Smith lands new Diageo director's role

Diageo has appointed David Smith, former field sales director, to the newly created position of sales director for the UK business.

The job has been created to "streamline the multiple sales functions within the company", Diageo said.

Mr Smith, formerly the group's field sales director, will be responsible for managing the grocery, convenience, route to market, wholesale, on-trade retail and field sales teams.

He will also be in charge of planning and operations.

"I am thrilled to be taking on this role," said Mr Smith. "It is an exciting opportunity and I'm looking forward to the challenge of developing our sales division and working alongside my colleagues Benet Slay, managing director, Diageo GB, and Philip Almond,marketing director, Diageo GB, to further align sales to marketing to drive growth for both Diageo and our customers."

Mr Smith joined Diageo in 2000 as marketing director for Guinness and has since held a number of sales and marketing roles including his most recent position as field sales director, with responsibility for Diageo GB's 300-strong on-trade field sales team.