Diageo founding corporate communications head Lynn Shepherd is
leaving the company. The firm does not intend to replace her.
The move comes amid the ongoing review of Diageo’s in-house
communications function in the run-up to corporate affairs director
Peter Lipscomb’s retirement next year (PR Week, 8 October).
Shepherd, on three months’ gardening leave, is considering her
options.
As communications head, she reported to Lipscomb and oversaw six staff,
covering internal and external communications for Diageo and its drinks
arm UDV.
Until Diageo decides how communications will fit into its broader
corporate structure, Shepherd’s staff will be split. The three PROs
dedicated to UDV now report to UDV chief executive Jack Keenan, with a
dotted line to Lipscomb.
The remaining group-level PROs will work under Diageo corporate
communications manager Kathryn Partridge, who continues to report to
Lipscomb.
Shepherd joined Guinness - one of the companies which merged to form
Diageo - six years ago in the treasury department. She moved into
Guinness’ communications department in 1994 and was promoted to her
current post when Diageo was formed almost two years ago.
Her time at Diageo has included building up the in-house function,
communicating the launch of its new corporate identity and tackling
issues like the closure of company plants in Scotland.
She said: ’My departure is perfectly amicable. I now want something more
demanding.’
