New board appointment on heels of Diageo results

Drinks group Diageo has appointed Jonathan Symonds to its board with effect from May 1 this year.

Symonds is currently the chief financial officer of AstraZeneca plc, and his appointment brings to seven the number of Diageo's independent non-executive directors.

He will take his place on the audit committee, remuneration committee and nomination committee and will replace Keith Oates as chairman of the audit committee at the company's annual general meeting on October 20.

Commenting today, Diageo chairman Lord Blithe said: "I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to the Diageo Board. He brings a different perspective to our boardroom and we are very much looking forward to working with him."

Diageo had earlier announced a 6% rise in half-yearly profits to £1.2bn (€1.8bn).