Diageo has named Oliver Loomes as its new country director for Ireland, replacing David Smith who was recently appointed managing director of Diageo Australia.
Loomes (pictured), a Dublin native, has been with Diageo for 16 years and led the 250th anniversary and inaugural Arthur's Day campaigns in 2009. He has been the global brand director for Diageo since 2011.
A graduate of UCD and Michael Smurfit Business School, Loomes previously worked for Mars Corporation before joining Diageo in 1999. He has held a number of positions in Diageo in marketing and innovation.
Announcing his appointment, John Kennedy, President, Diageo Europe, said: “Our Irish business is a strong and important part of Diageo, and I’m delighted to be able to announce Oliver as our new Country Director. Oliver has a wealth of experience and knowledge of both the Irish business and the drinks industry in general, which he will bring to his new role."
Speaking about his new role as Country Director for Diageo Ireland, Oliver Loomes added: "I’m hugely excited about taking on this role. Diageo is a company with some of Ireland’s most iconic brands, not least Guinness, Smithwick’s and Baileys, which are a vital element of what is a vibrant and dynamic Irish drinks industry. In the last 12 months Guinness has returned to growth in Ireland, and I look forward to building on that success with a great team of colleagues in Diageo Ireland."
Diageo recently posted a full-year net sales increase of five per cent globally. Guinness sales were up in Ireland and the US, three per cent and two per cent respectively, however global sales remained flat.
