Directorate Change

Diageo PLC
30 March 2005



                                                                   30 March 2005




FRANZ B. HUMER TO JOIN THE DIAGEO BOARD



Diageo plc announced today the appointment of Dr Franz B. Humer, Chairman and
CEO of Roche, to the Diageo board, effective 1 April 2005.



His appointment brings to seven the number of Diageo's  independent
non-executive directors. He will be appointed to the Audit Committee,
Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee.



Commenting on the appointment, Lord Blyth said:

'Franz is a highly respected international businessman and brings a variety of
highly relevant complementary skills and experience.  We are delighted to
welcome him to the Diageo board.'



                                    -ends -



Diageo media enquiries to:

Isabelle Thomas [phone] [e-mail]



Diageo investor relations enquiries to

Catherine James [phone] [e-mail]


Roche media enquiries to:

Roche Group Media Office

[phone]        [e-mail]





Notes to Editor:

1. Diageo's chairman is James Blyth. Other non-executive directors are: Lord
Hollick (Senior Independent Director and chairman of the Remuneration
Committee), Maria Lilja, William Shanahan, Jonathan Symonds (chairman of the
Audit Committee), Todd Stitzer and Paul Walker. Executive members of the board
are Paul Walsh (CEO), Nick Rose (CFO).


2. Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business. With its global
vision, and local marketing focus, Diageo brings to consumers an outstanding
collection of beverage alcohol brands across the spirits, wine and beer
categories including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, J&B, Cuervo,
Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards
wines. Diageo trades in some 180 countries around the world and is listed on
both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).
Diageo had a market capitalisation of c. £22.6 billion as of the close of
business of the London Stock Exchange on Tuesday, 29 March 2005.  For more
information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at
www.diageo.com





3. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading
research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and
diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the early
detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes
on a broad range of fronts to improving people's health and quality of life.
Roche is a world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of medicines for
cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 2004 sales by the
Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 21.7 billion Swiss francs, while the
Diagnostics Division posted sales of 7.8 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs
roughly 65,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic
alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in
Genentech and Chugai.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange