Liquor company Diageo Korea announced on Sept. 4 that it will appoint Dan Hamilton, former president of Diageo’s Northern Europe, as its new CEO. It is the first time in 16 years that a foreigner has been appointed as CEO of Diageo Korea.
Diageo said, "Dan Hamilton is a liquor market expert who has been running various organizations through India, China, Japan, and Europe since joining Diageo in 2011."
In Japan, he succeeded in Scotch Whisky and Guinness beer while serving as CEO between 2016 and 1919, and since last year, he has been the CEO of Diageo Northern Europe, reflecting new consumer trends and leading the growth.
Industries are paying keen attention to whether the mercenary CEO card taken out by Diageo Korea, which has been suffering from a slump in domestic whiskey sales due to a prolonged economic slump and a change in liquor culture, will work.
At the forefront of management, a Korean representative has been leading the company since 2004. Starting with Chairman Song Duk-yong in 2004, Korean CEO Kim Jong-woo in 2007, Cho Gil-soo in 2013, and Lee Kyung-woo in 2018, led the company for the fourth generation.
"Dan Hamilton has achieved great results by passionately leading innovation through collaboration with various teams in various regions," said Diageo Asia-Pacific Chairman Sam Fischer. "In Korea, one of the most important markets for Diageo, he will also achieve great success by satisfying customers and consumers."
kslee@koreaittimes.com
