Diageo named one of "Best Workplaces in Canada" for 2010

Sole beverage alcohol company recognized on annual list

TORONTO, April 13 /CNW/ - Diageo Canada is pleased to announce that for the second consecutive year, it has been named one of the "Best Workplaces in Canada", and is the only beverage alcohol company on the list.

The honour was bestowed by the Great Place to Work(R) Institute Canada, which releases an annual ranking of the country's best workplaces. More than 200 companies were nominated and over 40,000 employees across the country were surveyed. This is the second year Diageo Canada has been recognized and is the sole beverage alcohol company recognized on this year's list.

"To be recognized as one of the best workplaces in Canada for a second year in a row makes us tremendously proud," says Debra Kelly-Ennis, President & CEO, Diageo Canada. "Diageo has also been recognized in a number of countries around the world, and this repeat designation further confirms that Diageo is a great company to work for."

As a global operation, Diageo has previously been recognized among the best workplaces in a number of countries, including Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Venezuela, Columbia and Brazil.

An essential part of Diageo's values and company culture is the belief that all employees have a responsibility to be Ambassadors of the responsible drinking and corporate citizenship agenda in the communities where they live and work.

"Our people are the heartbeat of Diageo. They bring our corporate culture and values to life every day and this award is a testament to the commitment, dedication and contribution of all employees," continues Kelly-Ennis. "Employee satisfaction, engagement, and investment towards people development continue to be Diageo's top priorities."

This is the fifth year the Great Place to Work Institute has published its Canadian listing. Employee response accounts for two-thirds of a company's score and measures the relationships between employees and management, their jobs/organization and other employees.

About Diageo

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About the Great Place to Work(R) Institute

Great Place to Work(R) Institute is a global research and management consultancy with expertise on workplace transformation and a presence in 40 countries worldwide. Our mission is to improve society by creating better workplaces. We are best-known for our global Best Workplaces Programme, which we produce in conjunction with prestigious media partners such as the Financial Times and Fortune. With over 3,800 organizations taking part in 40 national lists across the globe, the programme is the world's largest of its kind. We believe passionately that any company or organization can become a great place to work. Our mission is to help you do it.

For further information: Alanna Stone, Diageo Canada, T: [phone], E: [email protected]; Laura Modesto, Veritas Communications, T: [phone], E: [email protected]