Former boss of drinks giant Diageo dies after short illness at 63

Ivan Menezes, one of the most influential figures in the global drinks industry over the past few decades and who was widely admired for his commitment to diversity, has died following a short illness. He was 63.

Menezes was until earlier this week chief executive of Diageo, the drinks giant that owns popular brands such as Johnnie Walker whisky, Smirnoff vodka and Guinness.

In a statement Wednesday, Diageo confirmed Menezes’ death, two days after announcing that he was stepping down after developing complications while recovering from emergency surgery on an ulcer.

Menezes was due to step down as chief executive at the end of the month after 10 years at the helm of the company, which has a market value on the London Stock Exchange of $93 billion. Diageo also accounts for around 10% of the U.K.’S total food and drinks exports.

Menezes was born in 1959 in Pune, India. He held British and U.S. citizenship, as well as overseas citizenship for the country of his birth.

He was knighted in January in King Charles III’S first New Years honors list for services to business and to equality. Under his leadership, Diageo took great strides in diversifying its leadership – it said more than 40% of Diageo’s senior leadership positions globally are held by women, while 37% are ethnically diverse.