The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry
Diageo’s latest annual report for 2026 shows that the alcohol giant’s workforce has been reduced by more than 6%, or nearly 2,000 jobs, year-over-year.
On a full-time equivalent basis, the report states that Diageo had an average of 27,972 employees worldwide on 30 June 2026. This figure marks a significant decrease from the 29,860 reported in 2025.
The figures come amid a wider restructuring of Diageo’s operations, as the Guinness and Johnnie Walker maker aims to strengthen its performance, cut costs and enable reinvestment in future growth.
Earlier this month, the company said it is targeting $1 billion in savings over the next three years from its work on its operating framework, as well as further work on the supply chain.
The organisational changes come under the leadership of CEO Dave Lewis, appointed to the role in late 2025, effective from January 2026.
Lewis replaced former CEO Debra Crew, who stepped down in July 2025 amid a turbulent period for the business, marked by economic uncertainty and sales declines.
Having previously led significant restructuring programmes at major multinationals including Unilever and Tesco, Lewis has earned the nickname ‘Drastic Dave’ for his bold cost-cutting approaches during his nearly four-decade CPG career. He headed up Tesco as group CEO from 2014-2020, leading a major financial turnaround amid an accounting crisis for the supermarket chain.
In June, FoodBev reported that approximately 150 job roles in Ireland could be impacted as part of Diageo’s ongoing operational changes.
FoodBev has approached Diageo for comment on the latest workforce figures and for further information on any job cuts made as part of the ongoing restructuring.
