Diageo Scotland

This article is part of the Spinwatch public health oriented Alcohol Portal project.

Diageo is one of the largest global alcohol traders. According to its website the firm can trace its Scottish origins back to 1627 despite only forming as a company in 1987 following the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness. The company uses the history of the many firms it has acquired since becoming a powerful global trader. They claim "The spirit of Scotland has run through Diageo’s global business for almost 400 years and today we remain as committed as ever to growing the important role Scotland plays in our business"

Company records show that in Scotland the company have four holding companies, thirty-eight subsidiaries and employ two thousand eight hundred and forty two people.

Diageo played a prominent role in the 2005 G8 Gleneagles Summit, unsurprisingly given their level of involvement within Scottish political circles (See Diageo for details of their activities outwith Scotland and Corporate Watch report, 'Bringing the G8 Home: Corporate Involvement in and around the G8 in Scotland 2005). Diageo representatives participate in a wide range of governmental activities including membership on a number of groups and committees across the globe in Scotland these include:

• Partnership Agreement: Scottish Executive and the Alcohol Industry
• Scotch Whisky Association
• Scottish Beer and Pub Association
• Wine & Spirit Trade Association
• Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers
• Scottish Business in the Community
• Scottish Politician of the Year Awards Diageo co-sponsor with The Herald a significant Scottish newspaper.