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(Reuters) -Diageo Plc, the world’s biggest spirits company, on Monday said CEO-designate Debra Crew will assume the top role on an interim basis immediately as outgoing boss Ivan Menezes undergoes medical treatment.
Long-time boss Menezes, who was set to retire at the end of this month, is currently in hospital receiving treatment for medical conditions including a stomach ulcer, the company said in a statement.
“Over the weekend, we learned that Ivan’s recovery suffered a significant setback due to complications, which followed emergency surgery on the ulcer,” Diageo (LON:) said.
Diageo, the maker of Johnnie Walker whisky, Tanqueray gin and Don Julio tequila, in March had appointed Crew, 52, to replace Menezes, with her becoming one of only a handful of women to lead a company in Britain’s blue-chip .