Ex-Tesco Chief Sir Dave Lewis to Lead Diageo in 2026 as CEO

Diageo has named Sir Dave Lewis its new CEO and Executive Director, with the appointment taking effect from 1 January 2026.

The former Tesco Group CEO will be responsible for guiding Diageo through a period of evolving consumer trends and performance issues.

The move follows the unforeseen departure of the previous CEO, Debra Crew, in July 2025, which left Diageo without a clear succession plan.

Nik Jhangiani, the Chief Financial Officer, has served as Interim CEO since Crew’s departure and is set to continue in the role until the end of the year before returning to his CFO position.

Dave is expected to leverage his cross-industry experience in global consumer businesses to address Diageo's downturn in performance.

What Does the New EU Soil Health Law Mean for Food Industry?

The European Union has adopted its first legislation on soil health, a landmark moment for environmental policy that will impact the agricultural and food production sectors. The European Parliament approved the Soil Monitoring Directive on 23 October 2025.

The legislation establishes a framework to assess soil health across the EU with the goal of achieving healthy soils by 2050. This follows a previous attempt for a soil directive, which was withdrawn in 2014.

The need for regulation is clear, as estimates suggest over 60% of European soils are unhealthy. Ongoing degradation of arable land costs the EU economy more than €50bn annually due to poor crop yields and environmental service loss.

The IGD Unites Food Sector on Supply Chain Sustainability

A new initiative from the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) seeks to create a more resilient food supply chain through the introduction of its Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework.

Developed in collaboration with major manufacturers and industry stakeholders the framework provides guidance for businesses to better incorporate sustainability into their operations and clarify key priorities.

This work could protect the future of the food and drinks industry by standardising approaches to complex challenges.

The IGD, an impartial body, working to connect the agrifood supply chain launched the framework to build on previous work.

How is Uber Eats Using Tech to Tackle Festive Demands?

An increasing reliance on doorstep delivery for festive shopping is reshaping consumer habits and placing new demands on retailers.

Data from Uber Eats indicates a notable trend, with the platform reporting a nearly 20% increase in grocery orders on Christmas Eve last year.

In response, Uber Eats is deploying a range of tools designed to support both its customers and merchant partners through the high-pressure holiday season.

The behaviour of shoppers during December 2023 highlighted a clear trend toward convenience. According to Uber Eats, entire Christmas dinners were ordered for delivery, and potatoes were the most frequently ordered grocery item on the app.

During the same period, searches for items such as pigs in blankets, Champagne and mince pies doubled. On Christmas Day alone, users searched for more than three tons of turkey.

Mondelēz International on Navigating Cocoa Inflation

Mondelēz International, the parent company of brands such as Oreo and Cadbury, has reported its third-quarter results for 2025, revealing solid top-line growth while managing the effects of record-high cocoa cost inflation. The company has acknowledged that the last quarter represents the peak costs for the year.

Dirk Van de Put, CEO and Chair of Mondelēz International, says: “Although we anticipate challenging conditions to continue in some markets, we are encouraged by new moderation in cocoa prices as well as promising signs for a strong cocoa crop this fall.”