Javier Ferrán | |
Birth Name: | Francisco Javier Ferrán Larraz |
Nationality: | Spanish |
Education: | University of Barcelona ESADE University of Miami |
Occupation: | Businessman |
Chairman, Diageo | |
Term: | January 2017- |
Predecessor: | Franz Humer |
Boards: | Diageo Lion Capital LLP Associated British Foods Agrolimen |
Francisco Javier Ferrán Larraz (born August 1956) is a Spanish businessman.[1] He was president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Bacardi from 2003 to 2004.[2] [3]
Ferrán has been the chairman of Diageo since January 2017, when Franz Humer retired.[4] [5] His Diageo tenure was renewed in 2023 for three further years and is set to expire in October 2025.[6] Ferrán also chairs British Airways' parent company, International Consolidated Airlines Group.[7]
Ferrán was born in August 1956.[8] He graduated from the University of Barcelona and received a BA and MBA from ESADE, in Barcelona.[1] [2] He later earned an MA in Computer Information Systems from the University of Miami in 1984.[1]
From 1979 to 1984, he worked for Lloyds TSB, including two years as vice President of the Miami, Florida branch.[1] He joined Martini & Rossi in 1985, where he later served as Managing Director.[1] He joined Bacardi in 1992, and served as regional president for Europe, Middle East and Africa from 1994.[1] [2] He served as president and CEO from March 2003 to November 2004.[1] [2] [9] During his time at Bacardi, he oversaw the acquisition of Grey Goose vodka.[10]
Since 2019, he has served as an operating partner with BlackRock's private equity fund. He was previously a partner of the London-based private equity firm Lion Capital LLP from 2005 to 2019.[1] [2] [3] He has been a director at SABMiller.[11] He is also on the board of directors of Associated British Foods and Agrolimen.[3]