From Smirnoff to strawberries: Walsh lands new role has Compass chairmanship on the menu

Paul Walsh, the mastermind behind the global expansion of the Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker maker Diageo, is expected to take the chair at the caterer Compass as he retires from the drinks giant next year.

He will replace Sir Roy Gardner, who is stepping down from the £15bn business which serves up four billion meals a year, including strawberries and cream to tennis fans at Wimbledon next week.

Diageo last month announced a handover from Mr Walsh to Ivan Menezes, who has been groomed for the top by running the group's most profitable division in America.

Mr Walsh is already a non-executive director at Unilever.