Rebecca Duncan

Brand Change & Innovation Manager – Core Spirits

Diageo | March 2025 – Present

Lead a team of Project Managers responsible for delivering the commercialisation of innovation, renovation and strategic change programmes across Diageo's Core Spirits portfolio.

Key Achievements

• Provide leadership and direction to a team of Project Managers delivering a diverse portfolio of innovation, renovation and supply change programmes.
• Drive effective governance, prioritisation and decision making across the innovation portfolio, ensuring programmes remain aligned with business objectives.
• Bring together technical, commercial and operational teams to solve complex delivery challenges, maintaining momentum across critical innovation programmes.
• Partner with R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, manufacturing sites and third-party suppliers to deliver innovation safely, efficiently and at pace.
• Directed the transition programme following the divestment of Santa Vittoria, establishing new ways of working with the new brand owner while successfully transferring products into Diageo manufacturing sites with minimal disruption to supply.

Rebuilt and developed the team following the sale of the Santa Vittoria site, maintaining capability and successfully delivering the full innovation pipeline throughout the transition.

Led Diageo's Global Regulatory and Technical Equity function, managing a global team of 15 specialists responsible for enabling innovation and protecting brand equity across international markets.

Key Achievements

• Developed Diageo's global regulatory strategy, introducing a horizon-scanning capability to proactively identify emerging regulatory risks and opportunities.
• Built and developed a high-performing global team of 15 regulatory and technical specialists.
• Represented Diageo on the spiritsEUROPE Spirits Drink Regulation Committee, collaborating with industry bodies including the Scotch Whisky Association to help shape regulatory guidance.
• Developed global Geographical Indication policies and governance, enabling innovation while protecting legal and brand requirements.
• Implemented Diageo's global digital labelling platform, providing consumers with ingredient and nutritional information through QR technology.
• Established regulatory frameworks supporting the launch of new-to-world non-alcoholic beverages.
• Provided global Brand Equity leadership, ensuring both internal and external manufacturing sites consistently adhered to brand standards and product specifications.
• Supported acquisitions and divestments through regulatory due diligence and transition planning.

• Conducted regulatory compliance reviews, checking raw material and recipe product data against standards for over 100 countries.
• Identified opportunities and solutions for effective product launches, meeting consumer and business expectations
• Led horizon scanning and regulatory change impact assessments for Asia Pacific and Europe , communicating key requirements to stakeholders.
• Influenced regulators to adapt legislation and standards
• Created and implemented a global liquid compliance process to allow for efficient, auditable compliance checks, increasing speed to market and scalability for innovation.

• Led the development of new packaging, including labels, cartons and glassware for innovations and renovations of global spirit brands.
• Managed cross-functional teams to successfully deliver projects, collaborating with innovation, brands, production teams and external partners from concept stage to launch.
• Evaluated and established production partnerships with co-packers, ensuring that manufacturing capabilities met quality and brand requirements.
• Ensured adherence to project timelines, cost targets and budgets, while ensuring compliance with design specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Conducted regular risk assessments throughout the project lifecycle, proactively identifying potential challenges and implementing mitigation strategies.

Led the technical development and commercialisation of innovative spirits, Scotch whisky-based spirit drinks, vodka products and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages from concept through to commercial manufacture.

Key Achievements

• Delivered end-to-end liquid innovation programmes across spirits, Scotch whisky-based spirit drinks, vodka products and RTDs, from concept through pilot production and commercial manufacture.
• Led the liquid development and commercialisation of new-to-world products, including Captain Morgan Whiteand Smirnoff White Vodka, designing scalable formulations and manufacturing processes.
• Developed robust liquid formulations and manufacturing processes that consistently met quality, cost and operational requirements.
• Conducted product stability testing and developed product specifications to support successful global manufacture.
• Established Third-Party Operations in Russia, creating manufacturing capability for whisky- and rum-based spirit drinks while maintaining quality and regulatory compliance.
• Managed technical relationships with ingredient suppliers and third-party manufacturers to support successful product launches.
• Solved complex formulation and manufacturing challenges to improve process capability, product quality and manufacturing performance.

• Led engaging distillery tours for a diverse range of visitors, including journalists and whisky experts tailoring experiences to their knowledge and interests.
• Delivered whisky tastings, educating guests on flavour profiles and production processes.
• Managed the distillery retail shop, maintaining stock levels, and handling customer transactions to drive sales.
• Provided training and support to new staff, ensuring consistent service standards and enhancing the overall guest experience.