Brendan O'Grady | Influence 100
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Brendan O'Grady

Global Brand & Communications Director
Diageo
UK

 

In September last year, Brendan O’Grady stepped into big shoes at drinks giant Diageo, taking on the global brand and communications leadership role from another of our Influence 100, Dominic Redfearn, who left after 16 years to lead strategic communications at Shell.

O’Grady joined Diageo from Guardian Media Group, where he led communications for more than six years and was promoted to global communications and marketing officer at the end of 2022. His appointment came after the owner of the Guinness, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker brand had another big leadership change, as Debra Crew moved to the chief executive role after the death of Ivan Menezes.

A former Downing Street, Home Office and Foreign Office press spokesperson, O’Grady was previously at Pearson for nearly seven years, latterly as SVP, corporate and financial communications.