At Diageo, leadership is not just about titles it’s about impact, innovation, and inclusivity. As a global leader in the beverage industry, Diageo has long championed gender diversity, ensuring that women have a strong voice at every level of the organisation.
Through strategic policies, mentorship programs, and an unwavering commitment to equity, the company continues to create an environment where women thrive and lead with confidence.
Today, we spotlight four exceptional women whose leadership is shaping the future of Diageo. Their journeys reflect resilience, vision, and the power of inclusive leadership. From driving business growth to fostering workplace excellence, these trailblazers exemplify Diageo’s commitment to empowering women and setting new standards for leadership in the industry.
Meet the women who are raising the bar. Diageo appoints Aridegbe Ogundipe-Alatise as Head of Revenue Growth Management for West and Central Africa.
Diageo, a global leader in premium beverages, has named Aridegbe Ogundipe-Alatise as Head of Revenue Growth Management (RGM) for West and Central Africa. This appointment underscores Diageo’s commitment to financial excellence, commercial innovation, and gender inclusion in leadership.
With over 15 years of experience in financial strategy, revenue management, and business transformation, Aridegbe has built a reputation for driving data-driven insights that enhance profitability and commercial decision-making. She has played a crucial role in shaping Diageo’s pricing and investment strategies.
During her tenure at Guinness Nigeria, Aridegbe led RGM strategies that strengthened market share and improved margins, earning her the prestigious Diageo Long Term Incentive Plan award in 2023. Prior to that, at Unilever Nigeria, she contributed to the company’s transition to SAP, demonstrating her ability to drive digital transformation in financial operations.
As Head of RGM, West and Central Africa, Aridegbe will focus on enhancing pricing strategies to optimise market competitiveness, strengthening trade investment efficiency to maximise value creation as well as implementing strategic financial models for sustainable revenue growth.
A dedicated mentor and high-performance leader, Aridegbe is committed to developing financial talent and fostering innovation-driven financial strategies. Her expertise in business intelligence tools ensures efficiency in planning and execution.
On her new role, Aridegbe Ogundipe-Alatise stated, “I am honored to lead Revenue Growth Management for Diageo West and Central Africa at this critical time. The region presents vast opportunities, and I am committed to driving financial excellence, optimising commercial investments, and delivering long-term growth.”
With Aridegbe at the helm, Diageo’s financial strategy in West and Central Africa is set to achieve new heights, reinforcing its leadership in the premium beverage market.
Diageo has also appointed Kemi Longe as Portfolio Director, Reserve for Southern, West, and Central Africa, reinforcing its commitment to luxury brand growth, premiumization, and consumer engagement across key markets.
A track record in brand and commercial strategy coupled with nearly 15 years in the FMCG industry, Kemi is a transformational leader recognized for her expertise in brand strategy, revenue growth, and consumer engagement. She has held key leadership roles at Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and PZ Cussons, where she drove market expansion, revitalized brands, and pioneered product innovation.
At GSK, she spearheaded category-defining initiatives that accelerated consumer healthcare innovation and strengthened market share. At PZ Cussons, she led strategic campaigns that revitalised brands and established competitive advantages in high-growth markets. Her ability to combine data-driven insights with creative execution has set her apart as a visionary in brand and portfolio management.
Kemi’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Diageo, as it strengthens its presence in Africa’s luxury spirits market. Her deep understanding of competitive landscapes, commercial strategy, and operational efficiency will be instrumental in driving growth and consumer engagement in the region.
A strong advocate for conscious leadership and inclusive growth, Kemi has been recognized for her contributions to brand-building and talent development.
Speaking on her new role, Kemi Longe stated, “I am honored to lead Diageo’s Reserve portfolio across Southern, West, and Central Africa. This region holds incredible potential, and I look forward to delivering exceptional value to our consumers while contributing to the vibrant culture and economy of our markets.”
With Kemi at the helm, Diageo’s Reserve portfolio in Africa is poised for unprecedented growth and innovation, reinforcing the company’s leadership in the luxury spirits market.
Nwamaka Okey-Aguoru takes on the pivotal role as Head of HR for Diageo West and Central Africa: Driving People and Culture Transformation, where she will play a key role in shaping the people strategy, talent development, and culture transformation across the newly formed Southern, West, and Central Africa (SWC) business unit.
A proven HR Leader Driving Business Success with over five years at Diageo, Amaka has led transformative HR initiatives at Guinness Nigeria, driving internal promotions, employee engagement, and cultural transformation. In her previous role as Senior HR Business Partner, Commercial and Marketing, she achieved a 95% increase in internal promotions, strengthening Diageo’s commitment to talent growth, a rise in the employee engagement index from 72% (F20) to 94% (F24), fostering a high-performance culture.
Besides, she contributed to the development of the Guinness Nigeria 3C’s Culture Framework, enhancing team collaboration and passion for Diageo brands.
An experienced HR Professional with a vision for growth with over her 19-year career, Amaka has gained expertise in Business Partnering, Talent Management, Change Management, Industrial Relations, and Organizational Design. She has held leadership roles at British American Tobacco, MTN, and Ikeja Electric, where she played key roles in HR strategy, employee relations, and cultural transformation.
In her new role, Amaka will lead efforts to foster a people-centric culture focused on engagement, inclusion, and high performance, develop talent strategies to build a strong pipeline of future leaders as well as enhance organisational effectiveness, ensuring Diageo meets its business goals while championing diversity.
While reflecting on her appointment, Amaka Okey-Aguoru was full of excitements. “I am excited to step into this role and continue shaping a workplace where people thrive. West and Central Africa hold immense potential, and I look forward to creating an environment that empowers our teams to succeed, innovate, and grow together.”
With Amaka’s leadership, Diageo is well-positioned to drive a dynamic and inclusive people strategy that fuels long-term business success.
Strengthening its commercial leadership, Diageo has also named Ujunwa Chukwumah as Commercial Director, for reinforcing its commitment to business excellence, market expansion, and gender inclusion in leadership.
With over 17 years of experience in sales, business development, and market expansion across Africa, Ujunwa is a results-driven leader known for strategic execution and commercial innovation. She has successfully led initiatives in new market entry, distributor operations, and digital transformation.
Previously serving as General Manager, Mainstream Spirits & Ready-to-Serve, Ujunwa drove consecutive double-digit revenue growth in Nigeria’s mainstream spirits category, despite economic challenges. She also played a key role in Guinness Nigeria’s Route-to-Consumer (RTC) transformation, securing the company’s position as a market leader.
As Commercial Director, West Africa, Ujunwa will focus on operational Excellence: Developing high-performing commercial teams for sustained success, strengthening brand growth through strategic partnerships and market penetration, implementing financial strategies to optimise profitability, as well as expanding Diageo’s digital footprint and enhancing consumer engagement.
A Commitment to Market Expansion and Sustainability, Ujunwa has been instrumental in optimizing Diageo’s distributor operations and aligning commercial execution with sustainability goals. Her leadership in RTC redesign has helped expand consumer reach while maintaining strong trade partnerships.
A strong advocate for diversity and mentorship, Ujunwa has played a key role in developing future leaders at Diageo. She has led multiple talent development programs and has been recognized for her contributions to gender equity in commercial leadership.
On her appointment, Ujunwa Chukwumah stated, “It is a privilege to take on this role at such a transformative time for Diageo in West Africa. Our focus is on delivering sustained commercial excellence, expanding our market reach, and leveraging digital innovation to drive new growth opportunities.”
With Ujunwa’s leadership, Diageo’s commercial strategy in West Africa is set for significant advancement, reinforcing its position as a market leader in the region.
These appointments reaffirm Diageo’s commitment to fostering exceptional leadership and creating opportunities for women to thrive in influential roles. As they drive impactful change across the business, their achievements set a new benchmark for excellence, inspiring future generations of leaders to break barriers and redefine success.
