Lord James Blyth of Rowington

Overview

Lord (James) Blyth of Rowington was appointed chairman of Diageo plc in July 2000, having been a non-executive director since January 1999. On 19 July 2007 Diageo announced that his appointment as chairman has been extended until 30 June 2008, when he will be succeeded by Dr Franz Humer. He was formerly chief executive and then chairman of The Boots Company PLC, group chief executive of the Plessey Company and head of Defence Sales at the Ministry of Defence. He is also a non-executive director of Anixter Inc in the USA and a senior adviser to Greenhill & Co Inc (having previously been a vice chairman).