Diageo has revealed Aileen Keyes will take up a newly created position of head of alcohol in society, Diageo GB & Europe, following Mark Baird's departure from the business next month.
Keyes, current head of alcohol in society Diageo Europe, will take up the combined GB & Europe position when she returns from maternity leave in August this year.
Baird leaves Diageo following a 28-year stint with the business as part of a 40-year career in the drinks industry.
Thanking Baird for all his "incredible hard work and dedication" over the years, Diageo said:
"Mark leaves an outstanding legacy in the number of quality programmes that he established in order to help ensure that alcohol is consumed responsibly in the UK."
Last week, Baird was awarded a special recognition award at the National Pubwatch annual conference.
The award was handed to Baird to thank him for supporting the organisation for the past five years, said chairman Steve Baker, adding Baird "really understood" the pub and drinks trade.
"We could not let him leave without us showing our appreciation."
Baird said: "It means a lot to be recognised by an organisation I admire so much for the great work it does through an army of willing and very capable volunteers and I'm delighted that Diageo has committed to continue with its sponsorship of the National Pubwatch Awards."