242
years
17

575
1,144
2,575
2,196
3,325
9,815
years
19

75
367
723
657
1,008
2,830
years
18

75
370
751
727
1,260
3,183
years
19

63
202
359
207
185
1,016
years
10

49
187
380
242
207
1,065
years
10

The projected benefit payments are based on the assumptions underlying the assessment of the obligations, including inflation. They are 
disclosed undiscounted and therefore appear large relative to the discounted value of the plan liabilities recognised in the consolidated 
balance sheet. They are in respect of benefits that have accrued at the balance sheet date and make no allowance for any benefits accrued 
subsequently.

(f) Related party disclosures
Information on transactions between the group and its pension plans is given in note 20.

14. Working capital

Accounting policies 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost includes raw materials, direct labour and expenses, an appropriate 
proportion of production and other overheads, but not borrowing costs. Cost is calculated at the weighted average cost incurred in 
acquiring inventories. Maturing inventories which are retained for more than one year are classified as current assets, as they are expected 
to be realised in the normal operating cycle. 

Trade and other receivables are initially recognised at fair value less transaction costs and subsequently carried at amortised cost less any 
allowance for discounts and doubtful debts. Trade receivables arise from contracts with customers, and are recognised when performance 
obligations are satisfied, and the consideration due is unconditional as only the passage of time is required before the payment is received. 
Allowance losses are calculated by reviewing lifetime expected credit losses using historic and forward-looking data on credit risk.

Trade and other payables are initially recognised at fair value including transaction costs and subsequently carried at amortised costs. 

Contingent consideration recognised in business combinations are subsequently measured at fair value through income statement.

Provisions are liabilities of uncertain timing or amount. A provision is recognised if, as a result of a past event, the group has a present 

legal or constructive obligation that can be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required 
to settle the obligation. Provisions are calculated on a discounted basis. The carrying amounts of provisions are reviewed at each balance 
sheet date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

(a) Inventories 

Raw materials and consumables
Work in progress
Maturing inventories
Finished goods and goods for resale

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

338
46
4,334
754
5,472

321
44
4,028
622
5,015

Maturing inventories include whisk(e)y, rum, tequila and Chinese 
white spirits. The following amounts of inventories are expected to 
be utilised after more than one year: 

Raw materials and consumables
Maturing inventories

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

14
3,434
3,448

12
3,253
3,265

Inventories are disclosed net of provisions for obsolescence, 
an analysis of which is as follows: 

Balance at beginning of the year
Exchange differences
Income statement (release)/charge
Utilised

(b) Trade and other receivables 

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

71
–
(3)
(5)

63

88
(2)
–
(15)

71

73
(1)
41
(25)

88

2019

2018

Current
assets
£ million

Non-current
assets
£ million

Current
assets
£ million

Non-current
assets
£ million

Trade receivables
Interest receivable
VAT recoverable and other 

prepaid taxes
Other receivables
Prepayments
Accrued income

2,173
25

132
141
202
21
2,694

–
–

14
31
8
–
53

2,152
14

124
211
157
20
2,678

–
–

3
35
8
–
46

At 30 June 2019, approximately 11%, 18% and 13% of the group’s 
trade receivables of £2,173 million are due from counterparties based 
in the United Kingdom, the United States and India, respectively. 
Accrued income primarily represents amounts receivable from 
customers in respect of performance obligations satisfied but not 
yet invoiced. 

The aged analysis of trade receivables, net of expected credit loss 

allowance, is as follows: 

Not overdue
Overdue 1 – 30 days
Overdue 31 – 60 days
Overdue 61 – 90 days
Overdue 91 – 180 days
Overdue more than 180 days

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2,083
27
21
13
15
14
2,173

2,067
19
19
13
21
13
2,152

Financial statements of the group:  
Operating assets and liabilities 

141

Trade and other receivables are disclosed net of expected credit loss 
allowance for doubtful debts, an analysis of which is as follows: 

Balance at beginning of the year

Exchange differences
Income statement charge
Written off

(c) Trade and other payables 

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

97

3
23
(10)
113

129

(4)
18
(46)
97

83

(1)
54
(7)
129

Trade payables
Interest payable
Tax and social security 

excluding income tax

Other payables
Accruals
Deferred income
Dividend payable to non-
controlling interests

2019

2018

Current
liabilities
£ million

Non-current
liabilities
£ million

Current
liabilities
£ million

Non-current
liabilities
£ million

1,694
127

640
565
1,097
56

23
4,202

–
–

–
222
–
–

–
222

1,514
104

638
471
1,165
37

21
3,950

–
–

2
204
3
–

–
209

Interest payable at 30 June 2019 includes interest on non-derivative 
financial instruments of £124 million (2018 – £100 million). Deferred 
income represents amounts paid by customers in respect of 
performance obligations not yet satisfied. Non-current liabilities 
includes £153 million in respect of the net present value of 
contingent consideration in respect of the acquisition of Casamigos.

(d) Provisions 

At 30 June 2018

Exchange differences
Provisions charged during the year(i)
Provisions utilised during the year

Unwinding of discounts

At 30 June 2019

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Thalidomide 
£ million

Other 
£ million

Total 
£ million

217

–

–

(15)

7

209

16

193

209

180

(1)

61

(33)

–

207

83

124

207

397

(1)

61

(48)

7

416

99

317

416

(i) 

Includes indirect tax provision in Korea. See note 4(a). 

(a) Provisions have been established in respect of the discounted 
value of the group’s commitment to the UK and Australian 
Thalidomide Trusts. These provisions will be utilised over the period 
of the commitments up to 2037. 

(b) The largest item in other provisions at 30 June 2019 is £45 million 
in respect of employee deferred compensation plans which will be 
utilised when employees leave the group. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS142 

Risk management and capital structure

Introduction

This section sets out the policies and procedures applied to manage the group’s capital 
structure and the financial risks the group is exposed to. Diageo considers the following 
components of its balance sheet to be capital: borrowings and equity. Diageo manages 
its capital structure to achieve capital efficiency, provide flexibility to invest through the 
economic cycle and give efficient access to debt markets at attractive cost levels.

15. Financial instruments and risk management

Accounting policies
Financial assets and liabilities are initially recorded at fair value including, where permitted by IFRS 9, any directly attributable transaction 
costs. For those financial assets that are not subsequently held at fair value, the group assesses whether there is evidence of impairment 
at each balance sheet date.

The group classifies its financial assets and liabilities into the following categories: financial assets and liabilities at amortised cost, 
financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit and loss and financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income.
The accounting policies for other investments and loans are described in note 12, for trade and other receivables and payables in 

note 14 and for cash and cash equivalents in note 16.

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include derivative assets and liabilities. Where financial assets or 

liabilities are eligible to be carried at either amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income, the group does not apply the 
fair value option.

Derivative financial instruments are carried at fair value using a discounted cash flow model based on market data applied consistently 
for similar types of instruments. Gains and losses on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment are taken to the income 
statement as they arise.

Other financial liabilities are carried at amortised cost unless they are part of a fair value hedge relationship. The difference between 
the initial carrying amount of the financial liabilities and their redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the contractual 
terms using the effective interest rate method.

Hedge accounting
The group designates and documents certain derivatives as hedging instruments against changes in fair value of recognised assets and 
liabilities (fair value hedges), highly probable forecast transactions or the cash flow risk from a change in exchange or interest rates (cash 
flow hedges) and hedges of net investments in foreign operations (net investment hedges). The designated portion of the hedging 
instruments is included in other financial assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The effectiveness of such hedges is 
assessed at inception and at least on a quarterly basis, using prospective testing. Methods used for testing effectiveness include dollar 
offset, critical terms, regression analysis and hypothetical models.

Fair value hedges are used to manage the currency and/or interest rate risks to which the fair value of certain assets and liabilities are 
exposed. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recognised in the income statement, along with any changes in the relevant fair 
value of the underlying hedged asset or liability.

 If such a hedge relationship no longer meets hedge accounting criteria, fair value movements on the derivative continue to be taken 

to the income statement while any fair value adjustments made to the underlying hedged item to that date are amortised through the 
income statement over its remaining life using the effective interest rate method.

Cash flow hedges are used to hedge the foreign currency risk of highly probable future foreign currency cash flows, as well as the 
cash flow risk from changes in exchange or interest rates. The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedges is recognised in other 
comprehensive income, while any ineffective part is recognised in the income statement. Amounts recorded in other comprehensive 
income are recycled to the income statement in the same period in which the underlying foreign currency or interest exposure affects 
the income statement.

Net investment hedges take the form of either foreign currency borrowings or derivatives. Foreign exchange differences arising on 
translation of net investments are recorded in other comprehensive income and included in the exchange reserve. Liabilities used as 
hedging instruments are revalued at closing exchange rates and the resulting gains or losses are also recognised in other comprehensive 
income to the extent that they are effective, with any ineffectiveness taken to the income statement. Foreign exchange contracts 
hedging net investments are carried at fair value. Effective fair value movements are recognised in other comprehensive income, with any 
ineffectiveness taken to the income statement.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Risk management and capital structure 

143

The group’s funding, liquidity and exposure to foreign currency and 
interest rate risks are managed by the group’s treasury department. 
The treasury department uses a range of financial instruments to 
manage these underlying risks.

Treasury operations are conducted within a framework of board 

approved policies and guidelines, which are recommended and 
monitored by the finance committee, chaired by the Chief Financial 
Officer. The policies and guidelines include benchmark exposure 
and/or hedge cover levels for key areas of treasury risk which are 
periodically reviewed by the Board following, for example, significant 
business, strategic or accounting changes. The framework provides 
for limited defined levels of flexibility in execution to allow for the 
optimal application of the board approved strategies. Transactions 
arising from the application of this flexibility are carried at fair value, 
gains or losses are taken to the income statement as they arise and 
are separately monitored on a daily basis using Value at Risk analysis. 
In the years ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018 gains and losses 
on these transactions were not material. The group does not use 
derivatives for speculative purposes. All transactions in derivative 
financial instruments are initially undertaken to manage the risks 
arising from underlying business activities.

The group purchases insurance for commercial or, where 
required, for legal or contractual reasons. In addition, the group 
retains insurable risk where external insurance is not considered an 
economic means of mitigating these risks.

The finance committee receives a monthly report on the 
key activities of the treasury department, which would identify 
any exposures which differ from the defined benchmarks, 
should they arise.

(a) Currency risk 
The group presents its consolidated financial statements in sterling 
and conducts business in many currencies. As a result, it is subject 
to foreign currency risk due to exchange rate movements, which 
will affect the group’s transactions and the translation of the results 
and underlying net assets of its operations. To manage the currency 
risk the group uses certain financial instruments. Where hedge 
accounting is applied, hedges are documented and tested for 
effectiveness on an ongoing basis. Diageo expects hedges entered 
into to continue to be effective and therefore does not expect the 
impact of ineffectiveness on the consolidated income statement to 
be material. 

Hedge of net investment in foreign operations 
The group hedges a certain portion of its exposure to fluctuations 
in the sterling value of its foreign operations by designating 
borrowings held in foreign currencies and using foreign currency 
spots, forwards, swaps and other financial derivatives. For the year 
ended 30 June 2019 the group’s guidance was to maintain total net 
investment Value at Risk to total Net Asset value below 20%, where 
Value at Risk is defined as the maximum amount of loss over a one-
year period with a 95% probability confidence level. 

At 30 June 2019 foreign currency borrowings and financial 
derivatives designated in net investment hedge relationships 
amounted to £4,001 million (2018 – £5,238 million). 

Hedge of foreign currency debt 
The group uses cross currency interest rate swaps to hedge the 
foreign currency risk associated with certain foreign currency 
denominated borrowings. 

Transaction exposure hedging 
The group’s policy is to hedge up to 24 months forecast transactional 
foreign currency risk on the net US dollar exposure of the group 
targeting 75% coverage for the current financial year and up to 18 
months for other currency pairs. The group’s exposure to foreign 
currency risk arising principally on forecasted sales transactions is 
managed using forward agreements and options. 

(b) Interest rate risk 
The group has an exposure to interest rate risk, arising principally 
on changes in US dollar, euro and sterling interest rates. To manage 
interest rate risk, the group manages its proportion of fixed to floating 
rate borrowings within limits approved by the Board, primarily 
through issuing fixed and floating rate borrowings and commercial 
paper, and by utilising interest rate swaps. These practices aim to 
minimise the group’s net finance charges with acceptable year 
on year volatility. To facilitate operational efficiency and effective 
hedge accounting, the group’s policy is to maintain fixed rate 
borrowings within a band of 40% to 60% of forecast net borrowings. 
For these calculations, net borrowings exclude interest rate related 
fair value adjustments. The majority of the group’s existing interest 
rate derivatives are designated as hedges and are expected to be 
effective. Fair value of these derivatives is recognised in the income 
statement, along with any changes in the relevant fair value of the 
underlying hedged asset or liability. The group’s net borrowings 
interest rate profile as at 30 June 2019 and 2018 is as follows: 

Fixed rate
Floating rate(i)
Impact of financial 
derivatives 
and fair value 
adjustments
Net borrowings

£ million

6,181
5,199

2019

%

55
46

£ million

4,739
4,245

(103)
11,277

(1)
100

107
9,091

2018

%

52
47

1
100

(i)  The floating rate portion of net borrowings includes cash and cash equivalents, collaterals, floating 

rate loans and bonds, bank overdrafts and finance lease obligations. 

The table below sets out the average monthly net borrowings and 
effective interest rate: 

Average monthly net borrowings

Effective interest rate

2019
£ million

10,393

2018
£ million

9,063

2017
£ million

8,771

2019
%

2.4

2018
%

2.6

2017
%

3.5

(1)  For this calculation, net interest charge excludes fair value adjustments to derivative financial 

instruments and borrowings and average monthly net borrowings includes the impact of interest 
rate swaps that are no longer in a hedge relationship but excludes the market value adjustment 
for cross currency interest rate swaps. 

(c) Commodity price risk 
Commodity price risk is managed in line with the principles approved 
by the Board either through long-term purchase contracts with 
suppliers or, where appropriate, derivative contracts. The group 
policy is to maintain the Value at Risk of commodity price risk arisen 
from commodity exposures below 75 bps of forecast gross margin 
in any given financial year. Where derivative contracts are used 
the commodity price risk exposure is hedged up to 24 months of 
forecast volume through exchange-traded and over-the-counter 
contracts (futures, forwards and swaps) and cash flow hedge 
accounting is applied. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS144 

(d) Market risk sensitivity analysis 
The group uses a sensitivity analysis that estimates the impacts on the consolidated income statement and other comprehensive income of 
either an instantaneous increase or decrease of 0.5% in market interest rates or a 10% strengthening or weakening in sterling against all other 
currencies, from the rates applicable at 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018, for each class of financial instruments with all other variables remaining 
constant. The sensitivity analysis excludes the impact of market risks on the net post employment benefit liabilities and assets, and corporate 
tax payable. This analysis is for illustrative purposes only, as in practice interest and foreign exchange rates rarely change in isolation. 

The sensitivity analysis estimates the impact of changes in interest and foreign exchange rates. All hedges are expected to be highly 
effective for this analysis and it considers the impact of all financial instruments including financial derivatives, cash and cash equivalents, 
borrowings and other financial assets and liabilities. The results of the sensitivity analysis should not be considered as projections of likely 
future events, gains or losses as actual results in the future may differ materially due to developments in the global financial markets which 
may cause fluctuations in interest and exchange rates to vary from the hypothetical amounts disclosed in the table below. 

0.5% decrease in interest rates
0.5% increase in interest rates
10% weakening of sterling
10% strengthening of sterling

Impact on income 
 statement  
gain/(loss)

Impact on consolidated 
comprehensive income
gain/(loss)(i) (ii)

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

(27)
27
(17)
14

(19)
19
(15)
11

(15)
16
(1,001)
805

(18)
19
(833)
680

(i)  The impact on foreign currency borrowings and derivatives in net investment hedges is largely offset by the foreign exchange difference arising on the translation of net investments. 
(ii)  The impact on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income includes the impact on the income statement. 

(e) Credit risk 
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the group. Credit risk arises 
on cash balances (including bank deposits and cash and cash equivalents), derivative financial instruments and credit exposures to customers, 
including outstanding loans, trade and other receivables, financial guarantees and committed transactions. 

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the group’s exposure to credit risk at the balance sheet date as disclosed in section (i), 
excluding the impact of any collateral held or other credit enhancements. A financial asset is in default when the counterparty fails to pay its 
contractual obligations. Financial assets are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. 

Credit risk is managed separately for financial and business related credit exposures. 

Financial credit risk 
Diageo aims to minimise its financial credit risk through the application of risk management policies approved and monitored by the Board. 
Counterparties are predominantly limited to major banks and financial institutions, primarily with a long-term credit rating within the A band 
or better, and the policy restricts the exposure to any one counterparty by setting credit limits taking into account the credit quality of the 
counterparty. The group’s policy is designed to ensure that individual counterparty limits are adhered to and that there are no significant 
concentrations of credit risk. The Board also defines the types of financial instruments which may be transacted. The credit risk arising through 
the use of financial instruments for currency and interest rate risk management is estimated with reference to the fair value of contracts 
with a positive value, rather than the notional amount of the instruments themselves. Diageo annually reviews the credit limits applied and 
regularly monitors the counterparties’ credit quality reflecting market credit conditions. 

When derivative transactions are undertaken with bank counterparties, the group may, where appropriate, enter into certain agreements 

with such bank counterparties whereby the parties agree to post cash collateral for the benefit of the other if the net valuations of the 
derivatives are above a predetermined threshold. At 30 June 2019, the collateral held under these agreements amounted to $152 million 
(£120 million) (2018 – $71 million (£54 million)). 

Business related credit risk 
Loan, trade and other receivables exposures are managed locally in the operating units where they arise and active risk management is 
applied, focusing on country risk, credit limits, ongoing credit evaluation and monitoring procedures. There is no significant concentration of 
credit risk with respect to loans, trade and other receivables as the group has a large number of customers which are internationally dispersed. 

(f) Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is the risk that Diageo may encounter difficulties in meeting its obligations associated with financial liabilities that are settled 
by delivering cash or other financial assets. The group uses short-term commercial paper to finance its day-to-day operations. The group’s 
policy with regard to the expected maturity profile of borrowings is to limit the amount of such borrowings maturing within 12 months to 
50% of gross borrowings less money market demand deposits, and the level of commercial paper to 30% of gross borrowings less money 
market demand deposits. In addition, the group’s policy is to maintain backstop facilities with relationship banks to support commercial 
paper obligations. 

The following tables provide an analysis of the anticipated contractual cash flows including interest payable for the group’s financial 
liabilities and derivative instruments on an undiscounted basis. Where interest payments are calculated at a floating rate, rates of each cash 
flow until maturity of the instruments are calculated based on the forward yield curve prevailing at the respective year ends. The gross cash 
flows of cross currency swaps are presented for the purposes of this table. All other derivative contracts are presented on a net basis. Financial 
assets and liabilities are presented gross in the consolidated balance sheet although, in practice, the group uses netting arrangements to 
reduce its liquidity requirements on these instruments. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Contractual cash flows 

2019
Borrowings(i)
Interest on borrowings(i), (iii)
Finance lease capital repayments
Finance lease future interest payments
Trade and other financial liabilities(ii)
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Cross currency swaps (gross)
– Receivable
– Payable
Other derivative instruments (net)
Derivative instruments(iii)
2018
Borrowings(i)
Interest on borrowings(i), (iii)
Finance lease capital repayments
Finance lease future interest payments
Trade and other financial liabilities(ii)
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Cross currency swaps (gross)
– Receivable
– Payable
Other derivative instruments (net)
Derivative instruments(iii)

Financial statements of the group:  
Risk management and capital structure 

145

Due within
1 year
£ million

Due between
1 and 3 years
£ million

Due between
3 and 5 years
£ million

Due after
5 years
£ million

(1,957)
(363)
(43)
(5)
(3,305)
(5,673)

63
(41)
70
92

(1,828)
(341)
(30)
(7)
(3,117)
(5,323)

60
(41)
(1)
18

(2,942)
(489)
(43)
(7)
(233)
(3,714)

125
(82)
27
70

(2,055)
(472)
(66)
(9)
(28)
(2,630)

121
(83)
(30)
8

(2,845)
(368)
(33)
(3)
(3)
(3,252)

854
(811)
30
73

(2,117)
(382)
(34)
(5)
(1)
(2,539)

840
(824)
(2)
14

(4,748)
(1,362)
(9)
 –
(11)
(6,130)

1,503
(1,042)
18
479

(3,950)
(1,385)
(25)
(1)
(230)
(5,591)

1,487
(1,070)
5
422

Total
£ million

(12,492)
(2,582)
(128)
(15)
(3,552)
(18,769)

2,545
(1,976)
145
714

(9,950)
(2,580)
(155)
(22)
(3,376)
(16,083)

2,508
(2,018)
(28)
462

Carrying
amount at
balance
sheet date
£ million

(12,555)
(124)
(128)
–
(3,524)
(16,331)

–
–
–
400

(9,902)
(100)
(155)
–
(3,318)
(13,475)

–
–
–
90

(i)  For the purpose of these tables above, borrowings are defined as gross borrowings excluding finance lease liabilities and fair value of derivative instruments as disclosed in note 16. 
(ii)  Primarily consists of trade and other payables that meet the definition of financial liabilities under IAS 32. 
(iii) Carrying amount of interest on borrowings and interest on derivatives and interest on other payable is included within interest payable in note 14. 

The group had available undrawn committed bank facilities as follows: 

Expiring within one year
Expiring between one and two years
Expiring after two years

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

–
–
2,756
2,756

788
–
1,864
2,652

The facilities can be used for general corporate purposes and, 
together with cash and cash equivalents, support the group’s 
commercial paper programmes.

There are no financial covenants on the group’s material short- 
and long-term borrowings. Certain of these borrowings contain cross 
default provisions and negative pledges.

The committed bank facilities are subject to a single financial 
covenant, being minimum interest cover ratio of two times (defined 
as the ratio of operating profit before exceptional items, aggregated 
with share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures, to net 
interest). They are also subject to pari passu ranking and negative 
pledge covenants.

Any non-compliance with covenants underlying Diageo’s 
financing arrangements could, if not waived, constitute an event 
of default with respect to any such arrangements, and any non-
compliance with covenants may, in particular circumstances, lead to 
an acceleration of maturity on certain borrowings and the inability 
to access committed facilities. Diageo was in full compliance with 
its financial, pari passu ranking and negative pledge covenants in 
respect of its material short and long-term borrowings throughout 
each of the years presented.

(g) Fair value measurements 
Fair value measurements of financial instruments are presented 
through the use of a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritises the 
valuation techniques used in fair value calculations. 

The group maintains policies and procedures to value instruments 

using the most relevant data available. If multiple inputs that fall 
into different levels of the hierarchy are used in the valuation of an 
instrument, the instrument is categorised on the basis of the most 
subjective input. 

Foreign currency forwards and swaps, cross currency swaps and 
interest rate swaps are valued using discounted cash flow techniques. 
These techniques incorporate inputs at levels 1 and 2, such as foreign 
exchange rates and interest rates. These market inputs are used in 
the discounted cash flow calculation incorporating the instrument’s 
term, notional amount and discount rate, and taking credit risk 
into account. As significant inputs to the valuation are observable 
in active markets, these instruments are categorised as level 2 in 
the hierarchy. 

Other financial liabilities include a put option, which does not 
have an expiry date, held by Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala (ILG) 
to sell the remaining 50% equity stake in Rum Creations & Products 
Inc, the owner of the Zacapa rum brand, to Diageo. The liability 
is fair valued and as at 30 June 2019 an amount of £174 million 
(30 June 2018 – £164 million) is recognised as a liability with changes 
in fair value included in retained earnings. As the valuation of 
this option uses assumptions not observable in the market, it is 
categorised as level 3 in the hierarchy. As at 30 June 2019 because 
it is unknown when or if ILG will exercise the option the liability is 
measured as if the exercise date is on the last day of the next financial 
year considering forecast future performance.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS146 

The option is sensitive to reasonably possible changes in assumptions. If the option were to be exercised as at 30 June 2021, the fair value of the 
liability would increase by approximately £17 million.

The group’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorised as follows: 

Derivative assets
Derivative liabilities
Valuation techniques based on observable market input (Level 2)
Financial assets – other
Financial liabilities – other
Valuation techniques based on unobservable market input (Level 3)

(i)  Restated to include contingent consideration of £188 million recognised on acquisitions of businesses.

The movements in level 3 instruments, measured on a recurring basis, are as follows: 

2019 
£ million

2019
£ million
531
(129)
402
86
(401)
(315)

2018
(restated(i))
£ million
217
(123)
94
89
(352)
(263)

2018 
£ million

At 1 July

Net losses included in the income statement

Net (losses)/gains included in exchange in other comprehensive income

Net (losses)/gains included in retained earnings
Additions
Settlement of liabilities
At 30 June

Contingent consideration 
on acquisition of 
businesses
(188)

Put option
(164)

Contingent consideration 
on acquisition of 
businesses
–

Put option
(183)

(8)

(8)

(3)
–
9
(174)

(25)

(8)

–
(15)
9
(227)

–

3

7
–
9
(164)

(7)

3

–
(184)
–
(188)

In the year ended 30 June 2019 the £3 million (30 June 2018 – £50 million) movement in financial assets – other instruments is mainly due 
to additions and advances promised to associates recognised only when targets are achieved. 

There were no transfers between levels during the two years ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018. 

(h) Results of hedge relationships 
The group targets a one-to-one hedge ratio. Strengths of the economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument 
is analysed on an ongoing basis. Ineffectiveness can arise from subsequent change in the forecast transactions as a result of timing, cash flows 
or value except when the critical terms of the hedging instrument and hedged item are closely aligned. The change in the credit risk of the 
hedging instruments or the hedged items is not expected to be the primary factor in the economic relationship. 

The notional amounts, contractual maturities and rates of the hedging instruments designated in hedging relationships as of 30 June 2019 

by the main risk categories are as follows: 

Notional amounts 
£ million

Maturity

Range of hedged rates

2019
Net investment hedges
Derivatives in net investment hedges of foreign operations
Cash flow hedges
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign currency debt)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign exchange risk)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (commodity price risk)

Fair value hedges
Derivatives in fair value hedge (interest rate risk)
2018
Net investment hedges
Derivatives in net investment hedges of foreign operations
Cash flow hedges
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign currency debt)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign exchange risk)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (commodity price risk)

Fair value hedges
Derivatives in fair value hedge (interest rate risk)

68

1,614
1,599
97

4,063

1,068

1,553
1,197
30

3,597

July 2019

Turkish lira 7.55

April 2023-April 2043
September 2019-February 2021
July 2019-May 2021

US dollar 1.22-1.88
US dollar 1.28-1.47, euro 1.08-1.15
Wheat 148.75-171 GBP/t,  
Aluminium 1971-2204 USD/MT

May 2020-May 2028

(0.01)-3.09%

July 2018

US dollar 1.32

April 2023-April 2043
September 2018-December 2019
July 2018-March 2020

US dollar 1.22-1.88
US dollar 1.24-1.47, euro 1.06-1.18
Corn 152.76-164.17 USD/t,  
Aluminium 2058.75-2204 USD/MT

July 2018-May 2028

(0.26)-3.09%

For hedges of the cash flow risk from a change in forward exchange rates using cross currency interest rate swaps, the retranslation of the 
related bond principal to closing exchange rates and recognition of interest on the related bonds will affect the income statement in each year 
until the related bonds mature in 2023, 2036 and 2043. Exchange retranslation and the interest on the hedged bonds in the income statement 
are expected to offset those on the cross currency swaps in each of the years. 

In respect of cash flow hedging instruments, a gain of £79 million (2018 – £57 million loss; 2017 – £29 million loss) has been recognised in 
other comprehensive income due to changes in fair value. A loss of £45 million has been transferred out of other comprehensive income to 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Risk management and capital structure 

147

other operating expenses and a gain of £82 million to other finance charges, respectively (2018 – a gain of £7 million and a loss of £6 million; 
2017 – a loss of £143 million and a gain of £42 million) to offset the foreign exchange impact on the underlying transactions. 
For cash flow hedges of forecast transactions at 30 June 2019, based on year end interest and exchange rates, there is expected to be a loss 
to the income statement of £44 million in the year ending 30 June 2020 and a loss of £13 million in the year ending 30 June 2021. 

For hedges, that are no longer applicable at 30 June 2019, a loss of £20 million (2018 – a loss of £21 million) in respect of hedges of foreign 
currency borrowings is reported in reserves. There was no significant ineffectiveness on net investment and cash flow hedges during the year 
ended 30 June 2019. 

The gain on fair value hedging instruments for the year was £119 million (2018 – a loss of £12 million) and the loss on the hedged item 
attributable to the hedged risk was £120 million (2018 – a gain of £12 million). At 30 June 2019 the accumulated fair value changes on the 
hedged items is £103 million (2018 – £17 million). 

(i) Reconciliation of financial instruments 
The table below sets out the group’s accounting classification of each class of financial assets and liabilities: 

Fair value 
through income  
statement  
£ million

Fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income 
£ million

Assets and 
liabilities at 
amortised cost 
£ million

Not categorised 
as a financial  
instrument  
£ million

Total 
£ million

Current 
£ million

Non-current 
£ million

2019
Other investments and loans(i)
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivatives in fair value hedge (interest rate risk)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign currency debt)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign currency 

exchange risk)
Other instruments
Total other financial assets
Total financial assets
Borrowings(ii)
Trade and other payables
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign currency debt)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign currency 

exchange risk)

Derivatives in cash flow hedge (commodity price risk)
Derivatives in net investment hedge
Other instruments
Finance leases
Total other financial liabilities
Total financial liabilities
Total net financial assets/(liabilities)
2018
Other investments and loans(i)
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivatives in fair value hedge (interest rate risk)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign currency debt)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign currency 

exchange risk)

Derivatives in net investment hedge
Other instruments at fair value
Total other financial assets
Total financial assets
Borrowings(ii)
Trade and other payables(iii)
Derivatives in fair value hedge (interest rate risk)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign currency debt)
Derivatives in cash flow hedge (foreign currency 

exchange risk)

Derivatives in net investment hedge
Other instruments at fair value
Finance leases
Total other financial liabilities
Total financial liabilities
Total net financial liabilities

67
–
–
104
283

1
143
531
598
–
(227)
(12)

(58)
(9)
(1)
(223)
–
(303)
(530)
68

89
–
–
7
160

9
1
40
217
306
–
(188)
(22)
(48)

(25)
(4)
(188)
–
(287)
(475)
(169)

19
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
19
–
–
–

–
–
 –
–
–
–
–
19

–
–
–
–
 –

 –
 –
–
–
–
–
–
–
 –

 –
 –
–
–
–
–
–

16
2,385
932
–
–

–
–
–
3,333
(12,555)
(3,251)
–

–
–
–
(26)
(128)
(154)
(15,960)
(12,627)

14
2,429
874
–
–

–
–
–
–
3,317
(9,902)
(3,070)
–
–

–
–
–
(155)
(155)
(13,127)
(9,810)

2
362
–
–
–

–
–
–
364
–
(946)
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
(946)
(582)

2
295
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
297
–
(901)
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
(901)
(604)

104
2,747
932
104
283

1
143
531
4,314
(12,555)
(4,424)
(12)

(58)
(9)
(1)
(249)
(128)
(457)
(17,436)
(13,122)

105
2,724
874
7
160

9
1
40
217
3,920
(9,902)
(4,159)
(22)
(48)

(25)
(4)
(188)
(155)
(442)
(14,503)
(10,583)

–
2,694
932
2
–

1
124
127
3,753
(1,959)
(4,202)
–

(41)
(9)
(1)
(239)
(43)
(333)
(6,494)
(2,741)

–
2,678
874
–
–

9
1
25
35
3,587
(1,828)
(3,950)
–
–

(9)
(4)
(186)
(31)
(230)
(6,008)
(2,421)

104
53
–
102
283

 –
19
404
561
(10,596)
(222)
(12)

(17)
–
–
(10)
(85)
(124)
(10,942)
(10,381)

105
46
–
7
160

–
–
15
182
333
(8,074)
(209)
(22)
(48)

(16)
–
(2)
(124)
(212)
(8,495)
(8,162)

(i)  Other investments and loans are including those in respect of associates.
(ii)  Borrowings are defined as gross borrowings excluding finance lease liabilities and the fair value of derivative instruments. 
(iii)  Restated to include contingent consideration of £188 million recognised on the acquisition of businesses within the fair value through income statement class, which was presented under the assets and 

liabilities at amortised cost class in the 2018 Annual Report.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS148 

At 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018, the carrying values of cash and 
cash equivalents, other financial assets and liabilities approximate 
to fair values. At 30 June 2019 the fair value of borrowings, based 
on unadjusted quoted market data, was £13,240 million (2018 – 
£10,304 million). 

(j) Capital management 
The group’s management is committed to enhancing shareholder 
value in the long-term, both by investing in the business and brands 
so as to deliver continued improvement in the return from those 
investments and by managing the capital structure. Diageo manages 
its capital structure to achieve capital efficiency, provide flexibility 
to invest through the economic cycle and give efficient access to 
debt markets at attractive cost levels. This is achieved by targeting 
an adjusted net borrowings (net borrowings aggregated with post 
employment benefit liabilities) to adjusted EBITDA leverage of 2.5 – 
3.0 times, this range for Diageo being currently broadly consistent 
with an A band credit rating. Diageo would consider operating 
outside of this range in order to effect strategic initiatives within its 
stated goals, which could have an impact on its rating. If Diageo’s 
leverage was to be negatively impacted by the financing of an 
acquisition, it would seek over time to return to the range of 2.5 – 3.0 
times. The group regularly assesses its debt and equity capital levels 
against its stated policy for capital structure. As at 30 June 2019 the 
adjusted net borrowings (£12,123 million) to adjusted EBITDA ratio 
was 2.5 times. For this calculation net borrowings are adjusted by 
post employment benefit liabilities (£846 million) whilst adjusted 
EBITDA (£4,802 million) comprises operating profit excluding 
exceptional operating items and depreciation, amortisation and 
impairment and includes share of after tax results of associates and 
joint ventures. 

16. Net borrowings

Accounting policies
Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value net of transaction 
costs and are subsequently reported at amortised cost. Certain 
bonds are designated as being part of a fair value hedge 
relationship. In these cases, the amortised cost is adjusted for 
the fair value of the risk being hedged, with changes in value 
recognised in the income statement. The fair value adjustment 
is calculated using a discounted cash flow technique based on 
unadjusted market data. 

Bank overdrafts form an integral part of the group’s cash 
management and are included as a component of net cash and 
cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and deposits 

which are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and 
which are subject to insignificant risk of changes in value and have 
an original maturity of three months or less, including money 
market deposits, commercial paper and investments.

Net borrowings are defined as gross borrowings (short-term 
borrowings and long-term borrowings plus finance lease liabilities 
plus interest rate hedging instruments, cross currency interest rate 
swaps and funding foreign currency forwards and swaps used to 
manage borrowings) less cash and cash equivalents.

Bank overdrafts
Commercial paper
Bank and other loans
Credit support obligations
€ 500 million 1.125% bonds due 2019
€ 850 million 1.125% bonds due 2019

US$ 500 million 2.565% bonds due 2020

US$ 500 million 3% bonds due 2020

Fair value adjustment to borrowings
Borrowings due within one year
US$ 500 million floating bonds due 2020
US$ 500 million 3% bonds due 2020
€ 775 million 0% bonds due 2020
US$ 696 million 4.828% bonds due 2020
€ 900 million 0.25% bonds due 2021
US$ 1,000 million 2.875% bonds due 2022(i)
US$ 300 million 8% bonds due 2022(i)
US$ 1,350 million 2.625% bonds due 2023
€ 600 million 0.125% bonds due 2023
US$ 500 million 3.5% bonds due 2023
€ 500 million 1.75% bonds due 2024
€ 500 million 0.5% bonds due 2024
€ 600 million 1% bonds due 2025
€ 850 million 2.375% bonds due 2026
£ 500 million 1.75% bonds due 2026
€ 500 million 1.5% bonds due 2027
US$ 500 million 3.875% bonds due 2028
US$ 400 million 7.45% bonds due 2035(i)
US$ 600 million 5.875% bonds due 2036
US$ 500 million 4.25% bonds due 2042(i)
US$ 500 million 3.875% bonds due 2043
Bank and other loans
Fair value adjustment to borrowings
Borrowings due after one year
Total borrowings before derivative financial 

instruments

Fair value of foreign currency derivatives
Fair value of interest rate hedging instruments
Finance lease liabilities
Gross borrowings
Less: Cash and cash equivalents
Net borrowings

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

211
649
190
120
–
–

394

393

2
1,959
 –
 –
691
538
802
785
235
1,060
533
393
444
443
531
755
496
445
391
315
468
389
387
373
122
10,596

12,555
(370)
(104)
128
12,209
(932)
11,277

181
98
300
54
444
751

 –

 –

 –
1,828
378
378
685
508
–
755
226
1,020
–
377
440
439
–
747
–
–
376
303
450
374
372
234
12
8,074

9,902
(107)
15
155
9,965
(874)
9,091

(i)  SEC-registered debt issued on an unsecured basis by Diageo Investment Corporation, a 100% 

owned finance subsidiary of Diageo plc.

(1)  The interest rates shown are those contracted on the underlying borrowings before taking into 

account any interest rate hedges (see note 15).

(2)  Bonds are stated net of unamortised finance costs of £63 million (2018 – £60 million; 2017 – 

£61 million).

(3)  Bonds are reported above at amortised cost with a fair value adjustment shown separately.
(4)  All bonds, medium-term notes and commercial paper issued on an unsecured basis by the 

group’s 100% owned subsidiaries are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis 
by Diageo plc.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Risk management and capital structure 

149

17. Equity

Accounting policies
Own shares represent shares and share options of Diageo plc 
that are held in treasury or by employee share trusts for the 
purpose of fulfilling obligations in respect of various employee 
share plans or were acquired as part of a share buyback 
programme. Own shares are treated as a deduction from equity 
until the shares are cancelled, reissued or disposed of and when 
vest are transferred from own shares to retained earnings at their 
weighted average cost.

Share-based payments include share awards and options 
granted to directors and employees. The fair value of equity 
settled share options and share grants is initially measured at 
grant date based on the binomial or Monte Carlo models and is 
charged to the income statement over the vesting period. For 
equity settled shares the credit is included in retained earnings. 
Cancellations of share options are treated as an acceleration of 
the vesting period and any outstanding charge is recognised in 
operating profit immediately. Any surplus or deficit arising on the 
sale of the Diageo plc shares held by the group is included as 
a movement in equity.

Dividends are included in the financial statements in the year 

in which they are approved.

(a) Allotted and fully paid share capital – ordinary shares of 28101⁄108 
pence each 

At 30 June 2019

At 30 June 2018

At 30 June 2017

(b) Hedging and exchange reserve

Number
of shares
million

2,601

2,695

2,754

Nominal
value
£ million

753

780

797

At 30 June 2016
Other comprehensive income
At 30 June 2017
Other comprehensive income
Adoption of IFRS 9 by associate
At 30 June 2018
Other comprehensive income
At 30 June 2019

Hedging  
reserve  
£ million

Exchange 
reserve  
£ million

Total 
£ million

(90)
69
(21)
(44)
(3)
(68)
31
(37)

(431)
(1)
(432)
(530)
–
(962)
181
(781)

(521)
68
(453)
(574)
(3)
(1,030)
212
(818)

Gross borrowings before derivative financial instruments are 
expected to mature as follows:

Within one year
Between one and three years
Between three and five years
Beyond five years

2019
£ million

1,959
2,940
2,879
4,777
12,555

2018
£ million

1,828
2,033
2,111
3,930
9,902

During the year the following bonds were issued and repaid:

Issued
€ denominated
£ denominated
US$ denominated
Repaid
€ denominated
US$ denominated

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

2,270
496
–

(1,168)
–
1,598

1,136
–
1,476

–
(1,571)
1,041

–
–
–

–
(1,234)
(1,234)

(a) Reconciliation of movement in net borrowings

At beginning of the year
Net (increase)/decrease in cash and cash 

equivalents before exchange

Net increase in bonds and other borrowings(i)
Change in net borrowings from cash flows
Exchange differences on net borrowings
Other non-cash items(ii)
Net borrowings at end of the year

2019
£ million

9,091

2018
£ million

7,892

(54)
2,331
2,277
22
(113)
11,277

185
1,015
1,200
(80)
79
9,091

(i) 

In the year ended 30 June 2019, net increase in bonds and other borrowings excludes £12 million 
cash outflow in respect of derivatives designated in forward point hedges (2018 – £nil).

(ii)  In the years ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018 other non-cash items are principally in respect 

of changes in the fair value of borrowings.

(b) Analysis of net borrowings by currency

2019

2018

Cash and cash 
equivalents  
£ million

Gross 
borrowings(i) 
£ million

Cash and cash 
equivalents  
£ million

Gross
borrowings(i)
£ million

US dollar
Euro
Sterling(ii)
Indian rupee
Kenyan shilling
Turkish lira(ii)
Mexican peso

Australian dollar
Chinese yuan
Other
Total

88
70
40
23
79
129
16

 –
249
238
932

525
(2,910)
(9,308)
(247)
(223)
(84)
(78)

(49)
9
156
(12,209)

95
91
38
25
16
105
13

 –
293
198
874

297
(2,505)
(7,383)
(313)
(107)
(9)
(58)

130
(160)
143
(9,965)

Includes foreign currency forwards and swaps and finance leases.

(i) 
(ii)  Includes £nil (sterling) and £122 million (Turkish lira) cash and cash equivalents in cash-pooling 

arrangements (2018 – £13 million (sterling) and £87 million (Turkish lira)).

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS150 

(c) Own shares 
Movements in own shares 

At 30 June 2016
Share trust arrangements
Shares purchased employee share plans
Shares used to satisfy options
At 30 June 2017
Share trust arrangements
Shares purchased employee share plans
Shares used to satisfy options
Shares purchased – share buyback 

programme
Shares cancelled
At 30 June 2018
Share trust arrangements
Shares used to satisfy options
Shares purchased – share buyback 

programme
Shares cancelled
At 30 June 2019

Number 
of shares  
million

Purchase 
consideration  
£ million

244
(3)
5
(5)
241
(1)
2
(4)

59
(59)
238
(1)
(5)

95
(95)
232

2,189
(32)
101
(82)
2,176
(9)
66
(89)

1,507
(1,507)
2,144
(14)
(104)

2,775
(2,775)
2,026

During the year ended 30 June 2019 the company purchased 
call options over 4 million shares at a cost of £14 million to hedge 
employee share awards and share option grants. These are three-year 
call options, denominated in sterling. 

Share trust arrangements 
At 30 June 2019 the employee share trusts owned 3 million of 
ordinary shares in Diageo plc at a cost of £58 million and market 
value of £92 million (2018 – 4 million shares at a cost of £72 million, 
market value £106 million; 2017 – 5 million shares at a cost of 
£81 million, market value £107 million). Dividends receivable by the 
employee share trusts on the shares are waived and the trustee 
abstains from voting. 

Purchase of own shares 
Authorisation was given by shareholders on 20 September 2018 to 
purchase a maximum of 246,118,306 shares at a minimum price of 
28101/108 pence and a maximum price of higher of (a) 105% of the 
average of the middle market quotations for an ordinary share for the 
five preceding business days and (b) the higher of the price of the 
last independent trade and the highest current independent bid on 
the London Stock Exchange at the time the purchase is carried out. 
The programme expires at the conclusion of the next Annual General 
Meeting or on 19 December 2019 if earlier.

During the year ended 30 June 2018, as part of the employee 
share schemes, the company purchased 2.5 million ordinary shares, 
nominal value of £1 million (2017 – 5 million ordinary shares, nominal 
value of £1 million), representing approximately 0.1% (2017 – 0.2%) of 
the issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares). 

In the year ended 30 June 2019 the group purchased 94.7 million 

ordinary shares (2018 – 58.9 million), representing approximately 
3.5% of the issued ordinary share capital (2018 – 2.1%) at an average 
price of £29.24 per share, and an aggregate cost of £2,775 million 
(including £6 million of transaction costs) (2018 – £25.43 per 
share, and an aggregate cost of £1,507 million including £9 million 
of transaction costs) under share buyback programmes. The 

programme completed on 10 July 2019 resulting in the repurchase 
of an additional 0.3 million shares at an average price of £33.73, and 
an aggregate cost of £26 million (including £17 million settlement 
payments for the full tranche) recognised as a financial liability 
at 30 June 2019. The shares purchased under the share buyback 
programmes were cancelled.

The monthly breakdown of all shares purchased and the average 

price paid per share (excluding expenses) for the year ended 
30 June 2019 were as follows: 

Calendar month

August 2018
September 2018
October 2018
November 2018
December 2018
January 2019
February 2019
March 2019
April 2019
May 2019

June 2019

Total

(d) Dividends 

Total number 
of shares 
purchased

Average 
price paid  
pence

Number
of shares
purchased 
under share 
buyback 
programme

5,500,453
8,965,815
11,731,281
11,421,897
8,859,766
1,344,885
96,000
22,646,246
11,631,712
8,810,782

5,500,453
8,965,815
11,731,281
11,421,897
8,859,766
1,344,885
96,000
22,646,246
11,631,712
8,810,782

Authorised 
purchases  
unutilised at  
month end

240,617,853
231,652,038
219,920,757
208,498,860
199,639,094
198,294,209
198,198,209
175,551,963
163,920,251
155,109,469

151,409,441

2775
2679
2660
2747
2822
2734
2835
3033
3131
3247

3343

3,700,028

3,700,028

94,708,865

94,708,865

2924 151,409,441

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

Amounts recognised as 

distributions to equity 
shareholders in the year

Final dividend for the year ended 

30 June 2018

40.4 pence per share (2017 – 38.5 
pence; 2016 – 36.6 pence)
Interim dividend for the year 

ended 30 June 2019

26.1 pence per share (2018 – 24.9 
pence; 2017 – 23.7 pence)

993

968

920

630
1,623

613
1,581

595
1,515

The proposed final dividend of £1,006 million (42.47 pence per 
share) for the year ended 30 June 2019 was approved by the Board 
of Directors on 25 July 2019. As this was after the balance sheet date 
and the dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting, this dividend has not been included as a liability in 
these consolidated financial statements. There are no corporate tax 
consequences arising from this treatment. 

Dividends are waived on all treasury shares owned by the 
company and all shares owned by the employee share trusts. 

(e) Non-controlling interests 
Diageo consolidates USL, a company incorporated in India, with 
a 43.91% non-controlling interest and has a 50% controlling interest in 
Ketel One Worldwide B.V. (Ketel One), a company incorporated in the 
Netherlands. All other consolidated subsidiaries are fully owned or 
the non-controlling interests are not material. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Risk management and capital structure 

151

Summarised financial information for USL, Ketel One and others, after fair value adjustments on acquisition, and the amounts attributable 
to non-controlling interests are as follows: 

Income statement
Sales
Net sales
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income/(loss)(i)
Total comprehensive income
Attributable to non-controlling interests
Balance sheet
Non-current assets(ii)
Current assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Net assets
Attributable to non-controlling interests
Cash flow
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Net cash (outflow) from investing activities
Net cash (outflow) from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Exchange differences
Dividends payable to non-controlling interests

2019

2018

2017

USL 
£ million

Ketel One 
 and others  
£ million

Total 
£ million

Total 
£ million

Total 
£ million

3,229
1,016
78
59
137
61

2,315
587
(473)
(496)
1,933
849

109
(18)
(97)
(6)
1
–

2,117
1,640
305
78
383
173

2,998
882
(1,053)
(708)
2,119
946

433
(139)
(169)
125
2
(114)

5,346
2,656
383
137
520
234

5,313
1,469
(1,526)
(1,204)
4,052
1,795

542
(157)
(266)
119
3
(114)

4,926
2,431
244
(163)
81
53

4,973
1,384
(1,425)
(1,183)
3,749
1,765

334
(136)
(164)
34
(2)
(101)

4,844
2,412
229
116
345
148

4,975
1,222
(1,327)
(1,199)
3,671
1,715

355
(86)
(172)
97
(3)
(83)

(i)  Other comprehensive income is principally in respect of exchange on translating the subsidiaries to sterling. 
(ii)  Ketel One includes the global distribution rights to distribute Ketel One vodka products throughout the world. The carrying value of the distribution rights at 30 June 2019 was £1,418 million 

(2018 – £1,363 million; 2017 – £1,385 million). 

(1)  On 17 August 2018 Diageo acquired 20.29% of the share capital of Sichuan Shuijingfang Company Limited (SJF) which was already controlled and therefore consolidated prior to the transaction. On 9 April 

2019 Diageo completed the purchase of a further 3.14% of SJF’s share capital. These transactions took Diageo’s shareholding in SJF from 39.71% to 63.14%. 

(f) Employee share compensation 
The group uses a number of share award and option plans to grant 
to its directors and employees. 

The annual fair value charge in respect of the equity settled plans 

Share options may normally be exercised between three and ten 
years after the grant date. Executives in North America and Latin 
America and Caribbean are granted awards over the company’s ADSs 
(one ADS is equivalent to four ordinary shares). 

for the three years ended 30 June 2019 is as follows: 

Executive share award plans
Executive share option plans
Savings plans

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

41
4
4
49

33
3
3
39

28
3
3
34

Executive share awards are primarily made under the Diageo 2014 
Long Term Incentive Plan (DLTIP) from September 2014 onwards. Prior 
to the introduction of the DLTIP, employees in associated companies 
were granted awards under the Diageo plc 2011 Associated 
Companies Share Incentive Plan (DACSIP). There was a single grant 
in September 2016 under the Diageo Performance Incentive plan. 
Under all of these plans, conditional awards can be delivered in the 
form of restricted shares or share options at the market value at the 
time of grant. 

Share awards normally vest and are released on the third 

anniversary of the grant date. Participants do not make a payment to 
receive the award at grant. Executive Directors are required to hold 
any vested shares awarded from 2014 for a further two-year period. 

Performance shares under the DLTIP are subject to the 
achievement of three equally weighted performance tests: 
1) compound annual growth in profit before exceptional items 
over three years; 2) compound annual growth in organic net sales 
over three years; 3) cumulative free cash flow over a three-year 
period, measured at constant exchange rates. Shares awarded  
under the Diageo Performance Incentive plan (DPI) in September 
2016 are subject to the achievement of two equally weighted 
performance tests over the three-year performance period. 
These were: 1) compound annual growth in organic net sales 
over three years; and 2) productivity savings over three years, 
with an assessment of line manager performance as an underpin. 
Performance share options under the DLTIP are subject to the 
achievement of two equally weighted performance tests: 1) 
a comparison of Diageo’s three-year TSR with a peer group; 2) 
compound annual growth in profit before exceptional items over 
three years. Performance measures and targets are set annually by 
the Remuneration Committee. The vesting range is 20% or 25% 
(for Executive Directors and for other participants respectively) for 
achieving minimum performance targets, up to 100% for achieving 
the maximum target level. Retesting of the performance condition 
is not permitted. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS152 

For performance shares under the DLTIP dividends are accrued on 
awards and are given to participants to the extent that the awards 
actually vest at the end of the performance period. Dividends are 
normally paid out in the form of shares. 

For the three years ended 30 June 2019, the calculation of the fair 
value of each share award used the Monte Carlo pricing model and 
the following assumptions: 

Risk free interest rate
Expected life of the awards
Dividend yield
Weighted average share price
Weighted average fair value of 
awards granted in the year
Number of awards granted in 

2019

2018

2017

0.8%
37 months
2.4%
2736p

0.3%
37 months
2.6%
2573p

0.1%
36 months
3.0%
2130p

1941p

1761p

1427p

the year

2.5 million

2.3 million

3.6 million

Fair value of all awards granted in 

the year

£48 million

£41 million

£51 million

Transactions on schemes 
Transactions on the executive share award plans for the three years 
ended 30 June 2019 were as follows: 

Balance outstanding at 1 July
Granted
Exercised/awarded
Forfeited/expired
Balance outstanding at 30 June

2019
Number of
awards
million

2018
Number of
awards
million

2017
Number of
awards
million

7.8
2.5
(2.1)
(1.2)
7.0

7.9
2.3
(0.7)
(1.7)
7.8

7.2
3.6
(1.3)
(1.6)
7.9

At 30 June 2019, 3.4 million executive share options were exercisable 
at a weighted average exercise price of 1816 pence. 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Other financial information 

153

Other financial information

Introduction

This section includes additional financial information that are either required by 
the relevant accounting standards or management considers these to be material 
information for shareholders.

18. Contingent liabilities and legal proceedings

Accounting policies
Provision is made for the anticipated settlement costs of legal 
or other disputes against the group where it is considered to be 
probable that a liability exists and a reliable estimate can be made 
of the likely outcome. Where it is possible that a settlement may 
be reached or it is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the 
estimated financial effect appropriate disclosure is made but no 
provision created.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates
Judgement is necessary in assessing the likelihood that a claim 
will succeed, or a liability will arise, and an estimate to quantify the 
possible range of any settlement. Due to the inherent uncertainty 
in this evaluation process, actual losses may be different from 
the liability originally estimated. The group may be involved in 
legal proceedings in respect of which it is not possible to make 
a reliable estimate of any expected settlement, if any. In such 
cases appropriate disclosure is provided but no provision is made 
and no contingent liability is quantified.

(a) Guarantees and related matters
As of 30 June 2019, the group has no material unprovided guarantees 
or indemnities in respect of liabilities of third parties. 

(b) Acquisition of USL shares from UBHL, winding-up 
petitions against UBHL and other proceedings in relation 
to the USL transaction 
On 4 July 2013, Diageo completed its acquisition, under a share 
purchase agreement with United Breweries (Holdings) Limited 
(UBHL) and various other sellers (the SPA), of 21,767,749 shares (14.98%) 
in United Spirits Limited (USL) for a total consideration of INR 31.3 
billion (£349 million), including 10,141,437 shares (6.98%) from UBHL. 
The SPA was signed on 9 November 2012 and was part of the 
transaction announced by Diageo in relation to USL on that day (the 
Original USL Transaction). Through a series of further transactions, 
as of 2 July 2014, Diageo had a 54.78% investment in USL (excluding 
2.38% owned by the USL Benefit Trust). 

Prior to the acquisition from UBHL on 4 July 2013, the High Court 
of Karnataka (High Court) had granted leave to UBHL under sections 
536 and 537 of the Indian Companies Act 1956 (the Leave Order) to 
enable the sale by UBHL to Diageo to take place (the UBHL Share 
Sale) notwithstanding the continued existence of five winding-up 
petitions that were pending against UBHL on 9 November 2012, 
being the date of the SPA. Additional winding-up petitions have 
been brought against UBHL since 9 November 2012, and the Leave 

Order did not extend to them. At the time of the completion of 
the UBHL Share Sale, the Leave Order remained subject to review 
on appeal. However, as stated by Diageo at the time of closing on 
4 July 2013, it was considered unlikely that any appeal process in 
respect of the Leave Order would definitively conclude on a timely 
basis and, accordingly, Diageo waived the conditionality under the 
SPA relating to the absence of insolvency proceedings in relation to 
UBHL and acquired the 10,141,437 USL shares from UBHL at that time. 

Following closing of the UBHL Share Sale, appeals were 
filed by various petitioners in respect of the Leave Order. On 
20 December 2013, the division bench of the High Court set aside the 
Leave Order (the December 2013 Order). Following the December 
2013 Order, Diageo filed special leave petitions (SLPs) in the Supreme 
Court of India against the December 2013 Order. 

On 10 February 2014, the Supreme Court of India issued an order 

giving notice in respect of the SLPs and ordering that the status 
quo be maintained with regard to the UBHL Share Sale pending 
a hearing on the matter in the Supreme Court. Following a number 
of adjournments, the next date for a substantive hearing of the SLPs 
(in respect of which leave has since been granted and which have 
been converted to civil appeals) is yet to be fixed. 

In separate proceedings, the High Court passed a winding-up 

order against UBHL on 7 February 2017. On 4 March 2017, UBHL 
appealed against this order before a division bench of the High 
Court. This appeal is currently pending. 

Diageo continues to believe that the acquisition price of 
INR 1,440 per share paid to UBHL for the USL shares is fair and 
reasonable as regards UBHL, UBHL’s shareholders and UBHL’s secured 
and unsecured creditors. However, adverse results for Diageo in 
the proceedings referred to above could, absent leave or relief 
in other proceedings, ultimately result in Diageo losing title to 
the 10,141,437 USL shares acquired from UBHL. Diageo believes it 
would remain in control of USL and be able to consolidate USL as 
a subsidiary regardless of the outcome of this litigation. There can 
be no certainty as to the outcome of the existing or any further 
related legal proceedings or the timeframe within which they would 
be concluded. 

Diageo also has the benefit of certain contractual undertakings 
and commitments from the relevant sellers in relation to potential 
challenges to its unencumbered title to the USL shares acquired 
on 4 July 2013, including relating to the winding-up petitions 
described above and/or certain losses and costs that may be incurred 
in the event of third party actions relating to the acquisition of 
the USL shares. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS154 

(c) Continuing matters relating to the resignation of Dr Vijay 
Mallya from USL and USL internal inquiries 
On 25 February 2016, Diageo and USL each announced that they 
had entered into arrangements with Dr Mallya under which he had 
agreed to resign from his position as a director and as chairman 
of USL and from his positions in USL’s subsidiaries. As specified 
by Diageo in its announcement at that time, these arrangements 
ended its prior agreement with Dr Mallya regarding his position at 
USL, therefore bringing to an end the uncertainty relating to the 
governance of USL, and put in place a five-year global non-compete 
(excluding the United Kingdom), non-interference, non-solicitation 
and standstill arrangement with Dr Mallya. As part of those 
arrangements, USL, Diageo and Dr Mallya agreed a mutual release 
in relation to matters arising out of an inquiry into certain matters 
referred to in USL’s financial statements and the qualified auditor’s 
report for the year ended 31 March 2014 (the Initial Inquiry) which 
had revealed, among other things, certain diversions of USL funds. Dr 
Mallya also agreed not to pursue any claims against Diageo, USL and 
their affiliates (including under the prior agreement with Diageo). In 
evaluating entering into such arrangements, Diageo considered the 
impact of the arrangements on USL and all of USL’s shareholders, and 
came to the view that the arrangements were in the best interests of 
USL and its shareholders. 

Diageo’s agreement with Dr Mallya (the February 2016 

Agreement) provided for a payment of $75 million (£53 million) to 
Dr Mallya over a five year period in consideration for the five-year 
global non-compete, non-interference, non-solicitation and standstill 
commitments referred to above, his resignation from USL and the 
termination of his USL-related appointment and governance rights, 
the relinquishing of rights and benefits attached to his position at 
USL, and his agreement not to pursue claims against Diageo and 
USL. The February 2016 Agreement also provided for the release of 
Dr Mallya’s personal obligations to indemnify (i) Diageo Holdings 
Netherlands B.V. (DHN) in respect of its earlier liability ($141 million 
(£96 million)) under a backstop guarantee of certain borrowings of 
Watson Limited (Watson) (a company affiliated with Dr Mallya), and 
(ii) Diageo Finance plc in respect of its earlier liability (£30 million) 
under a guarantee of certain borrowings of United Breweries 
Overseas Limited, a subsidiary of UBHL. $40 million (£28 million) 
of the $75 million (£53 million) amount was paid on signing of the 
February 2016 Agreement with the balance being payable in equal 
instalments of $7 million (£5 million) a year over five years, subject 
to and conditional on Dr Mallya’s compliance with certain terms of 
the agreement. 

While the first three instalments of $7 million (£5 million) each 
would have become due on 25 February 2017, 25 February 2018 and 
25 February 2019, respectively, owing to various reasons (including 
breaches committed by Dr Mallya and certain persons connected 
with him of several provisions of the February 2016 Agreement and 
agreements of the same date between Dr Mallya and USL), Diageo 
believes that it was not liable to pay such amounts and did not do so. 
Diageo further believes that it is very unlikely to become liable to pay 
any future instalments, to Dr Mallya. By notice to Dr Mallya and certain 
persons connected with him on 24 February 2017, 3 November 2017, 
23 February 2018, 22 August 2018 and 22 February 2019, Diageo 
and other group companies have demanded from Dr Mallya the 
repayment of $40 million (£28 million) which was paid by Diageo 
on 25 February 2016, and also sought compensation from him for 
various losses incurred by the relevant members of the Diageo 
group on account of the breaches committed by him and certain 
persons connected with him. On 16 November 2017, Diageo and 
other relevant members of the Diageo group commenced claims 
in the High Court of Justice in England and Wales (the English 
High Court) against Dr Mallya in relation to certain of the matters 

specified in those notices. At the same time DHN also commenced 
claims in the English High Court against Dr Mallya, his son Sidhartha 
Mallya, Watson (a company affiliated with Dr Mallya) Continental 
Administration Services Limited (CASL) (a company which holds 
assets on trust for and is affiliated with Dr Mallya) for in excess of 
$142 million (£105 million) (plus interest) in relation to Watson’s 
liability to DHN in respect of its borrowings referred to above and the 
breach of associated security documents. These additional claims are 
described in paragraph (d) below. 

Dr Mallya, Sidhartha Mallya and the relevant affiliated companies 

filed a defence to such claims and the additional claims on 
12 March 2018, and Dr Mallya also filed a counterclaim for payment 
of the two $7 million (£5 million) instalment payments withheld by 
Diageo as described above. Diageo and the other relevant members 
of its group filed a reply to that defence and a defence to the 
counterclaim on 5 September 2018. 

Diageo continues to prosecute its claims and to defend the 
counterclaims. As part of this, on 18 December 2018, Diageo and the 
other relevant members of its group filed an application for strike 
out and/or summary judgement in respect of certain aspects of the 
defence filed by Dr Mallya and the other defendants, including their 
defence in relation to Watson and CASL’s liability to repay DHN. That 
application was made by DHN on the basis that the defence filed by 
Dr Mallya and his co-defendants in relation to those matters had no 
real prospect of success.

DHN’s summary judgement and strike out application was heard 

by the English High Court on 23 May 2019. The court decided in 
favour of DHN that (i) Watson is liable to pay, and has no defence 
against paying, $135 million (£105 million) plus interest of $11 million 
(£9 million) to DHN, and (ii) CASL is liable, as co-surety, to pay, and 
has no defence against paying, 50% of any such amount unpaid 
by Watson, i.e. up to $67.5 million (£52 million) plus interest of $5.5 
million (£4 million) to DHN. Watson and CASL were ordered to pay 
such sums, as well as certain amounts in respect of DHN and Diageo’s 
costs, to DHN by 21 June 2019. Such amounts were not paid on that 
date by either Watson or CASL. Accordingly, Diageo and DHN are 
considering further enforcement steps against those companies, 
both in the United Kingdom and in other jurisdictions where they are 
present or hold assets. 

The remaining elements of the claims originally commenced 
on 16 November 2017 by Diageo and the relevant members of its 
group are now expected to proceed to trial with a case management 
conference to take place on a date yet to be fixed.

As previously announced by USL, the Initial Inquiry identified 

certain additional parties and matters indicating the possible 
existence of other improper transactions. These transactions could 
not be fully analysed during the Initial Inquiry and, accordingly, USL, 
as previously announced, mandated that its Managing Director 
and Chief Executive Officer conduct a further inquiry into the 
transactions involving the additional parties and the additional 
matters to determine whether they also suffered from improprieties 
(the Additional Inquiry). USL announced the results of the Additional 
Inquiry in a notice to the Indian Stock Exchange dated 9 July 2016. 
The mutual release in relation to the Initial Inquiry agreed by Diageo 
and USL with Dr Mallya announced on 25 February 2016 does not 
extend to matters arising out of the Additional Inquiry. 

As stated in USL’s previous announcement, the Additional Inquiry 
revealed further instances of actual or potential fund diversions from 
USL and its Indian and overseas subsidiaries to, in most cases, Indian 
and overseas entities in which Dr Mallya appears to have a material 
direct or indirect interest, as well as other potentially improper 
transactions involving USL and its Indian and overseas subsidiaries. 
In connection with the matters identified by the Additional 
Inquiry, USL has, pursuant to a detailed review of each case of 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Other financial information 

155

such fund diversion and after obtaining expert legal advice, where 
appropriate, filed civil suits for recovery of funds from certain parties, 
including Dr Mallya, before the relevant courts in India.

The amounts identified in the Additional Inquiry have been 
previously provided for or expensed in the financial statements of 
USL or its subsidiaries for prior periods. Further, at this stage, it is 
not possible for the management of USL to estimate the financial 
impact on USL, if any, arising out of potential non-compliance with 
applicable laws in relation to such fund diversions. 

(d) Other continuing matters relating to Dr Mallya and affiliates
DHN issued a conditional backstop guarantee on 2 August 2013 
to Standard Chartered Bank (Standard Chartered) pursuant to 
a guarantee commitment agreement (the Guarantee Agreement). 
The guarantee was in respect of the liabilities of Watson, a company 
affiliated with Dr Mallya, under a $135 million (£92 million) facility 
from Standard Chartered (the Facility Agreement). The Guarantee 
Agreement was entered into as part of the arrangements put in place 
and announced at the closing of the USL transaction on 4 July 2013.
DHN’s provision of the Guarantee Agreement enabled the 
refinancing of certain existing borrowings of Watson from a third 
party bank and facilitated the release by that bank of rights over 
certain USL shares that were to be acquired by Diageo as part of 
the USL transaction. The facility matured and entered into default in 
May 2015. In aggregate DHN paid Standard Chartered $141 million 
(£96 million) under this guarantee, i.e. including payments of default 
interest and various fees and expenses. 

Watson remains liable for all amounts paid by DHN under the 

guarantee. Under the guarantee documentation with Standard 
Chartered, DHN is entitled to the benefit of the underlying security 
package for the loan, including: (a) certain shares in United Breweries 
Limited (UBL) held solely by Dr Mallya and certain other shares in UBL 
held by Dr Mallya jointly with his son Sidhartha Mallya, and (b) the 
shareholding in Watson. 

Aspects of the security package are the subject of various 

proceedings in India in which third parties are alleging and asserting 
prior rights to certain assets comprised in the security package or 
otherwise seeking to restrain enforcement against certain assets by 
Standard Chartered and/or DHN. These proceedings are ongoing 
and DHN will continue to vigorously pursue these matters as part of 
its efforts for enforcement of the underlying security and recovery 
of outstanding amounts. Diageo believes that the existence of any 
prior rights or dispute in relation to the security would be in breach 
of representations and warranties given by Dr Mallya and others 
to Standard Chartered at the time the security was granted and 
further believes that certain actions taken by Dr Mallya in relation to 
the proceedings described above also breached his obligations to 
Standard Chartered. In addition to these third party proceedings, Dr 
Mallya is also subject to proceedings in India under the Prevention of 
Money Laundering Act and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act in 
which the relevant Indian authority, the Directorate of Enforcement, 
is seeking confiscation of the UBL shares which were provided 
as security for Watson’s liabilities. DHN is participating in these 
proceedings in order to protect its security interest in respect of 
the UBL shares. 

Under the terms of the guarantee and as a matter of law, there 

are arrangements to pass on to DHN the benefit of the security 
package upon payment by DHN under the guarantee of all amounts 
owed to Standard Chartered. Payment under the guarantee has now 
occurred as described above. To the extent possible in the context of 
the proceedings described above, DHN continues to work towards 
enforcement of the security package, including, when appropriate, 
in conjunction with Standard Chartered. DHN’s ability to assume 

or enforce security over some elements of the security package is 
also subject to regulatory consent. It is not at this stage possible to 
determine whether such consent would be forthcoming. 

In addition to the Indian proceedings just described, certain of 
the assets comprised in the security package may also be affected 
by a worldwide freezing order of the English High Court granted 
on 24 November 2017 and continued on 8 December 2017 and 
8 May 2018 in respect of the assets of Dr Mallya.

The agreement with Dr Mallya referenced in paragraph (c) above 
does not impact the security package. Watson remains liable for all 
amounts paid pursuant to the guarantee and DHN has the benefit 
of a counter-indemnity from Watson in respect of payments in 
connection with the guarantee, as well as a claim against CASL as 
a co-surety with DHN of Watson’s obligations. The various security 
providers, including Dr Mallya and Watson, acknowledged in the 
February 2016 Agreement referred to in paragraph (c) above that 
DHN is entitled to the benefit of the security package underlying 
the Standard Chartered facility and have also undertaken to take all 
necessary actions in that regard. Further, Diageo believes that the 
existence of any prior rights or disputes in relation to the security 
package would be in breach of certain confirmations given to Diageo 
and DHN pursuant to that agreement by Dr Mallya, Watson and 
certain connected persons.

On 16 November 2017, DHN commenced various claims in 
the English High Court for, in aggregate, in excess of $142 million 
(£105 million) (plus interest) in relation to these matters, including the 
following: (i) a claim against Watson for $141 million (£96 million) (plus 
interest) under Watson’s counter-indemnity to DHN in respect of 
payments made by DHN to Standard Chartered under the guarantee 
referred to above; (ii) a claim against Dr Mallya and Sidhartha Mallya 
under various agreements creating or relating to the security 
package referred to above for (a) the costs incurred to date in the 
various Indian proceedings referred to above (plus interest), and (b) 
damages of $141 million (£96 million), being DHN’s loss as a result of 
those Indian proceedings which currently prevent enforcement of 
the security over shares in UBL (plus interest); and (iii) a claim against 
CASL, as a co-surety with DHN of Watson’s obligations under the 
Facility Agreement, for 50% of the difference between the amount 
claimed under (i) above and the amount (if any) that DHN is in fact 
able to recover from Watson, Dr Mallya and/or Sidhartha Mallya. 
As noted in paragraph (c), Dr Mallya, Sidhartha Mallya and the 

relevant affiliated companies filed a defence to these claims on 
12 March 2018. Diageo and the other relevant members of its group 
filed a reply to that defence on 5 September 2018.

DHN and Diageo continue to prosecute these claims. As part 

of that, on 18 December 2018, Diageo and the other relevant 
members of its group filed an application for strike out and/or 
summary judgment in respect of certain aspects of the defence 
filed by Dr Mallya, Sidhartha Mallya and the relevant affiliated 
companies, including in respect of Watson and CASL’s liability to 
repay DHN. The successful outcome of that application is described 
in paragraph (c) above. 

(e) Other matters in relation to USL
Following USL’s earlier updates concerning the Initial Inquiry as well 
as in relation to the arrangements with Dr Mallya that were the 
subject of the 25 February 2016 announcement, USL and Diageo 
have received various notices from Indian regulatory authorities, 
including the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Enforcement Directorate 
and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). 

Diageo and USL are cooperating fully with the authorities in 
relation to these matters. Diageo and USL have also received notices 
from SEBI requesting information in relation to, and explanation 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS156 

of the reasons for, the arrangements with Dr Mallya that were the 
subject of the 25 February 2016 announcement as well as, in the case 
of USL, in relation to the Initial Inquiry and the Additional Inquiry, 
and, in the case of Diageo, whether such arrangements with Dr 
Mallya or the Watson backstop guarantee arrangements referred to 
in paragraphs (c) and (d) above were part of agreements previously 
made with Dr Mallya at the time of the Original USL Transaction 
announced on 9 November 2012 and the open offer made as part 
of the Original USL Transaction. Diageo and USL have complied with 
such information requests and Diageo has confirmed that, consistent 
with prior disclosures, the Watson backstop guarantee arrangements 
and the matters described in the 25 February 2016 announcement 
were not the subject of any earlier agreement with Dr Mallya. In 
respect of the Watson backstop guarantee arrangements, SEBI 
issued a further notice to Diageo on 16 June 2016 that if there is any 
net liability incurred by Diageo (after any recovery under relevant 
security or other arrangements, which matters remain pending) 
on account of the Watson backstop guarantee, such liability, if any, 
would be considered to be part of the price paid for the acquisition 
of USL shares under the SPA which formed part of the Original USL 
Transaction and that, in that case, additional equivalent payments 
would be required to be made to those shareholders (representing 
0.04% of the shares in USL) who tendered in the open offer made as 
part of the Original USL Transaction. Diageo is clear that the Watson 
backstop guarantee arrangements were not part of the price paid 
or agreed to be paid for any USL shares under the Original USL 
Transaction and therefore believes the decision in the SEBI notice to 
be misconceived and wrong in law and appealed against it before 
the Securities Appellate Tribunal, Mumbai (SAT). On 1 November 2017, 
SAT issued an order in respect of Diageo’s appeal in which, amongst 
other things, it observed that the relevant officer at SEBI had neither 
considered Diageo’s earlier reply nor provided Diageo with an 
opportunity to be heard, and accordingly directed SEBI to pass a fresh 
order after giving Diageo an opportunity to be heard. Following SAT’s 
order, Diageo made its further submissions in the matter, including 
at a personal hearing before a Deputy General Manager of SEBI. On 
26 June 2019, SEBI issued an order reiterating the directions contained 
in its previous notice dated 16 June 2016. As with the previous notice, 
Diageo believes SEBI’s latest order to be misconceived and wrong 
in law and is taking steps to file an appeal before SAT against the 
order. Diageo is unable to assess if the notices or enquiries referred to 
above will result in enforcement action or, if this were to transpire, to 
quantify meaningfully the possible range of loss, if any, to which any 
such action might give rise to if determined against Diageo or USL. 
In relation to the matters described in the 25 February 2016 

announcement, Diageo had also responded to a show cause 
notice dated 12 May 2017 from SEBI arising out of the previous 
correspondence in this regard and made its further submissions in 
the matter, including at a personal hearing before a Whole Time 
Member of SEBI. On 6 September 2018, SEBI issued an order holding 
that Diageo had acquired sole control of USL following its earlier 
open offers, and that no fresh open offer was triggered by Diageo. 

(f) USL’s dispute with IDBI Bank Limited 
Prior  to  the  acquisition  by  Diageo  of  a  controlling  interest  in  USL, 
USL had prepaid a term loan of £72 million (INR 6,280 million) taken 
through IDBI Bank Limited (IDBI), an Indian bank, which was secured 
on certain fixed assets and brands of USL, as well as by a pledge of 
certain shares in USL held by the USL Benefit Trust (of which USL is the 
sole beneficiary). The maturity date of the loan was 31 March 2015. IDBI 
disputed the prepayment, following which USL filed a writ petition in 
November 2013 before the High Court of Karnataka (the High Court) 
challenging the bank’s actions.

Following the original maturity date of the loan, USL received notices 
from IDBI seeking to recall the loan, demanding a further sum of 
£5 million (INR 459 million) on account of the outstanding principal, 
accrued interest and other amounts, and also threatening to enforce 
the security in the event that USL did not make these further 
payments. Pursuant to an application filed by USL before the High 
Court in the writ proceedings, the High Court directed that, subject 
to USL depositing such further amount with the bank (which amount 
was duly deposited by USL), the bank should hold the amount in 
a suspense account and not deal with any of the secured assets 
including the shares until disposal of the original writ petition filed by 
USL before the High Court. 

On 27 June 2019, a single judge bench of the High Court issued an 
order dismissing the writ petition filed by USL, amongst other things, 
on the basis that the matter involved an issue of breach of contract 
by USL and was therefore not maintainable in exercise of the court’s 
writ jurisdiction. USL has since filed an appeal against this order before 
a division bench of the High Court. 

(g) SEC Inquiry 
Diageo has received requests for information from the US Securities 
and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its distribution in and 
public disclosures regarding the United States and its distribution 
in certain other Diageo markets as well as additional context about 
the Diageo group globally. Diageo is currently responding to the 
SEC’s requests for information in this matter. Diageo is unable to 
assess if the inquiry will evolve into further information requests 
or an enforcement action or, if this were to transpire, to quantify 
meaningfully the possible loss or range of loss, if any, to which any 
such action might give rise.

(h) Tax 
The international tax environment has received increased attention 
and seen rapid change over recent years, both at a US and European 
level, and by international bodies such as the Organisation for 
Economic Cooperation and Development. Against this backdrop, 
Diageo has been monitoring developments and continues to 
engage transparently with the tax authorities in the countries where 
Diageo operates to ensure that the group manages its arrangements 
on a sustainable basis. 

In April 2019, the European Commission issued its decision in 
a state aid investigation into the Group Financing Exemption in the 
UK controlled foreign company rules. The European Commission 
found that part of the Group Financing Exemption constitutes state 
aid. The Group Financing Exemption was introduced in legislation 
by the UK government in 2013. In common with other UK-based 
international companies whose arrangements are in line with current 
UK CFC legislation Diageo may be affected by the ultimate outcome 
of this investigation. In June 2019 the UK government and other 
UK-based international companies, including Diageo, appealed to 
the General Court of the European Union against the decision. In the 
meantime, the UK Government is required to commence collection 
proceedings and therefore it is expected that Diageo will have to 
make a payment in the year ending 30 June 2020 in respect of this 
case. At present it is not possible to determine the amount that the 
UK government will seek to collect. If the decision of the European 
Commission is upheld, Diageo calculates its maximum potential 
liability to be approximately £275 million. Based on its current 
assessment, Diageo believes that no provision is required in respect 
of this issue.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the group:  
Other financial information 

157

In July 2019 Diageo reached agreement with the French tax 
authorities over the deductibility of certain interest costs. See note 
7 (b) (i) for further information.

The group operates in a large number of markets with complex 
tax and legislative regimes that are open to subjective interpretation. 
As assessing an accurate value of contingent liabilities in these 
markets requires a high level of judgement, contingent liabilities are 
disclosed on the basis of the current known possible exposure from 
tax assessment values. 

Diageo has reviewed its disclosures in relation to Brazil and India, 
where Diageo has a large number of ongoing tax cases. While these 
cases are not individually significant, the current assessment of the 
aggregate possible exposures is up to approximately £313 million 
for Brazil and up to approximately £180 million for India. The group 
believes that the likelihood that the tax authorities will ultimately 
prevail is lower than probable but higher than remote. Due to the 
fiscal environment in Brazil and in India the possibility of further 
tax assessments related to the same matters cannot be ruled out. 
Based on its current assessment, Diageo believes that no provision 
is required in respect of these issues. 

 In addition to the risks highlighted above, payments were 
made under protest in India in respect of the periods 1 July 2009 
to 30 June 2015 in relation to tax assessments where the risk is 
considered to be remote. These payments have to be made in order 
to challenge the assessments and as such have been recognised as 
a receivable on the consolidated balance sheet. The total amount 
of protest payments recognised as a receivable as at 30 June 2019 is 
£104 million (corporate tax payments of £94 million and indirect tax 
payments of £10 million), from which the payments made in the year 
ended 30 June 2019 amount to £51 million.

(i) Other 
The group has extensive international operations and is a defendant 
in a number of legal, customs and tax proceedings incidental to 
these operations, the outcome of which cannot at present be 
foreseen. In particular, the group is currently a defendant in various 
customs proceedings that challenge the declared customs value of 
products imported by certain Diageo companies. Diageo continues 
to defend its position vigorously in these proceedings.

Save as disclosed above, neither Diageo, nor any member of the 

Diageo group, is or has been engaged in, nor (so far as Diageo is 
aware) is there pending or threatened by or against it, any legal or 
arbitration proceedings which may have a significant effect on the 
financial position of the Diageo group.

19. Commitments
(a) Capital commitments 
Commitments for expenditure on intangibles and property, plant 
and equipment not provided for in these consolidated financial 
statements are estimated at £255 million (2018 – £161 million; 2017 – 
£84 million).

(b) Operating lease commitments 
The minimum lease rentals to be paid under non-cancellable leases, 
principally in respect of properties, are as follows:

Payments falling due:
Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
After five years

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

98
64
45
34
22
58
321

100
70
48
32
20
42
312

There are no significant leases for which contingent rent is payable, 
nor any that have purchase options, escalation clauses or restrictions. 
Certain of the operating leases have renewal clauses which are at fair 
market value. 

20. Related party transactions
Transactions between the group and its related parties are made on 
terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s length transactions. 

(a) Subsidiaries
Transactions between the company and its subsidiaries are 
eliminated on consolidation and therefore are not disclosed. Details 
of the principal group companies are given in note 21.

(b) Associates and joint ventures
Sales and purchases to and from associates and joint ventures are 
principally in respect of premium drinks products but also include 
the provision of management services.

Transactions and balances with associates and joint ventures are 

set out in the table below:

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

Income statement items
Sales
Purchases
Balance sheet items
Group payables
Group receivables
Loans payable
Loans receivable
Cash flow items
Loans and equity contributions, 

net

9
28

12
2
6
55

32

10
29

3
2
6
59

37

10
32

4
1
6
31

14

Other disclosures in respect of associates and joint ventures are 
included in note 6. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS158 

(c) Key management personnel
The key management of the group comprises the Executive and 
Non-Executive Directors, the members of the Executive Committee 
and the Company Secretary. They are listed under ‘Board of Directors 
and Company Secretary’ and ‘Executive Committee’. 

Salaries and short-term 
employee benefits
Annual incentive plan
Non-Executive Directors’ fees
Share-based payments(i)
Post employment benefits
Termination benefits

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

10
10
1
20
3
 –
44

10
10
1
15
2
–
38

10
9
1
9
2
2
33

(i)  Time-apportioned fair value of unvested options and share awards. 

Non-Executive Directors do not receive share-based payments 
or post employment benefits. Details of the individual Directors’ 
remuneration are given in ’Single total figure of remuneration for 
Executive Directors’ and ’Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration’ 
in the Directors’ remuneration report. 

(d) Pension plans 
The Diageo pension plans are recharged with the cost of 
administration services provided by the group to the pension 
plans and with professional fees paid by the group on behalf of 
the pension plans. The total amount recharged for the year was 
£3 million (2018 – £14 million; 2017 – £15 million). 

(e) Directors’ remuneration

Salaries and short-term 
employee benefits
Annual incentive plan
Non-Executive Directors’ fees
Share option exercises(i)
Shares vesting(i)
Post employment benefits(ii)

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

2
2
1
2
13
1
21

2
3
1
 –
1
1
8

2
3
1
2
4
1
13

(i)  Gains on options realised in the year and the benefit from share awards, calculated by using the 
share price applicable on the date of exercise of the share options and release of the awards. 

(ii)  Includes a cash allowance in lieu of pension contributions. 

Details of the individual Directors’ remuneration are given in 
’Single total figure of remuneration for Executive Directors’ 
and ’Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration’ in the Directors’ 
remuneration report. 

21. Principal group companies
The companies listed below include those which principally affect the profits and assets of the group. The operating companies listed below 
may carry on the business described in the countries listed in conjunction with their subsidiaries and other group companies.

Country of 
incorporation

Country of operation

Percentage 
of equity
owned(i)

Business description

Subsidiaries
Diageo Ireland

Diageo Great Britain Limited
Diageo Scotland Limited

Diageo Brands B.V.
Diageo North America, Inc.

Republic of Ireland

Worldwide

England
Scotland

Netherlands
United States

Great Britain
Worldwide

Worldwide
Worldwide

100%

100%
100%

100%
100%

United Spirits Limited(ii)

India

India

54.78%

Diageo Capital plc(iii)
Diageo Finance plc(iii)
Diageo Investment Corporation
Mey İçki Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.

Associates
Moët Hennessy, SAS(iv)

Scotland
England
United States
Turkey

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United States
Turkey

100%
100%
100%
100%

Production, marketing and distribution 
of premium drinks
Marketing and distribution of premium drinks
Production, marketing and distribution 
of premium drinks
Marketing and distribution of premium drinks
Production, importing, marketing and  
distribution of premium drinks
Production, importing, marketing and  
distribution of premium drinks
Financing company for the group
Financing company for the group
Financing company for the US group
Production, marketing and distribution 
of premium drinks

France

France

34%

Production, marketing and distribution 
of premium drinks

(i)  All percentages, unless otherwise stated, are in respect of holdings of ordinary share capital and are equivalent to the percentages of voting rights held by the group.
(ii)  Percentage ownership excludes 2.38% owned by the USL Benefit Trust. 
(iii) Directly owned by Diageo plc.
(iv) French limited liability company.

22. Post balance sheet events
Share buyback
On 25 July 2019, the Board approved plans for a further return of capital up to £4.5 billion to shareholders for the three year period 
to 30 June 2022.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

159

Company balance sheet of Diageo plc

Notes

£ million

£ million

£ million

£ million

30 June 2019

30 June 2018

Non-current assets
Investment in subsidiary undertakings
Other financial assets
Post employment benefit assets

Current assets
Amounts owed by group undertakings
Trade and other receivables
Other financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
Current liabilities
Amounts owed to group undertakings
Other financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions

Non-current liabilities
Amounts owed to group undertakings
Other financial liabilities
Provisions
Deferred tax liabilities
Post employment benefit liabilities

Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Share capital (2019 – 2,601 million shares (2018 – 2,695 million shares) of 

28101/108 pence each)

Share premium
Merger reserve
Capital redemption reserve

Retained earnings:
At beginning of year
Profit for the year
Other changes in retained earnings

Total equity

3
4
6

4

4

4
4

7

4
4
7
5
6

9

9

27,046
386
951

253
5
6
35

(4)
(32)
(54)
(13)

(9,121)
(386)
(192)
(107)
(95)

753
1,350
9,161
3,190

4,775
3,714
(4,265)

27,043
253
858

28,383

28,154

299
28,682

66
3
1
25

(591)
(1)
(42)
(13)

95
28,249

(103)

(647)

(9,901)
(10,004)
18,678

(7,738)
(253)
(192)
(90)
(101)

780
1,349
9,161
3,163

(8,374)
(9,021)
19,228

14,454

14,453

4,925
2,346
(2,496)

4,224
18,678

4,775
19,228

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these parent company financial statements.

These financial statements were approved by a duly appointed and authorised committee of the Board of Directors on 25 July 2019 and 

were signed on its behalf by Ivan Menezes and Kathryn Mikells, Directors.

Company registration number No. 23307

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
 
160 

Statement of changes in equity for Diageo plc

At 30 June 2017
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income for the year
Employee share schemes
Share-based incentive plans
Shares issued
Share buyback programme
Dividends paid
At 30 June 2018
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income for the year
Employee share schemes

Share-based incentive plans
Tax on share-based incentive plans
Shares issued
Share buyback programme
Dividends paid
At 30 June 2019

Share
capital
£ million

Share
premium
£ million

Merger 
reserve
£ million

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£ million

Own
 shares
£ million

Other
 reserve
£ million

Total
£ million

Retained earnings

797
–
–
–
–
–
(17)
–
780
–
–
–

 –
–
–
(27)
–
753

1,348
–
–
–
–
1
–
–
1,349
–
–
–

 –
–
1
–
–
1,350

9,161
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
9,161
–
–
–

 –
–
–
–
–
9,161

3,146
–
–
–
–
–
17
–
3,163
–
–
–

 –
–
–
27
–
3,190

(2,176)
–
–
32
–
–
–
–
(2,144)
–
–
118

 –
–
–
–
–
(2,026)

7,101
2,346
528
(7)
39
–
(1,507)
(1,581)
6,919
3,714
40
(49)

49
1
–
(2,801)
(1,623)
6,250

4,925
2,346
528
25
39
–
(1,507)
(1,581)
4,775
3,714
40
69

49
1
–
(2,801)
(1,623)
4,224

Total
 equity
£ million

19,377
2,346
528
25
39
1
(1,507)
(1,581)
19,228
3,714
40
69

49
1
1
(2,801)
(1,623)
18,678

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these parent company financial statements.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

161

Notes to the company financial statements 
of Diageo plc

1. Accounting policies of the company
Basis of preparation
The financial statements of Diageo plc (the company) are prepared 
in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced 
Disclosure Framework (FRS 101).

In preparing these financial statements, the company applies 

the recognition, measurement, and disclosure requirements of 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU 
(IFRS), but makes amendments where necessary in order to comply 
with the Companies Act 2006 and has excluded certain information 
as permitted by FRS 101.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis 

under the historical cost convention, except for certain financial 
instruments and post employment benefits which are stated at 
their fair value.

By virtue of section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the 
company is exempt from presenting an income statement and 
disclosing employee numbers and staff costs. The company has 
taken advantage of the exemption under FRS 101 from preparing 
a cash flow statement and related notes, disclosures in respect 
of transactions and the capital management of wholly owned 
subsidiaries, the effects of new but not yet effective IFRSs and 
disclosures in respect of the compensation of Key Management 
Personnel. As the consolidated financial statements of Diageo 
plc include equivalent disclosures, the company has also utilised 
exemptions available under FRS 101 from disclosing IFRS 2 Share-
based Payments in respect of group settled share-based payments, 
disclosures required by IFRS 7 Financial Instruments Disclosures and 
by IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement.

Investment in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries are stated at historical cost less 
impairment provisions for any permanent decrease in value. The 
carrying amounts of the company’s investments are reviewed at 
each reporting date to determine whether there is an indication of 
impairment. If such an indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable 
amount is estimated. Losses are recognised in the income statement 
and reflected in an allowance against the carrying value. When 
a subsequent event causes the amount of impairment loss to 
decrease, the decrease in impairment loss is reversed through the 
income statement.

Dividends paid and received
Dividends are included in the financial statements in the financial 
year in which they are approved. Dividends received are included in 
the financial statements in the year in which they are receivable.

Share-based payments – employee benefits
The company’s accounting policy for share-based payments is the 
same as set out in note 17 to the consolidated financial statements. 
Where the company grants options over its own shares to the 
employees of its subsidiaries, it generally recharges the cost to the 
relevant group company. Where the amount is not recharged, the 
value of the options is recognised as a capital contribution to the 
subsidiaries and increases the cost of investment.

Pensions and other post employment benefits
The company’s accounting policy for post employment 
benefits is the same as set out in note 13 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

The company acts as sponsor of all UK post employment plans 

for the benefit of employees and former employees throughout 
the group. There is no contractual agreement or stated policy 
for charging the net defined benefit costs for the plan measured 
in accordance with FRS 101, to other group companies whose 
employees participate in these group wide plans. However, recharges 
to other group companies are made on a funding basis and are 
credited against post employment service costs to the extent they 
are in respect of current service. The fair value of the plans’ assets 
less the present value of the plans’ liabilities are disclosed as a net 
asset or net liability on the company’s balance sheet as it is deemed 
to be the legal sponsor of these plans. The net income charge/ 
credit reflects the increase in the defined benefit obligation resulting 
from service in the current year, benefit changes, curtailments and 
settlements. Past service costs are recognised in income. The net 
interest cost is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net 
balance of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of the 
plan assets and is included in the income statement. Any differences 
due to changes in assumptions or experience are recognised in other 
comprehensive income.

Provisions
Provisions are liabilities of uncertain timing or amount. A provision 
is recognised if, as a result of a past event, the group has a present 
legal or constructive obligation that can be estimated reliably, and it 
is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to 
settle the obligation. Provisions are calculated on a discounted basis. 
The carrying amounts of provisions are reviewed at each balance 
sheet date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate.

Taxation
Current tax is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit 
is different from accounting profit due to temporary differences 
between accounting and tax treatments, and due to items that are 
never taxable or tax deductible. Tax benefits are not recognised 
unless it is probable that the tax positions are sustainable. Once 
considered to be probable, tax benefits are reviewed each year to 
assess whether a provision should be taken against full recognition 
of the benefit on the basis of potential settlement through 
negotiation and/or litigation. Tax provisions are included in current 
liabilities. Penalties and interest on tax liabilities are included in profit 
before taxation.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
162 

Full provision for deferred tax is made for temporary differences 
between the carrying value of assets and liabilities for financial 
reporting purposes and their value for tax purposes. The amount of 
deferred tax reflects the expected recoverable amount and is based 
on the expected manner of recovery or settlement of the carrying 
amount of assets and liabilities, using the basis of taxation enacted or 
substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax assets 
are not recognised where it is more likely than not that the assets will 
not be realised in the future.

Financial assets and liabilities
Financial assets and liabilities are initially recorded at fair value 
including, where permitted by IFRS 9, any directly attributable 
transaction costs. For those financial assets that are not subsequently 
held at fair value, the company assesses whether there is evidence 
of impairment at each balance sheet date. The company classifies its 
financial assets and liabilities into the following categories: financial 
assets and liabilities at amortised cost, financial assets and liabilities 
at fair value through profit and loss and financial assets at fair value 
through other comprehensive income. Where financial assets or 
liabilities are eligible to be carried at either amortised cost or fair value 
the company does not apply the fair value option.

Amounts owed by group undertakings are initially measured at fair 

value and are subsequently reported at amortised cost. 

Amounts owed to group undertakings are initially measured  
at fair value and are subsequently reported at amortised cost. Non-
interest bearing payables are stated at their nominal value as they 
are due on demand. For a number of loans owed to other group 
companies, the company has a contractual right to defer payment 
by one year and one day and therefore these amounts are disclosed 
as non-current liabilities.

Financial guarantee contract liabilities
Financial guarantee contract liabilities are measured initially at 
their fair values. These liabilities are subsequently measured at the 
higher of the amount determined under IAS 37 and the amount 
initially recognised (fair value) less where appropriate, cumulative 
amortisation of the initial amount recognised.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates
The company’s critical accounting policies, which the Directors 
consider are of greater complexity and/or particularly subject to 
the exercise of judgements and estimates are the same as those 
disclosed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in 
respect of taxation, post employment benefits, contingent liabilities 
and legal proceedings. A critical accounting judgement, specific 
to the company, is the assessment that the recoverable amount 
of the company’s investment in subsidiaries is greater than the 
carrying amount.

2. Income statement
Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements provides details of 
the remuneration of the company’s auditor for the group.

Information on Directors’ emoluments, share and other interests, 

transactions and pension entitlements is included in the Directors’ 
remuneration report in this Annual Report.

3. Investment in subsidiary undertakings

Cost less provisions

At 30 June 2018

Additions (a)

At 30 June 2019

£ million

27,043

3

27,046

Investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at historical cost 
of £27,332 million (2018 – £27,329 million) less impairment provisions 
of £286 million (2018 – £286 million).

Investment in subsidiary undertakings include £132 million 
(2018 – £129 million) of costs in respect of share-based payments, 
granted to subsidiary undertakings which were not recharged to the 
subsidiaries. The additions of £3 million comprise the amount not 
recharged and capitalised as a cost of investment during the year 
ended 30 June 2019.

A list of group companies as at 30 June 2019 is provided in note 11.

4. Financial assets and liabilities
Other financial assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value through 
profit and loss and comprise the fair value of interest rate swaps 
and cross currency interest rate swaps with subsidiary undertakings, 
where the company acts as an intermediary between group 
companies, therefore it is not expected that there will be any net 
impact on future cash flows. 

Amounts owed by and to group undertakings, trade and 
other receivables and trade and other payables are measured at 
amortised cost. 

Amounts owed by and to group undertakings are interest bearing 

and unsecured. For a majority of the loans owed to other group 
companies, the company has a contractual right to defer payment by 
one year and one day and they are therefore classified as non-current 
liabilities. Other amounts owed by and to group undertakings are 
repayable on demand.

5. Deferred tax assets and liabilities

At 30 June 2017
Recognised in income statement
Recognised in other comprehensive 

income and equity

At 30 June 2018
Recognised in income statement
Recognised in other comprehensive 

income and equity

At 30 June 2019

Post 
employment 
plans
£ million

Other 
temporary 
differences
£ million

Total
£ million

(18)
(3)

(108)
(129)
(9)

(8)
(146)

42
(2)

(1)
39
(1)

1
39

24
(5)

(109)
(90)
(10)

(7)
(107)

Deferred tax on other temporary differences includes assets in respect 
of the UK Thalidomide Trust liability of £33 million (2018 – £35 million) 
and share-based payment liabilities of £5 million (2018 – £4 million).

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the company:  
Notes to the company financial statements 
of Diageo plc 

163

6. Post employment benefits
The movement in the net surplus for the two years ended 
30 June 2019, for all UK post employment plans for which the 
company is the sponsor, is as follows:

At 30 June 2017
Charge before taxation
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Contributions by group companies
Employee contributions
Benefits paid
At 30 June 2018
Charge before taxation
Other comprehensive income
Contributions by group companies
Employee contributions
Benefits paid
At 30 June 2019

Plan
 assets
£ million

Plan

 liabilities Net surplus
£ million
£ million

6,789
166
247
94
1
(505)
6,792
177
413
88
1
(356)
7,115

(6,683)
(215)
359
–
(1)
505
(6,035)
(180)
(399)
–
(1)
356
(6,259)

106
(49)
606
94
–
–
757
(3)
14
88
–
–
856

The net surplus for the UK post employment plans of £856 million 
(2018 – £757 million) for which the company is a sponsor comprises 
funded plans of £951 million (2018 – £858 million) disclosed as 
part of non-current assets and unfunded liabilities of £95 million 
(2018 – £101 million) disclosed as part of non-current liabilities.

The disclosures have been prepared in accordance with IFRIC 14. 
In particular, where the calculation for a plan results in a surplus, the 
recognised asset is limited to the present value of any available future 
refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the 
plan, and any additional liabilities are recognised as required.

Additional information on the UK post employment plans and the 

principal risks and assumptions applicable is disclosed in note 13 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

7. Provisions

At 30 June 2018

Provisions charged during the year
Provisions utilised during the year
Unwinding of discounts
At 30 June 2019

Thalidomide
£ million

Other
£ million

Total
£ million

203

 –
(13)
6
196

2

8
(1)
–
9

205

8
(14)
6
205

The company’s commitment to the UK Thalidomide Trust is discounted 
and will be utilised over the period of the commitment up to 2037.
At 30 June 2019 £13 million (2018 – £13 million) of provision is 

current and £192 million (2018 – £192 million) is non-current.

8. Financial guarantees and letters of comfort
The company has guaranteed certain external borrowings of 
subsidiaries which at 30 June 2019 amounted to £11,603 million 
(2018 – £9,177 million).

The company has also provided irrevocable guarantees relating 

to the liabilities of certain of its Irish and Dutch subsidiaries. In 
addition, the company has provided a guarantee to the Guinness 
Ireland Group Pension Scheme. The company has assessed that the 
likelihood of these guarantees being called as remote. The Directors 
do not expect the company to be liable for any legal obligation in 
respect of these financial guarantee agreements, and they have been 
recognised at nil fair value.

There is an intention to issue a non-binding letter of comfort to 
provide sufficient funds to directly owned subsidiary undertakings to 
enable them to continue to be accounted as going concerns, as and 
when required.

9. Shareholders’ funds
(a) Merger reserve
On the acquisition of a business, or of an interest in an associate, fair 
values, reflecting conditions at the date of acquisition, are attributed 
to the net assets acquired. Where merger relief is applicable under 
the UK Companies Acts, the difference between the fair value of the 
business acquired and the nominal value of shares issued as purchase 
consideration is treated as a merger reserve.

(b) Own shares
At 30 June 2019 own shares comprised 3 million ordinary shares 
held by employee share trusts (2018 – 4 million; 2017 – 5 million); 222 
million ordinary shares repurchased and held as treasury shares (2018 
– 222 million; 2017 – 222 million); and 7 million ordinary shares held 
as treasury shares for hedging share scheme grants (2018 – 12 million; 
2017 – 14 million).

In the year ended 30 June 2019 the company purchased 
94.7 million ordinary shares for a cost of £2,775 million (including 
£6 million of transaction costs) (2018 – 58.9 million ordinary shares 
for a cost of £1,507 million, including £9 million of transaction costs) 
through a share buyback programmes and funded the purchases 
through a combination of cash and short-term commercial paper. 
The shares purchased under the share buyback programmes were 
cancelled. The programme completed on 10 July 2019 resulting in 
the repurchase and cancellation of 0.3 million shares at an average 
price of £33.73, and an aggregate cost of £26 million (including 
£17 million of transaction costs) recognised as a financial liability 
at 30 June 2019.

Information on movements in own shares is provided in note 17(c) 

to the consolidated financial statements.

(c) Retained earnings
£3,593 million (2018 – £4,185 million) of retained earnings is available 
for the payment of dividends or purchases of own shares.

10. Post balance sheet event
On 25 July 2019, the Board approved plans for a further return of 
capital up to £4.5 billion to shareholders for the three year period 
to 30 June 2022.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS164 

11. Group companies
In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 a full list of subsidiaries, partnerships, associates, joint ventures and joint 
arrangements, the country of incorporation and the effective percentage of equity owned, as at 30 June 2019 are disclosed below. Unless 
otherwise stated the share capital disclosed comprises ordinary shares which are indirectly held by Diageo plc.

FULLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES

China

Guernsey

Angola

Rua Fernão de Sousa, Condomínio Bengo, Letter A, 11.s 
floor, Fraction A37, neighbourhood Vila Alice, Municipality 
of Luanda, Province of Luanda.
Diageo Angola Limitada
Argentina

Bernardo de Irigoyen 972, floor 7, office A, CABA
Diageo de Argentina S.A.
Australia

162 Blues Point Road, Level 1, NSW, 2060, McMahons Point
Bundaberg Distilling Investments Pty Ltd
Crescendo Australia Pty Ltd(iii)
Diageo Australia Limited(iii)
Level 1, 162 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point, NSW 2060
D.C.L (Holdings) Australia Proprietary Limited(ii),(iii)
Whitted Street, QLD, 4670, Bundaberg
Bundaberg Distilling Company Pty. Limited(v)
Austria

Teinfaltstrasse 8, 1010, Wien
Diageo Austria GmbH
Belgium

Z.3 Doornveld 150, 1731, Zellik
Diageo Belgium N.V.
Bermuda

Canon’s Court 22, Victoria Street, Hamilton, HM12
Atalantaf Limited
Brazil

Av. Washington Soares, 1280, Ceará, 60.810-350, Fortaleza
Ypióca industrial de Bebidas S.A.
Fazenda Santa Eliza, s/n, Ceará, 62.685-000, Paraipaba
Ypióca Agricola LTDA
Rua Olimpíadas, 205, 14o and 15o floor, São Paulo, 
04551-000, São Paulo
Diageo Brasil Ltda
Bulgaria

7 Iskarsko Shose Blvd., Trade Center Europe, building 12, 
floor 2, 1528, Sofia
Diageo Bulgaria Ltd
Cameroon

Bassa industrial trade zone, Ndog HemII, PO BOX 1213 
Douala
Guinness Cameroun S A
Canada

Boul Henri-Bourassa E., 9225, Local A, Quebec, H1E 1P6, 
Montreal
Diageo Americas Supply Quebec Distribution Inc.
Diageo Ireland Quebec Distribution Inc.
Peter, 134, 1501, 15, Ontario, M5V 2H2, Toronto
Diageo Canada Holdings Inc.
Diageo Canada Inc.
Cayman Islands

Second Floor, Century Yard, PO Box 448GT, Cricket Square, 
Grand Cayman
Grand Metropolitan (Cayman Islands) Limited(ii)
Chile

Cerro El Plomo 5630, Piso 13, Las Condes
Diageo Chile Limitada

No. 9 Quanxing Road, Jinniu District, 610036, Chengdu City
Sichuan Chengdu Shuijingfang Group Co., Ltd
No.209 Gonghe Road, Tower 2, Enterprise Centre, 2101, 21, 
Jing’an District, 200070, Shanghai
Diageo China Limited
No.28 Jiafeng Road, 2502, 5, Pudong District, 200137, 
Shanghai
Diageo (Shanghai) Limited
Room 1101, Building 3, No.68, Aoti Street, Jianye District, 
Nanjing City,
Jiangsu Diageo Spirits Co.,Ltd
Colombia

100 street No.13 21 Office 502. Bogotá
Diageo Colombia S.A.
Costa Rica

1 km Este Periodico La Nacion, Llorente de Tibas, Edificio 
Vinum Store, San Jose
Diageo Costa Rica S.A.
Croatia

Hektoroviceva ulica 2, 10000, Zagreb
Diageo Croatia d.o.o.za usluge
Cyprus

3 Themistokli Dervi Ave, Julia House, 1066, Nicosia
Horizon Developments Limited(ii)
Czech Republic

Na Pankráci 1724/129, 140 00, Prague
Diageo Czech Marketing Services LLC
Denmark

Sundkrogsgade 21, 2100, Copenhagen
Diageo Denmark AS
Dominican Republic

A J Aybar 204 SD, Santo Domingo
Diageo Dominicana S.R.L.
Ethiopia

Region Oromia, Subcity Finfine around Oromia, Woreda/
Kebele Sebeta Hawas, City Sebeta Town
Meta Abo Brewery Share Company
France

178, Rue Achard 33300, Bordeaux
Vignobles Internationaux S.A.S.
73, Rue de Provence, 75009, Paris
Diageo France Holdings S.A.S.
Diageo France Investments S.A.S.
Diageo France S.A.S.
Guinness France Holdings S.A.S.
United Distillers France SAS
Gabon

c/o Sobraga, P O Box 487, Libreville
Phenix Gabon SARL
Germany

Reeperbahn 1, 20359, Hamburg
Diageo Germany GmbH
Tempelhofer Ufer 1, Berlin 10961
Belsazar GmbH
Greece

27, Agiou Thoma street, Marousi, 151 24, Athens
Diageo Hellas S.A.

Heritage Hall, Le Marchant Street, St Peter Port, GY1 4HY
Diageo Group Insurance Company Limited
Hong Kong

11 Hoi Shing Road, 11 Hoi Shing Road, Room 7, 18, Tsuen 
Wan, New Territories, 999077
Diageo RTD Hong Kong Limited
3/F, 21 Li Yuen Street West Central
Vast Fund Limited
31/F Tower Two, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, 
Causeway Bay
Diageo International Spirits Company Limited
Hungary

1132 Budapest, Váci út 20-26
DIAGEO Business Services Limited
Diageo Employee Ownership Program Organization
DIAGEO HUNGARY FINANCE Limited Liability 
Company
DIAGEO Hungary Marketing Services Limited 
Liability Company
India

Block E, 2nd Floor, The MIRA, Plot 1&2, Ishwar Nagar, 
Mathura Road New Delhi South Delhi DL 110065
Diageo Distilleries Private Limited(vii)
Ganpatrao Kadam Marg. Piramal towers 4, Maharashtra 
400013, Mumbai
Diageo India Private Limited
Kempapura Main Road, Opp Nagawara Lake, Karle SEZ 
Tower, 2nd floor, Karnataka, 560045, Bangalore
Diageo Business Services India Private Limited
Indonesia

 Jl Jend Sudirman Kav. 76 – 78, Sudirman Plaza, Plaza 
Marein, 15th, Jakarta Selatan, 12910, Jakarta
PT Gitaswara Indonesia(ix)
Jalan Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31, Gedung World Trade 
Center I, 16th Floor, Setiabudi, South Jakarta, 12920, 
Jakarta
PT Langgeng Kreasi Jayaprima
Italy

Strada Statale 63, 12069, Santa Vittoria d’Alba (CN)
Diageo Operations Italy S.p.A.
Via Lugaro 15, 10126, Torino
Diageo Italia S.p.A.
Jamaica

214 Spanish Town Road. P.O. Box 190. Kingston 11
Diageo Jamaica Limited
7th Floor, Scotiabank Centre, Duke Street, Kingston
Trelawny Estates Limited
Lot 14, Gilbert Drive, Lakeside Park, Discovery Bay, St. Ann
Myers Rum Company (Jamaica) Limited(ii)
Japan

Nakano-ku 4-10-2, Nakano Central Park South, 17, Tokyo, 
164-0001
Diageo Japan K.K.
Kazakhstan

Timiryazev street 28 V, office 704, Bostandik district, 
50040, Almaty
Diageo Kazakhstan LLP
Kenya

L R NO 1870/1/569, 2nd Floor, Apollo Centre, Ring Road 
Parklands, Westlands, PO BOX 764 00606 Nairobi
Diageo Kenya Limited

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the company:  
Notes to the company financial statements 
of Diageo plc 

165

La Réunion

Portugal

Sweden

14, rue Jules Thirel A30 97460 Saint Paul, Reunion Island
Diageo Reunion 2 SAS(ii)
Diageo Reunion SA
Lebanon

Verdun Street, Ibiza Building, Beirut, PO Box 113-5631
Diageo Lebanon Holding SAL
Diageo LENA Offshore SAL
Mexico

Av. Ejercito Nacional, 843-B, Torre Paseo Acceso B, 2, 
Mexico City, 11520
Diageo Mexico Comercializadora S.A. de C.V.
Diageo Mexico II SA de CV Sociedad Financiera de 
Objeto Multiple, E.N.R.
Diageo Mexico SA de CV
Porfirio Diaz 17, Jalisco, 47750, Atotonilco el Alto
Diageo Mexico Operaciones S.A.de C.V.
Don Julio Agavera S.A. de C.V.
Don Julio Agricultura y Servicios S.A. de C.V.
Servicios Agavera, S.A.de C.V.
Mozambique

Avenida Marginal, parcela 141, 2do Andar – Prédio da 
Global Alliance, Caixa Postal 96, Maputo
Diageo Mozambique Lda.
Estrada Nacional numero 1, Micanhine, Marracuene
Diageo Supply Marracuene Lda.
New Zealand

123 Carlton Gore Road, Level 2, Newmarket, 1023, 
Auckland
Diageo New Zealand Limited(iii)
80 Queen Street, 1010, Auckland
Gilbeys New Zealand Limited
Nigeria

Oba Akran Avenue Ikeja, 24, Lagos, PMB 21071, 100001
Diageo Brands Nigeria Ltd
Norway

Apotekergata 10, 0180 Oslo
Diageo Norway AS
Panama

Costa del Este, Ave La Rotonda, Business Park, Torre V. , 15
Diageo Panama S.A.
Panama city, West Boulevard, PH ARIFA, 9th and 10th, 
Santa Maria Business
Diageo Taiwan Inc.
Paraguay

Avda Aviadores del Chaco 2050. Edificio World trade 
center. Torre 3 piso 11
Diageo Paraguay S.R.L.
Peru

Calle Las Begonias 415 Piso 03 Of. 301, San Isidro, Lima
Diageo Peru S.A.
Ciudadela Zofratacna Mz. D Lt. 8,9,10,15,16 y 17 Carretera 
Panamericana Sur Km 13, Tacna
Diageo Del Peru S.A.
Philippines

Lower G/F, Unit A Eight West Campus Le Grand Avenue, 
Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City , NCR Fourth 
District, 1630
Diageo Asia Pacific Shared Services Centre Limited, Inc.
Unit 1, 17th Floor, Ore Central 9th Avenue corner 31st 
Street Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, 1634
Diageo Export SR Inc.(ii)
Diageo Philippines Free Port Inc(ii)
Diageo Philippines, Inc
North Island United Enterprise Holdings Inc(ii)
United Distillers & Vintners Philippines Inc(ii)
Poland

Warsaw, Przyokopowa Str. 31, PL 01 – 208 Warsaw
Diageo Polska Sp. z o.o.

Avenida D. João II, No 49, Edificio Arts Torre A, 10, 1990-
085, LISBOA
Diageo Portugal – Distribuidora de Bebidas, 
Unipessoal, Lda
Republic of Ireland

Nangor House, Western Estate, Nangor Road, Dublin, 12
Gilbeys of Ireland (R&D) Unlimited Company
Gilbeys of Ireland Unlimited Company
R & A Bailey & Co
UDV Ireland Group (Trustees) Designated Activity 
Company
St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8
1759 Property Limited
AGS Employee Shares Nominees (Ireland) 
Designated Activity Company
Arthur Guinness Son & Company (Dublin)(ii)
Diageo Europe Holdings Limited
Diageo Ireland
Diageo Ireland Finance 1 Unlimited Company
Diageo Ireland Finance 2 Unlimited Company
Diageo Ireland Finance 3 Unlimited Company
Diageo Ireland Finance Unlimited Company
Diageo Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company
Diageo Ireland Pension Trustee Designated Activity 
Company
Diageo Turkey Holdings Limited
Guinness Storehouse Limited
Irish Ale Breweries Holdings Unlimited Company(iii)
Irish Ale Breweries Unlimited Company
Powtom 11 Limited
Powtom 12 Limited
Powtom 13 Limited
Powtom 14 Limited
Powtom 16 Limited
Powtom 17 Limited
Powtom 18 Unlimited Company
R&A Bailey Pension Trustee Designated Activity 
Company
Diageo Retirement Savings Plan Designated 
Activity Company
Russia

Kaspiyskaya Street, 22, main bld. 1, bld. 5, floor 3, 
apartment VII, room 31a, 115304, Moscow
D Distribution Joint-Stock Company
Diageo Brands Distributors LLC
Singapore

Singapore, 112 Robinson Road, 1, 5th Floor, 1, 68902
Diageo GTME Pte Ltd
Diageo Singapore Pte Ltd.
Diageo Singapore Supply Pte. Ltd.
Streetcar Investment Holding Pte. Ltd.
South Africa

Building 3, Maxwell Office Park, Magwa Crescent West, 
Waterfall City, Midrand, 2090
Brandhouse Beverages (Pty) Limited(ii)
Diageo South Africa (Pty) Limited
Diageo Southern Africa Markets (Pty) Ltd
United Distillers Southern Africa (Proprietary) 
Limited
Gallagher House, Gallagher Estate, Richards Drive, 
Midrand 1685
National Sorghum Breweries Properties Proprietary 
Limited(ii)
Newshelf 1167 Proprietary Limited(v)
Reldann Investments No. 12 Proprietary Limited(ii)
United National Breweries (SA) Proprietary Limited(ii)
South Korea

46, Dumujae-ro, Bubal-eup, Icheon-shi, Gyeonggi-do, 
17317, Icheon
Diageo Korea Company Limited
Spain

Avda de la Victoria 32, Edificio Spirit, 28023, Madrid
Diageo Espana S.A.

Gavlegatan street 22/C, 11330, Stockholm
Diageo Sweden AB
Switzerland

Rue du Grand-Pré 2b, 1007, Lausanne
Diageo Suisse S.A.
Tanzania

CRB Africa Legal Attorneys, Plot 60, Ursino Street P.O. Box 
32840, Dar es Salaam
Sumagro Limited(ii)
The Netherlands

Molenwerf 12, 1014 BG, Amsterdam
Diageo Atlantic B.V.
Diageo Brands B.V.
Diageo Highlands Holding B.V.
Diageo Holdings Netherlands B.V.
Diageo Nederland B.V.
Global Farming Initiative B.V.
Relay B.V.(v)
Selviac Nederland B.V.
Turkey

Büyükdere Caddesi, Bahar Sokak, River Plaza, N0:13, 25-29, 
Þiþli, 34394, Istanbul
Mey Alkollu Ickiler Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S
Mey Icki Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.
Ukraine

1v Pavla Tychyny avenue , 2152, Kyiv
Diageo Ukraine LLC
Chervonoarmiyska Street, bld. 9/2, apt. 70, Kyiv
Seagram Ukraine Limited
United Kingdom

Lakeside Drive, Park Royal, London, NW10 7HQ
Anyslam Investments
Anyslam Limited(i),(viii)
Cellarers (Wines) Limited
DEF Investments Limited
Diageo (IH) Limited(ii)
Diageo Balkans Limited
Diageo CL1 Limited
Diageo DV Limited
Diageo Eire Finance & Co
Diageo Employee Shares Nominees Limited(i),(ii)
Diageo Finance Australia LLP
Diageo Finance plc(i)
Diageo Finance US Limited
Diageo Financing Turkey Limited
Diageo Great Britain Limited
Diageo Healthcare Limited(ii)
Diageo Holdings Limited(i)
Diageo Holland Investments Limited(ii)
Diageo Investment Holdings Limited
Diageo Overseas Holdings Limited(vi)
Diageo Scotland Investment Limited
Diageo Share Ownership Trustees Limited(i),(ii)
Diageo Treasury Australia LLP
Diageo UK Turkey Finance Limited
Diageo UK Turkey Holdings Limited(vi)
Diageo UK Turkey Limited
Diageo United Kingdom Limited(ii)
Diageo US Holdings
Diageo US Investments
Grand Metropolitan Capital Company Limited
Grand Metropolitan Estates Limited
Grand Metropolitan International Holdings Limited
Grand Metropolitan Limited
Grandmet Foods (UK) Limited(ii)
Guinness Limited(i)
Guinness Overseas Holdings Limited(i)
Guinness Overseas Limited
James Buchanan & Company Limited(ii)
John Walker and Sons Limited(ii)
Otford Estates Limited
Tanqueray Gordon and Company, Limited(i)
The Distillers Company (Biochemicals) Limited(ii)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS166 

The Pimm’s Drinks Company Limited(ii)
UDV (SJ) Holdings Limited(i)
UDV (SJ) Limited
United Distillers & Vintners (SJ) B.V.(ii)
United Distillers France Limited(ii)
3rd Floor Capital House, 3 Upper Queen Street, Belfast
Diageo Global Supply IBC Limited(i)
Diageo Northern Ireland Limited(i)
S & B Production Limited(i)
61 St. James’s Street, London, SW1A 1LZ
Justerini & Brooks, Limited
Edinburgh Park, 5 Lochside Way, Edinburgh, EH12 9DT
3R Whisky Limited
Arthur Bell & Sons Limited(ii)
Carillon U.K. Limited(ii)
Diageo Capital plc(i)
Diageo Distilling Limited(ii)
Diageo Scotland Limited
J & B Scotland Limited(ii)
John Haig & Company Limited
United Distillers UK Limited(ii)
William Sanderson and Son Limited(ii)
Zepf Technologies UK Limited
Forsyth House, Lomond Court Castle Business Park, 
Stirling, FK9 4TU
Copper Dog Whisky Limited
United States

1131 King Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 
00820-4971
Diageo USVI, Inc
3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Building – Ste 104, 
Wilmington, DE 19810
Casamigos Spirits Company LLC
Casamigos Tequila LLC
1209 Orange Street, New Castle, Delaware 19801
DV Technology LLC
222 Cliffwood Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Soh Spirits Llc
801 Main Avenue – Norwalk, CT 06851
Ballroom Acquisition, Inc.
Diageo Americas Supply, Inc.
Diageo Americas, Inc.
Diageo Beer Company USA
Diageo Inc.
Diageo Investment Corporation
Diageo Latin America & Caribbean LLC
Diageo North America Foundation, Inc.
Diageo North America, Inc.(v)
Diageo US Turkey LLC
Liquor Investment Llc.
The Bulleit Distillery, Inc.
The Pierre Smirnoff Company Limited(v)
Uruguay

Av. Luis A. de Herrera, 1.248, WTC- Torre II – office 1074, 
Montevideo
Diageo Uruguay SA
Venezuela

Av Intercomunal Alí Primera, Los Taques, Estado Falcón
DV Paraguana, C.A.
Av. Circunvalación Norte (Jose Asunsion Rodriguez) 
Edificio Distribuidora Metropol, Porlamar, Estado Nueva 
Esparta
Clyde Trading, C.A.(v)
Cupar Trading, C.A.(v)
Diageo Nueva Esparta, C.A.
DV Trading, C.A.(v)
Zeta Importers, C.A.(v)
Ave. San Felipe Urbanización La Castellana, Edificio Centro 
Coinasa, Piso 6. Caracas, 1060
Diageo Venezuela C.A
Industrias Pampero C.A.(ii)
Calle 1 con CaIIe 1 Este; Edificio y Galpon BTP, Zona 
Industrial La Caracarita; Municipio Los Guayos; estado 
Carabobo
Arran Tradings, C.A.
DV Release, C.A.
Islay Trading, C.A.
L4L Trading, C.A.
Lismore Trading, C.A.
Skye Trading, C.A.

Carretera Nacional Acarigua-Barquisimeto Casa 
Agropecuaria Las Marias I C.A.S-N Sector los Guayones La 
Miel, Lara.
Agropecuarias Las Marias I C.A.
Av La Hormiga con Intersección de la Carretera via Payara, 
C.C. Tierra Buena, Acarigua, Estado Portuguesa
Mull Trading, C.A.
Vietnam

No. 157, 21/8 Street, Phuoc My Ward, Phan Rang – Thap 
Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province
Diageo Vietnam
Zimbabwe

48 Midlothian Avenue, Eastlea, Harare
International Distillers – Zimbabwe (Private) 
Limited(ii)

SUBSIDIARIES WHERE THE EFFECTIVE INTEREST 
IS LESS THAN 100%

Angola

Rua Dom Eduardo André Muaca, S/No, LOTE C4
DIREF Industria de Bebidas,Lda-Angola JV – 50.10%
British Virgin Islands

Sea Meadow House, Blackburne Highway, P.O. Box 116, 
Road Town, Tortola
Palmer Investment Group Limited(xi) – 54.78%
USL Holdings Limited(ii),(xi) – 54.78%
Wickhams Cay, 1, OMC Chambers, Road Town, Tortola
Rum Creation & Products, Inc.(v) – 50.00%
Canada

Queen’s Quay West, 207, 299, 2, Ontario, M5J 1A7, Toronto
Guinness Canada Limited – 51.00%
China

Chengdu City, Jinjiang District Shuijing Street No 21, 
610011
Chengdu Swellfun Marketing Co. Limited – 63.14%
No. 9 Quanxing Road, Jinniu District, 610036, Chengdu 
City
Chengdu Jianghai Trade Development Co. Limited 
– 63.14%
Chengdu Jiayuan Liquor Marketing Co. Limited – 
63.14%
Chengdu Ruijin Trade Co. Limited – 63.14%
Chengdu Tengyuan Liquor Marketing Co. Limited – 
63.14%
Sichuan Swellfun Co., Ltd – 63.14%
Qionglai City, Linqiong Industrial Park Road 318 W, 611538
Chengdu Rongshangfang Marketing Co. Limited – 
63.14%
Chengdu Swellfun Liquor Co. Limited – 63.14%
Sichuan Swellfun Liquor Marketing Co. Limited – 
63.14%
Unit 215, Xinxing Building, No. 8, Jia Feng Road, 
Wai Gao Qiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai
United Spirits (Shanghai) Trading Company Ltd(xi) – 
54.78%
Ghana

Guinness Brewery, Plot 1 Block L, Industrial Area, Kaasi, 
P.O. Box 1536, Kumasi
Guinness Ghana Breweries Plc – 80.39%
Guatemala

0 calle 8-19 zona 9, Quetzaltenango
Anejos De Altura, Sociedad Anonima – 50.00%
India

Roxana Towers, Ground Floor, M.No.7-1-24/1/RT/G1&G2, 
Greenlands, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500 016
Pioneer Distilleries Limited(xi) – 41.01%
Sovereign Distilleries Limited(xi) – 54.78%
Tern Distilleries Private Limited(xi) – 54.78%
UB Tower, #24, Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore-560001
Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited(xi) – 54.78%
United Spirits Limited(xi) – 54.78%

Jersey

Ordnance House, 31 Pier Road, St Helier, JE4 8PW
UB Sports Management Overseas Ltd(xi) – 54.78%
Kenya

Tusker House, Ruaraka, PO Box 30161, 00100 Nairobi GPO
Allsopp (East Africa) Limited(ii) – 48.52%
EABL International Limited(ii) – 50.03%
East African Breweries Limited – 50.03%
East African Maltings Limited – 50.03%
Kenya Breweries Limited – 50.03%
Tembo Properties Limited(ii) – 50.03%
Tusker Football Club – 50.03%
UDV Kenya Limited – 76.85%
Lebanon

Beirut Symposium Bldg, 10th floor, Beirut, PO Box 113-
5250, Beirut
Diageo Lebanon SAL – 85.00%
Mauritius

IFS Court, Twenty Eight, Cybercity, Ebene
Asian Opportunities and Investment Limited – 
54.78%
Nigeria

Oba Akran Avenue Ikeja, 24, Lagos, PMB 21071, 100001
Guinness Nigeria plc – 58.02%
North Cyprus

Sehit Mehmet Cetin Sokak, Kucuk Sanayi Bölgesi, 48, 
99450, Gazi Magusa
Turk Alkollu Icki ve Sarap Endustri Ltd. – 66.00%
Panama

Edificio Vallarino, Penthouse Calle 52 y Elvira Mendez P. O. 
Box 0816-06805 R.P.
Montrose International SA(xi) – 54.78%
Rwanda

Kimihurura, Gasabo, Umujyi was Kigali, 7130 Port Bell 
Luzira
East African Breweries Rwanda Limited – 50.03%
Seychelles

O’Brien House, 273 Le Rocher, Mahé
Seychelles Breweries Limited – 54.40%
Singapore

9 Battery Road, 15-01 Straits Trading Building, 049910
United Spirit Singapore Pte. Ltd.(xi) – 54.78%
South Sudan

Southern Sudan African Park Hotel, Juba Town
East African Beverages (Southern Sudan) Limited – 
49.53%
Tanzania

2nd Floor, East Wing TDFL Building, Ohio Street. P.O. Box 
32840 Dar es Salaam
EABL (Tanzania) Limited(ii) – 50.03%
Plot 117/2, Access Road, Nelson Mandela Expressway, 
Chang’Ombe Industrial Area, P.O. Box 41080, Dar es 
Salaam
Serengeti Breweries Limited – 25.52%
The Netherlands

Molenwerf 12, 1014 BG, Amsterdam
DC Brands B.V.(iii) – 50.00%
Ketel One Worldwide B.V.(iv) – 50.00%
Uganda

PO BOX 7130 KAMPALA
East African Maltings (Uganda) Limited – 50.03%
Plot 3-17 Port Bell Road, Luzira, Kampala, P.O. Box 7130
Uganda Breweries Limited – 49.03%
Plot No 1 Malt Road, Portbell Luzira P.O. Box 3221 Kampala
International Distillers Uganda Limited – 50.03%

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Financial statements of the company:  
Notes to the company financial statements 
of Diageo plc 

167

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Japan

Jinbocho Mitsui Bldg, Chiyodaku, Kandajinbocho, Tokyo
MHD Moët Hennessy Diageo K.K.(xii) – 67.00%
Nakano-ku 4-10-2, Nakano Central Park South, 17, Tokyo, 
164-0001
Diageo Kirin Company Limited – 51.00%
Macau

Unit 43 & 45, Level 20, AIA Tower, Nos 251A – 301 Avenida 
Comercial de Macau
Moët Hennessy Diageo Macau Limited(xii) – 67.00%
Malaysia

Unit 30-01, Level 30, Tower A, Vertical Business Suite, 
Avenue 3, Bangsar South, No. 8, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 
Kuala Lumpur
Moët Hennessy Diageo Malaysia Sdn Bhd.(xii) – 67.00%
Singapore

83 Clemenceau Ave, #09-01 UE Square, 239920
Moët Hennessy Diageo Singapore Pte. Ltd(xii) – 
67.00%
Thailand

South Sathorn, Empire Tower 1, 17-18Floor, Sathorn, 10120, 
Bangkok
Diageo Moët Hennessy (Thailand) Limited(xiii) – 
63.02%
The Netherlands

Molenwerf 12, 1014 BG, Amsterdam
Diageo-Moët Hennessy B.V.(iv) – 67.00%
United Kingdom

Goldsworth House, The Goldsworth Park Centre, Woking, 
Surrey, GU21 3LF
Trafalgar Metropolitan Homes Limited – 50.00%

(i)   Directly owned by Diageo plc.
(ii)   Dormant company.
(iii)   Ownership held in class of A shares.
(iv)   Ownership held in class of B shares.
(v)   Ownership held in class of A shares and B shares.
(vi)   Ownership held in preference shares.
(vii)    Ownership held in equity shares and  

preference shares.

(viii)  99.11% owned by Diageo plc.
(ix)  

 Companies controlled by the group based on 
management’s assessment.
 Diageo shares joint control over these entities under 
shareholders’ agreements, and Diageo’s rights to 
the profit, assets and liabilities of the companies 
are dependent on the performance of the group’s 
brands rather the effective equity ownership of 
the companies.
 Based on 54.78% equity investment in USL that 
excludes 2.38% owned by the USL Benefit Trust.

(x)  

(xi)  

(xii)   Operation is managed by Moët Hennessy.
(xiii)  Operation is managed by Diageo.

Lakeside Drive, Park Royal, London, NW10 7HQ 
Lakeside MWS Limited Liability Partnership
Diageo Pension Trust Limited(ix) – 55.00%
Shaw Wallace Overseas Limited(xi) – 54.78%
United Spirits (Great Britain) Limited(xi) – 54.78%
United Spirits (UK) Limited(xi) – 54.78%
USL Holdings (UK) Limited(xi) – 54.78%
Edinburgh Park, 5 Lochside Way, Edinburgh, EH12 9DT
Lochside MWS Limited Partnership
McDowell & Co. (Scotland) Ltd(xi) – 54.78%
United States

801 Main Avenue – Norwalk, CT 06851
California Simulcast Inc(ii) – 80.00%
D/CE Holdings LLC – 50.00%
Liquidity Inc.(ii),(xi) – 27.94%
Vietnam

621 Pham Van Chi Street, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam Spirits and Wine LTD – 55.00%

ASSOCIATES

Australia

50 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207
New World Whisky Distillery PTY Limited – 30.00%
Cabel Partners, Level 5, 1 James Place, North Sydney, NSW 
2060
Mr Black Spirits Pty Ltd. – 20.00%
Curaçao

Citco Curaçao, Schottegatweg Oost 44, Willemstad
International Brand Developers N.V. – 25.00%
Denmark

Stauningvej 38, 6900 Skjern
Stauning Whisky Holding ApS – 40.00%
France

24/32 rue Jean Goujon – 75008 Paris
Moët Hennessy International – 34.00%
Moët Hennessy, SAS – 34.00%
Hungary

26 Soroksári út, Budapest, 1095
Zwack Unicum plc – 26.00%
India

No.34, 1st Floor, B.Ramachandra Adithanar Road (4th Main 
Road), Gandhi Nagar, Adyar Chennai Chennai Tn 600020
Hip Bar Private Limited – 26.00%
Italy

Via Tortona 15, 20144, Milan
Niococktails S.R.L. – 20.00%
Jamaica

2nd Floor, 2-6 Grenada Crescent; Kingston 5
Clarendon Distillers Limited – 26.10%
Spain

Calle General Vara del Rey 5, 1 Piso, 26003 Logroño, 
La Rioja
El Bandarra, S.L. – 25.00%
carrtera La Cuesta Taco Km 0.5. La Laguna, Santa Crus De 
Teneriffe
Compania Cervecera De Canarias, S.A. – 20.00%
Tomino (Ponteverda), 36750, Parroquia de Goian, Barrio 
de Centinela, 1
Valdomino Premium Spirits, S.L. – 20.00%
The Netherlands

Ceresstraat 1, 4811 CA Breda
Canbrew B.V.(iv) – 28.16%
Wichersstraat 26, 1051 ML Amsterdam
Pekoe B.V. – 20.00%

1 Orchard Road, St George, Bristol, BS5 7HS
Caleno Drinks Ltd – 20.00%
12 Church Road, Teddington, London TW11 8PB
Tipplesworth Limited – 20.00%
17 Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4QG
Del Professore Limited – 20.00%
1st Floor, Colina House, Colina Mews, London, N15 3HS
Longflint Drinks Limited – 20.00%
28 Vale Road, Claygate, Esher, KT10 0NJ
London Botanical Drinks Limited – 20.00%
354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE
The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre Limited(vi) – 
22.38%
44 Rectory Lane, Kings Langley, WD4 8EY
Conscious Drinks Ltd – 20.00%
64 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 8TB
Seedlip Ltd – 20.00%
Anna Seed 83 Limited – 20.00%
Ballindalloch Castle, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9AX
Ballindalloch Distillery LLP – 33.33%
Cambridge Distillery, 20 High Street, Grantchester, 
Cambridge CB3 9NF
Cambridge Distillery Limited – 33.00%
United States

1045 Dodge Lane, Fallon, NV 89406
Nevada Spirits De, Llc – 25.00%
2459 E 8th Street; Los Angeles, California 90021
Modern Spirits, Llc – 20.00%
3131 SE Gideon St, Portland, Oregon, 97202
Naam Som Llc – 30.00%
575 Grand Street 1507, New York, New York 10002
Grand Street Beverages Llc – 35.00%
65 SE Washington Street Portland, Oregon 97214
House Spirits Distillery Llc – 32.50%
68 3rd Street Unit 5C, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Equal Parts, Llc – 20.00%
517 West 39th Street, Austin, Texas 78751
Gourmet Grade, Llc – 21.57%
Vietnam

94 Lo Duc Street, Pham Dinh Ho Ward, Hai Ba Trung 
District, Ha Noi City
Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Company (Halico) – 45.57%

JOINT VENTURES

United Kingdom

9 Wheatfield Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2PX
Lothian Distillers Limited – 50.00%
North British Distillery Company Limited – 50.00%

JOINT OPERATIONS(X)

China

702A, Taiping Finance Tower, 488 Middle Yincheng Road, 
(Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Moët Hennessy Diageo (China) Co Ltd(xii) – 67.00%
Costa Rica

Llorente de Tibás, 1Km este del Periódico La Nación
HA&COM Bebidas del Mundo, SA – 50.00%
Dominican Republic

Independencia Street, No. 129, Santiago
Gist Dominicana S.A. – 60.90%
Salvador Sturla Street, Ensanche Naco, Santo Domingo
Seagram Dominicana S.A. – 60.90%
Segunda (2da) Street, Los Platanitos, Santiago
Industria de Licores Internationales S.A. – 59.71%
France

105 Boulevard de la Mission Marchand, Courbevoie, 92400
MHD Moët Hennessy Diageo SAS – 0.05%
Hong Kong

Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East
Moët Hennessy Diageo Hong Kong Limited(xii) – 
67.00%

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS168 

Unaudited financial information

1. Five years financial information
The following tables present selected consolidated financial data for Diageo for the five years ended 30 June 2019 and as at the respective 
year ends. The data presented below for the five years ended 30 June 2019 and the respective year ends has been derived from Diageo’s 
consolidated financial statements.

Income statement data

Sales
Excise duties
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Marketing
Other operating expenses
Operating profit
Non-operating items
Net interest and other finance charges
Share of after tax results of associates and joint ventures
Profit before taxation
Tax before exceptional items
Exceptional taxation
Profit from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit for the year

Weighted average number of shares
Shares in issue excluding own shares
Dilutive potential ordinary shares

Per share data
Dividend per share

Basic earnings per share
Continuing operations – before exceptional items
Continuing operations – after exceptional items
Discontinued operations

Diluted earnings per share
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

2019
£ million

2018
£ million

2017
£ million

2016
£ million

2015
£ million

Year ended 30 June

19,294
(6,427)
12,867
(4,866)
8,001
(2,042)
(1,917)
4,042
144
(263)
312
4,235
(859)
(39)
3,337
–
3,337

million
2,418
10
2,428

pence
68.57

130.8
130.7
–
130.7

130.1
–
130.1

18,432
(6,269)
12,163
(4,634)
7,529
(1,882)
(1,956)
3,691
–
(260)
309
3,740
(799)
203
3,144
–
3,144

million
2,484
11
2,495

pence
65.3

118.6
121.7
–
121.7

121.1
–
121.1

18,114
(6,064)
12,050
(4,680)
7,370
(1,798)
(2,013)
3,559
20
(329)
309
3,559
(736)
4
2,827
(55)
2,772

million
2,512
11
2,523

pence
62.2

108.5
108.2
(2.2)
106.0

107.7
(2.2)
105.5

15,641
(5,156)
10,485
(4,251)
6,234
(1,562)
(1,831)
2,841
123
(327)
221
2,858
(552)
56
2,362
–
2,362

million
2,508
10
2,518

pence
59.2

89.4
89.5
–
89.5

89.1
–
89.1

15,966
(5,153)
10,813
(4,610)
6,203
(1,629)
(1,777)
2,797
373
(412)
175
2,933
(517)
51
2,467
–
2,467

million
2,505
12
2,517

pence
56.4

88.8
95.0
–
95.0

94.6
–
94.6

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Unaudited financial information  

169

1. Five years financial information (continued)

Balance sheet data

Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Equity attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Net borrowings

2. Contractual obligations and other commitments

As at 30 June 2019
Long-term debt obligations
Interest obligations
Credit support obligations
Purchase obligations
Operating leases
Post employment benefits(i)
Provisions and other non-current payables
Finance leases
Capital commitments
Other financial liabilities
Total

(i)  For further information see note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.

Long-term debt obligations comprise the principal amount of 
borrowings (excluding foreign currency swaps) with an original 
maturity of greater than one year. Interest obligations comprise 
interest payable on these borrowings and are calculated based on 
the fixed amounts payable and where the interest rate is variable 
on an estimate of what the variable rates will be in the future. 
Credit support obligations represent liabilities to counterparty 
banks in respect of cash received as collateral under credit support 
agreements. Purchase obligations include various long term 
purchase contracts entered into for the supply of raw materials, 
principally bulk whisk(e)y, cereals, cans and glass bottles. Contracts 
are used to guarantee the supply of raw materials over the long term 
and to enable a more accurate prediction of costs of raw materials 
in the future. Provisions and other non-current payables exclude 
£4 million in respect of vacant properties. For certain provisions 
discounted numbers are disclosed.

Corporate tax payable of £378 million and deferred tax liabilities 

are not included in the table above, as the ultimate timing of 
settlement cannot be reasonably estimated.

2019
£ million

21,923
9,373
31,296
(7,003)
(14,137)
(21,140)
10,156
753
1,350
2,372
3,886
8,361
1,795
10,156
(11,277)

2018
£ million

21,024
8,691
29,715
(6,360)
(11,642)
(18,002)
11,713
780
1,349
2,133
5,686
9,948
1,765
11,713
(9,091)

2017
£ million

20,196
8,652
28,848
(6,660)
(10,160)
(16,820)
12,028
797
1,348
2,693
5,475
10,313
1,715
12,028
(7,892)

2016
£ million

19,639
8,852
28,491
(6,187)
(12,124)
(18,311)
10,180
797
1,347
2,625
3,761
8,530
1,650
10,180
(8,635)

As at 30 June

2015
£ million

18,134
7,670
25,804
(5,290)
(11,258)
(16,548)
9,256
797
1,346
1,994
3,634
7,771
1,485
9,256
(9,527)

Less than
 1 year
£ million

1-3 years
£ million

3-5 years
£ million

Payments due by period

More than
5 years
£ million

Total
£ million

978
363
120
1,125
98
50
101
48
224
174
3,281

2,942
489
–
478
109
95
292
50
31
–
4,486

2,846
368
–
146
56
90
29
36
–
–
3,571

4,748
1,362
–
16
58
80
214
9
–
–
6,487

11,514
2,582
120
1,765
321
315
636
143
255
174
17,825

Management believe that it has sufficient funding for its working 
capital requirements.

Post employment benefits contractual obligations comprise 

committed deficit contributions but exclude future service 
cost contributions.

3. Off-balance sheet arrangements
Neither Diageo plc nor any member of the Diageo group has any 
off-balance sheet financing arrangements that currently have or 
are reasonably likely to have a material future effect on the group’s 
financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of 
operations, liquidity, capital expenditure or capital resources.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS170 

Cautionary statement concerning 
forward-looking statements

Factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ 
materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking 
statements include, but are not limited to: 

•  economic, political, social or other developments in countries 

and markets in which Diageo operates, which may contribute to 
a reduction in demand for Diageo’s products, adverse impacts on 
Diageo’s customer, supplier and/or financial counterparties, or the 
imposition of import, investment or currency restrictions (including 
the potential impact of any global, regional or local trade wars or 
any tariffs, duties or other restrictions or barriers imposed on the 
import or export of goods between territories, including but not 
limited to, imports into and exports from the United States, Canada, 
Mexico, the United Kingdom and/or the European Union); 

•  the negotiating process surrounding, as well as the final terms of, 
the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, which could 
lead to a sustained period of economic and political uncertainty 
and complexity whilst detailed withdrawal terms and any successor 
trading arrangements with other countries are negotiated, finalised 
and implemented, potentially adversely impacting economic 
conditions in the United Kingdom and Europe more generally 
as well as Diageo’s business operations and financial performance 
(see more detailed status on Brexit above); 

•  changes in consumer preferences and tastes, including as a result 
of changes in demographics, evolving social trends (including 
any shifts in consumer tastes towards small-batch craft alcohol, 
low or no alcohol, or other alternative products), changes in travel, 
vacation or leisure activity patterns, weather conditions, health 
concerns and/or a downturn in economic conditions; 

•  any litigation or other similar proceedings (including with tax, 
customs, competition, environmental, anti-corruption or other 
regulatory authorities), including litigation directed at the beverage 
alcohol industry generally or at Diageo in particular; 

•  changes in the domestic and international tax environment, 

including as a result of the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting 
Initiative and EU anti-tax abuse measures, leading to uncertainty 
around the application of existing and new tax laws and 
unexpected tax exposures; 

•  the effects of climate change, or legal, regulatory or market 

measures intended to address climate change, on Diageo’s business 
or operations, including on the cost and supply of water; 

•  changes in the cost of production, including as a result of increases 

in the cost of commodities, labour and/or energy or as a result 
of inflation; 

•  legal and regulatory developments, including changes in 

regulations relating to production, distribution, importation, 
marketing, advertising, sales, pricing, labelling, packaging, 
product liability, antitrust, labour, compliance and control systems, 
environmental issues and/or data privacy; 

This document contains ‘forward-looking’ statements. These 
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only 
to historical or current facts. In particular, forward-looking statements 
include all statements that express forecasts, expectations, plans, 
outlook, objectives and projections with respect to future matters, 
including trends in results of operations, margins, growth rates, 
overall market trends, the impact of changes in interest or exchange 
rates, the availability or cost of financing to Diageo, anticipated cost 
savings or synergies, expected investments, the completion of any 
strategic transactions or restructuring programmes, anticipated 
tax rates, changes in the international tax environment, expected 
cash payments, outcomes of litigation, anticipated changes in 
the value of assets and liabilities related to pension schemes and 
general economic conditions. By their nature, forward-looking 
statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to 
events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. 
There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and 
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by 
these forward-looking statements, including factors that are outside 
Diageo’s control. 

Brexit and related risks
There continues to be uncertainty with respect to the process 
surrounding the United Kingdom’s proposed exit from the 
European Union, and in relation to the political environment 
more generally in the United Kingdom. We continue to believe 
that, in the event of either a negotiated exit or no-deal scenario, 
the direct financial impact to Diageo will not be material. In the 
EU, we expect that the vast majority of our finished case goods 
will continue to trade tariff free, with no change to existing 
tariffs in either scenario. There remains uncertainty in relation 
to future trading arrangements between the UK and the rest of 
the world where today we rely on a number of existing EU Free 
Trade Agreements (FTAs) with third party countries. However, 
more recently, a number of countries have agreed with the UK 
to continue to trade on these terms in the event of a ‘no deal’ 
outcome. If the UK Government is unable to renew all of the 
existing FTAs on which we rely, trading could revert to WTO rules. 
We have mitigation plans in place to minimise any short term 
disruption that could arise from a no-deal scenario. 

We have further considered the principal impact to our 
supply chain of a no-deal scenario which we have assessed as 
limited and believe that we have appropriate stock levels in place 
to mitigate this risk. The full implications of Brexit will not be 
understood until future tariffs, trade, regulatory, tax, and other free 
trade agreements to be entered into by the United Kingdom are 
established. Furthermore, we could experience changes to laws 
and regulations post Brexit, in areas such as intellectual property 
rights, employment, environment, supply chain logistics, data 
protection, and health and safety. 

A cross-functional working group is in place that meets on 
a regular basis to identify and assess the consequences of Brexit, 
with all major functions within our business represented. We 
continue to monitor this risk area very closely, as well as the 
broader environment risks, including a continuing focus on 
identifying critical decision points to ensure potential disruption 
is minimised, and take prudent actions to mitigate these risks 
wherever practical.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Additional information for shareholders 

171

All oral and written forward-looking statements made on or after 
the date of this document and attributable to Diageo are expressly 
qualified in their entirety by the above cautionary factors, by the 
‘Risk Factors’ section immediately preceding those and by the ‘Risk 
Factors’ included in Diageo’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the 
year ended 30 June 2018 filed with the US Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC). Any forward-looking statements made by or on 
behalf of Diageo speak only as of the date they are made. Diageo 
does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to 
reflect any changes in Diageo’s expectations with regard thereto or 
any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any 
such statement is based. The reader should, however, consult any 
additional disclosures that Diageo may make in any documents 
which it publishes and/or files with the SEC. All readers, wherever 
located, should take note of these disclosures. 

This document includes names of Diageo’s products, which 

constitute trademarks or trade names which Diageo owns, or 
which others own and license to Diageo for use. All rights reserved. 
© Diageo plc 2019.

The information in this document does not constitute an offer 
to sell or an invitation to buy shares in Diageo plc or an invitation or 
inducement to engage in any other investment activities. 

This document may include information about Diageo’s target 
debt rating. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell 
or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at 
any time by the assigning rating organisation. Each rating should be 
evaluated independently of any other rating. 

Past performance cannot be relied upon as a guide to 

future performance.

•  the consequences of any failure by Diageo or its associates to 
comply with anti-corruption, sanctions, trade restrictions or 
similar laws and regulations, or any failure of Diageo’s related 
internal policies and procedures to comply with applicable 
law or regulation; 

•  the consequences of any failure of internal controls, including those 

affecting compliance with existing or new accounting and/or 
disclosure requirements; 

•  Diageo’s ability to maintain its brand image and corporate 
reputation or to adapt to a changing media environment; 

•  contamination, counterfeiting or other circumstances which 

could harm the level of customer support for Diageo’s brands 
and adversely impact its sales;

•  increased competitive product and pricing pressures, including 
as a result of actions by increasingly consolidated competitors 
or increased competition from regional and local companies, 
that could negatively impact Diageo’s market share, distribution 
network, costs and/or pricing; 

•  any disruption to production facilities, business service centres or 

information systems, including as a result of cyber attacks; 

•  increased costs for, or shortages of, talent, as well as labour strikes 

or disputes; 

•  Diageo’s ability to derive the expected benefits from its business 
strategies, including in relation to expansion in emerging markets, 
acquisitions and/or disposals, cost savings and productivity 
initiatives or inventory forecasting; 

•  fluctuations in exchange rates and/or interest rates, which may 
impact the value of transactions and assets denominated in 
other currencies, increase Diageo’s cost of financing or otherwise 
adversely affect Diageo’s financial results; 

•  movements in the value of the assets and liabilities related to 

Diageo’s pension plans; 

•  Diageo’s ability to renew supply, distribution, manufacturing or 

licence agreements (or related rights) and licences on favourable 
terms, or at all, when they expire; or 

•  any failure by Diageo to protect its intellectual property rights. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION172 

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Additional information  
for shareholders

Articles of association
The company is incorporated under the name Diageo plc, and is 
registered in England and Wales under registered number 23307. 
The following description summarises certain provisions of 
Diageo’s articles of association (as adopted by special resolution at 
the Annual General Meeting on 20 September 2018) and applicable 
English law concerning companies (the Companies Acts), in each 
case as at 24 July 2019. This summary is qualified in its entirety by 
reference to the Companies Acts and Diageo’s articles of association.
Investors can obtain copies of Diageo’s articles of association by 

contacting the Company Secretary at the.cosec@diageo.com. 

Any amendment to the articles of association of the company 
may be made in accordance with the provisions of the Companies 
Act 2006, by way of special resolution.

Directors
Diageo’s articles of association provide for a board of directors, 
consisting (unless otherwise determined by an ordinary resolution 
of shareholders) of not fewer than three directors and not more than 
25 directors, in which all powers to manage the business and affairs 
of Diageo are vested. Directors may be elected by the members in 
a general meeting or appointed by Diageo’s Board. At each annual 
general meeting, the following are required to retire and are then 
reconsidered for election/re-election, assuming they wish to stand 
for election/re-election: any director who has been appointed by 
Diageo’s Board since the last annual general meeting; any director 
who has been in office during the two previous general meetings 
and did not retire at either of them; and any director who has been 
in office, other than in an executive position, for a continuous period 
of nine years or more at the date of the meeting. There is no age limit 
requirement in respect of directors. Directors may also be removed 
before the expiration of their term of office in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Acts.

Voting rights
Voting on any resolution at any general meeting of the company is by 
a show of hands unless a poll is duly demanded. On a show of hands, 
(a) every shareholder who is present in person at a general meeting, 
and every proxy appointed by any one shareholder and present at 
a general meeting, has/have one vote regardless of the number of 
shares held by the shareholder (or, subject to (b), represented by 
the proxy), and (b) every proxy present at a general meeting who 
has been appointed by more than one shareholder has one vote 
regardless of the number of shareholders who have appointed him or 
the number of shares held by those shareholders, unless he has been 
instructed to vote for a resolution by one or more shareholders and 
to vote against the resolution by one or more shareholders, in which 
case he has one vote for and one vote against the resolution.

On a poll, every shareholder who is present in person or by 
proxy has one vote for every share held by that shareholder, but 
a shareholder or proxy entitled to more than one vote need not 
cast all his votes or cast them all in the same way (the deadline for 
exercising voting rights by proxy is set out in the form of proxy).

A poll may be demanded by any of the following:

•  the chairman of the general meeting;

•  at least three shareholders entitled to vote on the relevant 

resolution and present in person or by proxy at the meeting;

•  any shareholder or shareholders present in person or by proxy 
and representing in the aggregate not less than one-tenth of 
the total voting rights of all shareholders entitled to vote on the 
relevant resolution; or

•  any shareholder or shareholders present in person or by proxy 
and holding shares conferring a right to vote on the relevant 
resolution on which there have been paid up sums in the 
aggregate equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid 
up on all the shares conferring that right.

Diageo’s articles of association and the Companies Acts provide 
for matters to be transacted at general meetings of Diageo by the 
proposing and passing of two kinds of resolutions:

•  ordinary resolutions, which include resolutions for the election, 
re-election and removal of directors, the declaration of final 
dividends, the appointment and re-appointment of the external 
auditor, the remuneration report and remuneration policy, the 
increase of authorised share capital and the grant of authority to 
allot shares; and

•  special resolutions, which include resolutions for the amendment 

of Diageo’s articles of association, resolutions relating to the 
disapplication of pre-emption rights, and resolutions modifying 
the rights of any class of Diageo’s shares at a meeting of the 
holders of such class.

An ordinary resolution requires the affirmative vote of a simple 
majority of the votes cast by those entitled to vote at a meeting at 
which there is a quorum in order to be passed. Special resolutions 
require the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the 
votes cast by those entitled to vote at a meeting at which there is 
a quorum in order to be passed. The necessary quorum for a meeting 
of Diageo is a minimum of two shareholders present in person or by 
proxy and entitled to vote.

A shareholder is not entitled to vote at any general meeting or 

class meeting in respect of any share held by him if he has been 
served with a restriction notice (as defined in Diageo’s articles 
of association) after failure to provide Diageo with information 
concerning interests in those shares required to be provided under 
the Companies Acts.

Pre-emption rights and new issues of shares
While holders of ordinary shares have no pre-emptive rights under 
Diageo’s articles of association, the ability of the directors to cause 
Diageo to issue shares, securities convertible into shares or rights to 
shares, otherwise than pursuant to an employee share scheme, is 
restricted. Under the Companies Acts, the directors of a company are, 
with certain exceptions, unable to allot any equity securities without 
express authorisation, which may be contained in a company’s 
articles of association or given by its shareholders in a general 
meeting, but which in either event cannot last for more than five 
years. Under the Companies Acts, Diageo may also not allot shares 
for cash (otherwise than pursuant to an employee share scheme) 
without first making an offer to existing shareholders to allot such 
shares to them on the same or more favourable terms in proportion 
to their respective shareholdings, unless this requirement is waived 
by a special resolution of the shareholders.

DIAGEO ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Additional information for shareholders 

173

Repurchase of shares
Subject to authorisation by special resolution, Diageo may purchase 
its own shares in accordance with the Companies Acts. Any shares 
which have been bought back may be held as treasury shares or, 
if not so held, must be cancelled immediately upon completion 
of the purchase, thereby reducing the amount of Diageo’s issued 
share capital.

Restrictions on transfers of shares
The Board may decline to register a transfer of a certificated Diageo 
share unless the instrument of transfer (a) is duly stamped or 
certified or otherwise shown to the satisfaction of the Board to be 
exempt from stamp duty, and is accompanied by the relevant share 
certificate and such other evidence of the right to transfer as the 
Board may reasonably require, (b) is in respect of only one class of 
share and (c) if to joint transferees, is in favour of not more than four 
such transferees.

Registration of a transfer of an uncertificated share may be refused 

in the circumstances set out in the uncertificated securities rules (as 
defined in Diageo’s articles of association) and where, in the case of 
a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the 
uncertificated share is to be transferred exceeds four.

The Board may decline to register a transfer of any of Diageo’s 
certificated shares by a person with a 0.25% interest (as defined in 
Diageo’s articles of association) if such a person has been served 
with a restriction notice (as defined in Diageo’s articles of association) 
after failure to provide Diageo with information concerning interests 
in those shares required to be provided under the Companies Acts, 
unless the transfer is shown to the Board to be pursuant to an arm’s 
length sale (as defined in Diageo’s articles of association). 

Documents on display
The Annual Report on Form 20-F and any other documents filed by 
the company with the US Securities Exchange Commission (’SEC’) 
may be inspected at the SEC’s office of Investor Education and 
Advocacy located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Please 
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public 
reference rooms and their copy charges. Filings with the SEC are also 
available to the public from commerical document retrieval services, 
and from the website maintained by the US Securities and Exchange 
Commission at www.sec.gov.

External limited assurance of selected Sustainability & 
Responsibility performance data
We engaged PwC LLP to perform an independent limited assurance 
engagement, reporting to the Board of Directors of Diageo plc, 
over selected Sustainability & Responsibility (S&R) performance data 
marked with the symbol Δ within the Strategic report of the Annual 
Report 2019, and the S&R Performance Addendum to the Annual 
Report 2019. PwC LLP engagement was performed in accordance 
with International Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 
(Revised) ‘Assurance Engagements other than Audits and Reviews of 
Historical Financial Information’ and, in respect of the greenhouse gas 
emissions, in accordance with International Standard on Assurance 
Engagements 3410 ‘Assurance engagements on greenhouse gas 
statements’, issued by the International Auditing and Assurance 
Standards Board.

PwC LLP’s full assurance opinion is available in the S&R 
Performance Addendum to the Annual Report 2019, available 
at www.diageo.com.

A summary of the work they performed is included in their assurance 
opinion. It is important to read the selected S&R performance data 
contained within this report in the context of PwC LLP’s full limited 
assurance opinion and our reporting methodologies. Our reporting 
methodologies are included in the S&R Performance Addendum to 
the Annual Report, available at www.diageo.com. 

Warning to shareholders – share fraud
Please beware of the share fraud of ‘boiler room’ scams, where 
shareholders are called ‘out of the blue’ by fraudsters (sometimes 
claiming to represent Diageo) attempting to obtain money or 
property dishonestly. Further information is available in the investor 
section of the company’s website (www.diageo.com) but in short, 
if in doubt, take proper professional advice before making any 
investment decision.

Electronic communications
Shareholders can register for an account to manage their 
shareholding online, including being able to check the number of 
shares they own and the value of their shareholding; register for 
electronic communications; update their personal details; provide 
a dividend mandate instruction; access dividend confirmations; 
and use the online share dealing service. To register for an account, 
shareholders should visit www.diageoregistrars.com.

Dividend payments
Direct payment into bank account
Shareholders can have their cash dividend paid directly into their UK 
bank account on the dividend payment date.

To register UK bank account details or to sign up for the 

International Payment Service, shareholders can register for an online 
account at www.diageoregistrars.com or call the Registrar, Link 
Asset Services on +44 (0)371 277 1010* to request the relevant form.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan
A Dividend Reinvestment Plan is offered by the Registrar, Link Market 
Services Trustees Limited, to give shareholders the opportunity to 
build up their shareholding in Diageo by using their cash dividends 
to purchase additional Diageo shares.

To join the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, shareholders can call the 
Registrar, Link Asset Services on +44 (0)371 277 1010* to request the 
relevant application form.

The Registrar
Link Asset Services act as the Company’s registrar and can be 
contacted as follows:

By email: diageo@linkgroup.co.uk
By telephone: +44 (0) 371 277 1010*
In writing: Registrars – Link Asset Services, Diageo Registrar, 
PO Box 521, Darlington DL1 9XS

* Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by 
provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the 
applicable international rate. Lines are open between 09:00 to 17:30, 
Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in England and Wales.

© 2019 Diageo plc.  
All rights reserved.  
All brands mentioned 
in this Annual Report 
are trademarks and are 
registered and/or otherwise 
protected in accordance  
with applicable law.

Diageo plc

Lakeside Drive 
Park Royal 
London 
NW10 7HQ 
United Kingdom

T: +44 (0) 20 8978 6000

www.diageo.com

Registered in England 
No. 23307

Designed by SALTERBAXTER  
An MSL Company

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