Senior Appointment

Diageo PLC
20 February 2001

DIAGEO NAMES DASBURG AS BURGER KING CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Diageo plc has today announced the appointment of John Dasburg to the position
of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Burger King
Corporation, the world's number two quick service restaurant business.

For the past 10 years Dasburg has been President and Chief Executive Officer
of Northwest Airlines, the world's fourth largest airline. Before joining
Northwest he spent a decade with Marriott. He is one of the most respected
business leaders in the US. He has announced his resignation and will formally
join Burger King no later than 1 April 2001.  He will replace Colin Storm, who
has been acting CEO since August 2000.

During Dasburg's tenure as President and CEO of Northwest Airlines, Northwest
established its reputation for operational excellence, experienced consistent
and profitable growth and became known as a strategic innovator.  Dasburg is
credited with successfully leading Northwest through the U.S. industry's
difficult years of the 1990s.

Dasburg's career has focused on the hospitality and service industries. Before
joining Northwest in 1989, he held a series of senior positions with the
Marriott Corporation.  His Marriott career included postings as CFO of the
Corporation and President of the lodging division.  During that time he also
had responsibility for the corporation's successful hotel restaurant operations

As part of its strategic realignment behind beverage alcohol, in June 2000
Diageo announced that it was developing the option of a separation of Burger
King from Diageo, including the possibility of a partial or full flotation at
a future date.  Over the next five years and beyond Dasburg has the ability both
to deliver operating performance improvement and to lead Burger King through
this separation process.

Announcing the appointment Paul Walsh, Diageo's Group Chief Executive said:

'This is a most significant appointment.  We are delighted to have attracted
one of North America's most respected and successful executives to head Burger
King. John Dasburg's record at Northwest Airlines is one of the textbook
business success stories of recent years.  He is one of the most admired
business leaders in the US today.  From that experience he brings a unique
insight into the effective management of relationships with key business
partners, and experience in energizing the business around a common vision for
growth.  From his career with Marriott he brings significant experience of the
restaurant and foodservice industry, which we will benefit from as he leads
Burger King's turnaround.

'It has been quite a wait but we have got a great result.  In making this
appointment we conducted the most thorough executive search possible.  We
sought opinions from the financial and business communities, and by every test
John Dasburg emerged as the strongest possible candidate.  He is a very
experienced executive who will bring enormous energy and confidence to Burger
King and I am confident that John is the best person to implement an effective
turnaround and drive the business performance.'

John Dasburg said:

'In accepting the challenge to lead Burger King I will fulfil a lifelong
ambition to run a restaurant business.  This business faces real challenges in
satisfying consumers' ever-increasing demands for improved products and
services at affordable prices, and in re-igniting the enthusiasm and
collaboration essential in a franchise community.  That said, Burger King has
huge potential. Customers love its products, and its brand is one of the most
recognised in the world.  This is the platform from which over the next few
years we will create a world leading business.'

Dasburg also said:

'I was raised in Miami and it is great to return home.'


Media enquiries       Kathryn B Partridge       [phone]
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Investor enquiries    Catherine James           [phone]
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Note to editors:
Diageo plc

Diageo, a world-leading premium drinks company, was formed in December 1997
through the merger of Guinness and GrandMet.  Diageo has an outstanding
portfolio of world famous consumer brands including Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker,
Tanqueray, Guinness, J&B, Baileys, Malibu and Burger King. Diageo employs some
70,000 people across more than 200 markets worldwide.

In June 2000 Diageo announced its intention to move towards a separation of
its Burger King business.  In July 2000, the company announced the proposed
combination of its Pillsbury food business with General Mills of the US. In
exiting food, Diageo's future is strategically aligned behind its premium
drinks business in the beverage alcohol sector.  For more information about
Diageo (LSE:  DGE, NYSE: DEO), please visit www.diageo.com

John Dasburg

John H Dasburg has a bachelor's degree in engineering, a master's degree in
business administration and a law degree, all from the University of Florida.
He served three years in the US Navy, with one year in Vietnam.
Dasburg is active in civic affairs and serves as a director of a number of
not-for-profit enterprises.  He was appointed by President George Herbert Walker
Bush to the White House Fellows Committee.

Dasburg is married with two children. He and his family currently live in
Edina, Minnesota, but are soon to return to Miami, Florida.

Burger King Corporation

Burger King Corporation created the American icon, the HOME OF THE WHOPPER, in
1957. The company and its franchisees operate more than 11,340 restaurants in
all 50 US states, and 58 markets around the world, with more than 92% of
BURGER KING restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees.
Since the company's founding in Miami in 1954, the BURGER KING brand has
become recognised for great flame-broiled taste and HAVE IT YOUR WAY food
customisation.  In fiscal year 2000, the BURGER KING system had system-wide
sales of $11.4 billion.  For more information about the BURGER KING system,
please visit the company's website at www.burgerking.com