Saller (pictured) is leaving Diageo to build a portfolio career, focused on leadership development, executive coaching and non-executive roles.

Cristina Diezhandino, global category director scotch and managing director for reserve, Diageo’s luxury brands business, has been promoted to chief marketing officer, effective 1 July 2020.

Saller started at Diageo in 1999 as the GB marketing director in 1999. She was appointed CMO in 2013. She was awarded a CBE in The Queen’s 2020 Honours list for services to business and equality.

She is president of the Marketing Society and an active board member and coach for the Marketing Academy.

Ivan Menezes, chief executive, Diageo, said: “Syl has always held herself and colleagues to the highest standards while showing great empathy for our people and their success. We are all hugely grateful for her leadership impact in delivering Diageo’s performance and building our reputation as a world class consumer marketing company.”

Saller added: “Deciding to leave and embark on the next stage of my career is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. Diageo is the most incredible company, with people who are talented, committed, and passionate. My goal is to go out into the world and develop more of those people. I am very proud of what I’m leaving behind – a strong function that is committed to getting better by learning and growing themselves. I’m even more thrilled that Cristina has been appointed our new CMO – she is a remarkable leader, driven by both performance and creativity.”