NORWALK, Conn., July 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo North America has been named to Diversity MBA's prestigious "50 Out Front for Diversity Leadership" list of the best places in the country for women and diverse managers to work. This is the seventh consecutive year that Diageo has been awarded this distinction by Diversity MBA, a national leadership organization.

Ranking 13^th overall, up from a ranking of 19^th in 2017, Diversity MBA also recognized Diageo North America as Best in Class for Workplace Inclusion & Retention and Board Diversity.

For the 2018 "50 Out Front" list, Diversity MBA evaluated more than 650 companies on criteria including representation, board diversity, recruitment, workplace inclusion, retention, succession planning and accountability. Diversity MBA's Inclusive Leadership Index identifies companies for Best in Class recognition that have demonstrated consistent and excellent systems, practices, metrics and impact.

Diageo North America was also among the 73 organizations that earned a score of at least 65 percent and a place on this year's Diversity Best Practices (DBP) Inclusion Index. A division of Working Mother Media, DBP unveiled its second annual Inclusion Index which is based on three criteria: diversity and inclusion practices in recruitment, retention, and advancement; organizational culture; and demographic transparency.

"At Diageo we are proud of our commitments toward building a diverse organization and inclusive culture. To be included in both prestigious indices affirms our ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity as core to our values," said Alessandra Ginante, Diageo North America's Executive Vice President, Human Resources. "Our values and purpose set the conditions for us to respect the unique contribution each person brings."

Pamela McElvane, CEO of Diversity MBA and publisher of Diversity MBA Magazine, said, "It is important to recognize the effort required to drive results for implementing diversity and inclusion strategies."

These recognitions from Diversity MBA and Diversity Best Practices are part of a growing list of awards Diageo's North American business has earned for its commitment to inclusion and diversity. Additional recent honors include:

2018 – Diageo earned 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Annual Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ Workplace Equality for the 10th consecutive year.
2018 – Diageo received the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Award.
2018 – Diageo listed as a Top Company for Executive Women by National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) for eighth year.
2017 – Diageo named one of Working Mother Magazine's "100 Best Companies" for the ninth consecutive year.
2017 – Diageo ranked 35^th on Forbes Global 2000 Top Regarded Companies.
2017 – Diageo listed on Great Place to Work® Top 25 Best Global Companies for fourth consecutive year.

In addition to inclusion and diversity, social responsibility and environmental sustainability are core to Diageo's values. Diageo cares passionately about people enjoying its brands responsibly, and reducing alcohol related harm in society through its own Alcohol in Society programs and collaborative partnerships. Diageo is recognized as a global leader in environmental sustainability and its progress and commitments to tackle climate change have been independently recognized around the world.

About Diversity MBA Publishing
DMBA Publishing publishes DiversityMBA Magazine, a bimonthly publication, Diversity Business Review (DBR), white papers and blogs. Our publications reach more than 1.9 million worldwide, print and online. For more information, visit www.diversitymbamagazine.com or download our free mobile application DiversityMBA through Google Play. The app is available for all mobile devices.

About Diversity Best Practices
Diversity Best Practices, a division of Working Mother Media, is the preeminent organization for diversity thought leaders to share best practices and develop innovative solutions for culture change. Through research, benchmarking, publications and events, DBP offers members information and strategies on how to implement, grow, measure and create first-in-class diversity programs.

About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange DEO and the London Stock Exchange DGE and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo NA.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Andrew Turner, Diageo
203.229.4339

Kristen Crofoot, Diageo
203.229.4223

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SOURCE Diageo North America