Pension Fund

Updated:

Diageo UK Pension Plan

The Diageo UK Pension Plan was established in 1971 as the defined benefit scheme for Diageo plc's UK workforce. Diageo plc acts as the sponsoring employer and...

Diageo UK Pension Plan logo

Diageo UK Pension Plan

The Diageo UK Pension Plan was established in 1971 as the defined benefit scheme for Diageo plc's UK workforce. Diageo plc acts as the sponsoring employer and has transferred assets including General Mills shares to address funding gaps. The plan targets 7% of assets to private equity through commitments to funds such as Graphite Capital Partners VI and Pantheon vehicles. It also holds direct interests in asset-backed structures including Lakeside MWS Limited Liability Partnership and Lochside MWS Limited Partnership, both secured against whisky stocks in the United Kingdom. Geographic exposure centers on the UK and global secondaries markets. BlackRock Investment Management has served as investment manager since 2009. PwC has acted as auditor since 2023. The plan maintains a public equity position in General Mills transferred in 2004. Governance flows through Diageo Pension Trust Limited with oversight from Diageo plc board members including Sir John Manzoni. No independent investment committee or external LP club membership is disclosed.

General information

Firm type

Pension Fund

Year founded

1971

Location

Region

Europe

Country

United Kingdom

City

London

Corporate office

16 Great Marlborough Street, London, United Kingdom

Principals

Peter Richard Goshawk

Director of Diageo Pension Trust Limited

Sector focus

Private EquityConsumer Products

Frequently asked questions

Who runs investment decisions at Diageo UK Pension Plan?

Peter Richard Goshawk serves as director of the Diageo Pension Trust Limited. Diageo plc board members including Sir John Manzoni provide sponsor oversight. BlackRock Investment Management executes day-to-day portfolio management.

Does Diageo UK Pension Plan participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The plan has acted as limited partner in Graphite Capital Partners VI and Pantheon funds. It also maintains direct ownership in Lakeside MWS and Lochside MWS whisky-backed vehicles.

What investment stages does Diageo UK Pension Plan typically target?

Allocations include buyout, secondaries, and venture strategies through fund commitments. No direct early-stage seed activity is recorded.

Where does the underlying wealth come from?

The plan is funded by Diageo plc contributions and investment returns on behalf of UK employees. Asset transfers from the sponsor, such as General Mills shares in 2004, have supplemented contributions.

How is Diageo UK Pension Plan related to Diageo plc?

Diageo plc is the sponsoring employer. The plan operates as a separate trust with Diageo Pension Trust Limited as trustee.

Profile maintained by using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.

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