MSPs to quiz Diageo chief

Published on Friday 12 March 2010 21:57

THE head of drinks giant Diageo is to appear before MSPs after the firm's decision to axe 900 jobs last year.

Holyrood's economy, energy and tourism committee will quiz the firm's managing director in Scotland, Bryan Donaghey, on Wednesday, on the restructuring plans, along with Whyte & Mackay chief executive John Beard.

Committee convener Iain Smith said: "There have been widespread job losses and plant closures in some parts of the industry and there are more uncertain times ahead.

"The committee is keen to get a grasp of the current situation, to bring together the industry's key players to hear first-hand about the ups and downs of recent months and to assess the way ahead."

The lay-offs included 700 at Diageo's Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock and about 200 in Glasgow, although the firm did pledge to create 400 new jobs in Fife.