Andrew Cowan is Diageo Global Travel’s new Managing Director, while John O’Keeffe has secured the role of President, Asia Pacific and Global Travel.

 

As Managing Director of Global Travel (GT) Cowan will oversee the strategic direction of the premium drinks company’s travel retail business, leading the team directing Diageo’s brands across some of the most famous airports, cruise-liners and more.

 

Prior to moving to Diageo GT, Cowan led the African Emerging Markets division of the African region, directing business operations across Ghana, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Indian Ocean, Angola and several other WACA countries.

 

He has held several key managerial posts at the leading premium drinks business including more recently CEO East Africa Breweries and Managing Director GB and Ireland.

 

“I am delighted to have joined the GT team at this pivotal moment for travel retail,” said Cowan.

 

“We are moving ahead this year, buoyed by the opportunity and scope of a changed and enlivened travel industry, but fully conscious of the challenges coming.

 

“There is much we want to achieve over the coming period, it is an exciting time for everyone in the team and we are looking forward to engaging the travel retail community at Cannes this October.”

 

O’Keeffe is on the Diageo Global Executive Committee and will now oversee Global Travel alongside his APAC regional remit. He began his career with Diageo in 1994 and has held a number of marketing and commercial roles.

 

Moving into general management O’Keeffe has run businesses across Europe and multiple emerging markets, most recently he led Diageo’s global beer portfolio, and was President of the African region.

 

Both O’Keeffe and Cowan will be at Cannes when the Global Travel Retail industry come together this October. Diageo alongside Moodie Davitt will be hosting a series of sustainability events, in the early evening each night of the conference; ‘open to all’.

 

Diageo made its sustainability ambitions clear within its ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’, 10-year action plan, which it promoted during the inaugural TR Consumer Forum in 2021.

 

Backing the first trade conference in nearly two years, Diageo sponsored a session dedicated to sustainability, health and well-being; topics which align with the company’s own mission statements.

 

Diageo continued to raise awareness of its Society 2030 plan this year as it pledged support of TR Sustainability Week as Platinum Partner.