October 1, 2008

Hunt-Scanlon Names Paul Walsh of Diageo Plc as 2008 Global Human Capital Leadership Award Recipient

Greenwich, CT, October 1, 2008 - Hunt-Scanlon Advisors, the leading provider of news, information and analysis on the executive search and human capital industries, announced today that it will present Paul Walsh, chief executive officer at Diageo plc, with the 2008 Hunt-Scanlon Global Human Capital Leadership Award.

Mr. Walsh is the third recipient of the award, which is given to a chief executive of a globally integrated corporation who has a distinguished record for placing people at the center of the corporate agenda and, in turn, has positioned their organization for long-term sustainable success. Past winners include Todd Stitzer of Cadbury Schweppes and Dr. Jean-Pierre Garnier of GlaxoSmithKline. Hunt-Scanlon will present the award at its annual London Human Capital Conference, "Building an Enduring Edge," to be held November 12-13 at the Institute of Directors.

Since joining Diageo plc as chief executive in 2000, Mr. Walsh has put a strong focus on human capital management. Leading by example, Mr. Walsh encourages honest, candid and open communication, with direct and personal involvement of hiring key employees. Through his excellent communication, accessibility and exemplary leadership style, Mr. Walsh has created a unified vision of his organization’s values that engages employees and inspires them with a strong sense of purpose. His leadership style has resulted in an organization that enjoys high levels of customer satisfaction and superior shareholder value.

Paul Walsh, CEO of Diageo plc, said, “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of everyone at Diageo. As a company we recognise human capital as one of our biggest assets, and we have consequently always put talent management at the heart of our growth strategy. Diageo’s people drive our success.”

Employing over 22,000 people and trading in over 180 markets, Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business. Key brands include: Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Baileys, J&B, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, and Tanqueray.
Mr. Walsh became chief executive officer of Diageo plc in September 2000, having been chief operating officer since January 2000. Mr. Walsh was chief executive of The Pillsbury Company from 1992 to 1999. Prior to this, he served in a number of management positions since joining GrandMet’s brewing division in 1982. He was appointed to their board in 1995 and joined the Diageo plc board in 1997.

Mr. Walsh is also a non-executive director of Centrica plc, a non-executive director of FedEx Corporation in the USA, and chairman of the Governors of Henley Management College.

For more information about Paul Walsh and the Hunt-Scanlon Global Human Capital Leadership Award, visit www.huntscanlonconferences.com.

ABOUT HUNT-SCANLON
Hunt-Scanlon Advisors is the leading and most-respected source of news, information and analysis on the human capital industry for executives in human resources, recruitment, diversity and professional services. Through our print, interactive and conference divisions, we cover human capital strategies and trends of the Fortune 1000 and the companies that deliver them valuable recruitment, talent management and diversity products and services that help them succeed. Our information resources are used by executives, researchers and analysts for market intelligence and for making purchasing decisions.

For more company information, visit us at www.hunt-scanlon.com or email Margot@hunt-scanlon.com.

About Diageo Plc
Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business. With its global vision, and local marketing focus, Diageo brings to consumers an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across the spirits, wine and beer categories including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, J&B, Cuervo, Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo trades in some 180 countries around the world and is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com.