Diageo’s outgoing chief executive, Paul Walsh, with some of the company’s products

Ivan Menezes celebrated his success landing the job as boss of the world's biggest drinks company, Diageo, with a glass of Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky on the flight from London to New York. The promotion of the chief operating officer and company insider didn't scare the horses in the City as the shares barely twitched. But as he sipped the £130 liquor on the plane Mr Menezes might well have pondered the shoes he will have to fill when Paul Walsh, the FTSE 100's third longest-serving boss, departs.

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Market Report: Market braced for huge Diageo placing

AS THE stock market braced itself for a huge share placing in Diageo, there were indications that the spirit giant's reign in Spain could be coming to an end. The shares, as Footsie ended its losing streak, gained 21.5p to 670.5p in busy trading.

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Italian vermouth to go in clear-out of underperforming brands

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DIAGEO, Britain's biggest drinks group, yesterday delivered a solid set of half-year results in spite of collapsing markets in Asia and Latin America.

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JARVIS PORTER, the Leeds-based label and printing company, announced a restructuring programme costing pounds 7.5m over a 12-month period, writes Clifford German.
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