Dear Shareholders,
As I reflect on the past year, I?m pleased with the progress made
by your Company in executing its growth strategy with a strong focus on delivering
value-added offerings, driving commercial excellence, empowering its people and supporting
the communities while ensuring doing business the right way in accordance with
Diageo?s Values and Code of Business Conduct. These efforts underpin our conviction
in delivering sustainable long-term value for all stakeholders.
The operating landscape presented several challenges, characterised by
inflationary pressures on consumers and subdued demand as the year progressed. Against
this backdrop, your Company has delivered a resilient performance, reaffirming the
effectiveness and success of its strategy. The steadfast focus on continuous improvement
and productivity enhancements further contributed to its achievements.
DELIVERING VALUE
Your Company continued to build on the strong foundation to deliver
sustained double-digit growth by focussing on reshaping its portfolio, building an
organisation for the future and accelerating the ESG agenda.
Placing the consumers at the forefront, your Company continued to
introduce innovations and renovations into the market. McDowell?s & Co
Distiller?s Batch Indian Single Malt is a tribute to the rich legacy of one of
India?s most loved brands. Our Company?s Make in India offering, Godawan, has
received numerous international awards, a testament to its commitment to creating
world-class spirits that embody luxury and craftsmanship. Your Company introduced its
global offering Don Julio in India and acquired a minority stake in Inspired Hospitality
Private Limited (owners of Brand Pistola), a premium agave brand in
line with its strategy.
During the year, your Company sustained its efforts to build an
organisation of the future by investing in its talent, accelerating its digital journey,
and deriving greater efficiency and effectiveness from its investments. Your Company
introduced various industry leading initiatives to support growth and development, and
further drive inclusion and diversity across all levels.
Your Company has made good progress in its Society 2030 goals.
Initiatives like the removal of mono cartons, increasing the use of recycled content in
packaging, launching a micro-enterprise initiative to support women farmers in Nashik and
training 100 Persons with Disability for roles in the hospitality sector underscore our
commitment to sustainability and championing inclusion and diversity. During the year,
your Company returned to dividend distribution after nearly a decade enabled by the
successful turnaround of the Company to sustained earnings growth and profitability.
I?m happy to share that the Board of Directors approved an interim dividend of Rs4
per share. Further, the Board recommended a final dividend of Rs5 per share subject to
Shareholders? approval for the financial year 2023-24. We would like to extend our
gratitude to our steadfast investors for their continued support.
LOOKING AHEAD
At Diageo India, we are proud of everything we do, from the progressive
brands we build to the culture we foster, to being responsive to consumer, community and
societal needs. Your Company continues to remain deeply committed to building a stronger
and future-focussed organisation. Going forward, your Company?s priority remains to
sustain its growth momentum by increasing investment in its brands, capitalising on
evolving market trends, exploring new engines of growth and unlocking efficiency across
the value chain. Despite facing short-term challenges like inflationary pressures and
subdued demand, we are optimistic about the mid-to-long-term growth prospects, driven by
favourable macros like India?s robust economic growth, rise in premiumisation and
increasing aspiration for new celebratory and socialising experiences. In closing, I want
to express my sincere appreciation to my fellow board members for their invaluable
guidance. I would also like to extend my gratitude to our shareholders for their continued
confidence in our Company. With your support, Diageo India is well-positioned to continue
its growth journey.
Warm Regards,
Mahendra Kumar Sharma
Chairperson