Diageo to slash Italian workforce to about 30 staff amid commercial downturn

Diageo, the global beverage group, plans to dramatically reduce its Italian operations. The collective lay‑off procedure targets 96 of the 127 employees currently working at its Milan office, leaving roughly thirty staff members, including senior management, in place. The move follows a recent strike call for an eight‑hour protest on August 5, with workers gathering outside the Assolombarda headquarters.

The downsizing comes after a broader restructuring that saw the transfer of the Santa Vittoria d’Alba plant to NewPrinces, reducing the Italian headcount from about 500 a year ago. Diageo’s Managing Director for Italy, Caoimhe McCabe, announced the plan while the company continues to manage brands such as Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys and Smirnoff in the country.