The lady powerhouse who is often revered for leading Diageo India into the top tier of the country’s alco-beverage industry, Hina Nagarajan, MD And CEO, Diageo India is now transitioning into a global role at the company after serving a four years long successful tenure.
Succeeding Nagarajan as the CEO Designate for Diageo India as she will be transitioning into a new role at Diageo in April 1, 2025, is HT Media’s MD and CEO- Praveen Someshwar who is currently on his way out from the company and will continue to serve the position until the end of February.
Ending his tenure at HT Media on February 28, 2025, Someshwar will join Diageo as Chief Executive Officer- Designate on March 1, 2025 and will be working closely with Nagarajan until March 31, 2025.
In the wake of this development, Hina Nagarajan has accordingly tendered her resignation as Director, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at United Spirits Brewery (Diageo India’s listed plc) effective end of day March 31, 2025.
She had joined the company as CEO- Designate in April 2021 and took over as MD and CEO of Diageo India from July 1, 2021. That said, under her leadership, the company has combined strong top-line growth and margin expansion with impactful strategic initiatives, reshaping and premiumising the company’s portfolio and positioning Diageo India as an innovative leader in the AlcoBev industry.
During her tenure, the company’s market capitalisation has grown to more than Rs 1 trillion (~US$ 12.5 Bn) and as she moves on to a new role within Diageo, she leaves a significant track record of success and a highly engaged, talented and diverse team.
Prior to taking up the CEO Designate role at Diageo India in April 2021, Nagarajan was associated with Diageo as MD- Africa Emerging Markets from August 2018 to March 2021.
And before joining Diageo, she worked with Reckitt Benckiser for over five years. She joined them as General Manager- Malaysia and Singapore in June 2013 and was elevated to the role of SVP and Regional Director- North Asia in July 2015.
Previously, she also served as Country Manager of Mary Kay Cosmetics from May 2007 to April 2013, GM- Marketing, Innovation and Strategy at ICI Paints from October 2000 to April 2007 and Business Manager- Infant Nutrition and Milk at Nestle India between June 1987 and September 2000.
Someshwar, on the other hand, has been responsible for leading multiple digital, print and radio outlets under HT Media including Hindustan Times, Mint, etc. for the last five years.
Before that, he had a highly successful 24-year career with PepsiCo, working in a variety of General Management, Finance, and Strategy roles in India and the wider Asia Pacific region. It was in 2009 that he was appointed CEO of PepsiCo’s South Asia beverage business, and in 2012, moved on to become CEO of PepsiCo India’s foods business. From 2014-2018 he was SVP and General Manager for PepsiCo for North Asia and parts of SE Asia, based in Hong Kong, leading a portfolio of markets as well as leading the sales function for Pepsi’s wider Asia Pacific region.
Previously, Someshwar also worked as Business Accounts Manager at ICI Paints between December 1991 and March 1994 and did an Articleship with AF Ferguson at KPMG from August 1988 to September 1991.
Commenting on the leadership transition, Debra Crew, Chief Executive Officer, Diageo, said, “Under Hina’s leadership, Diageo India has combined strong top-line growth and margin expansion with impactful strategic initiatives, reshaping and premiumising our portfolio and positioning Diageo India as an innovative leader in the AlcoBev industry. As she moves on to a new role within Diageo, she leaves a significant track record of success and a highly engaged, talented and diverse team.”
“Praveen joins us with an outstanding track record of leading consumer businesses, with a passion for both strategy and executional excellence that will serve us well as we plan for the next phase of Diageo India’s exciting growth story. I can’t wait to welcome him on board,” she added.
Adding to this, Mahendra Kumar Sharma, Chairman of USL board, also stated, “On behalf of the USL Board, we wish to extend our sincere thanks to Hina for her strong stewardship of the business and her partnership with the Board. Together with the team in India, she has led a bold ambition for growth that has driven market share gains across multiple categories, and she leaves the business with a clear strategy and growth momentum. The Board and I also wish to welcome Praveen, who we look forward to working with and offering our full support as he transitions into this important leadership position.”
Furthermore, Nagarajan also went on to mention, “It has been a true privilege to lead Diageo India during a period of strong strategic progress and sustained, profitable double-digit growth for the business, with our market capitalisation growing to more than INR 1 trillion (~US$ 12.5 Bn). I wish all my Diageo India colleagues ongoing success and look forward to supporting them as they continue their work in building this fantastic business under Praveen’s leadership.”
Concludingly, Someshwar also mentioned, “ I am delighted to be joining Diageo – a business with world-leading brands, talented colleagues, and a long-term commitment to developing its business sustainably in India. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to build on their great work.”
