Diageo India Appoints Sameer Chugh as New General Counsel

• Sameer Chugh has been appointed as the new General Counsel for Diageo India, effective December 1, 2026.
• He will succeed Shobhana Nikam, who is stepping down for personal reasons on October 31, 2026, after a four-year tenure.
• Chugh will report directly to Diageo India's CEO & President and have a dotted line to the Global General Counsel.
• He brings over 30 years of legal expertise, including previous roles as Chief Legal Officer at Games24x7 and Group General Counsel at Bharti Group.
• Chugh will also join both the India Executive Committee and the Global Legal Leadership Team.

Lawyers advising clients who interact with Diageo India, or those considering future engagement with the company, should closely note this change as it may influence future legal strategy, risk management approaches, and the selection of external counsel.

Diageo India has announced a significant leadership transition within its legal department, confirming the appointment of Sameer Chugh as its new General Counsel. This pivotal change is set to take effect on December 1, 2026, marking a new chapter for the beverage giant's legal operations. Chugh will assume the responsibilities from Shobhana Nikam, who has decided to step down from her position for personal reasons. Ms. Nikam's departure is scheduled for October 31, 2026, concluding her four-year tenure with the company.

Operating from Bengaluru, Mr. Chugh's role will involve a direct reporting line to Praveen Someshwar, who holds the titles of CEO & President for Diageo India. In addition to this direct reporting, he will also maintain a dotted line reporting relationship with Randall Ingber, the Global General Counsel, ensuring alignment with worldwide legal strategies. His strategic importance within Diageo India is further highlighted by his forthcoming inclusion in both the India Executive Committee and the Global Legal Leadership Team, indicating a central role in shaping the company's governance and legal direction.

The newly appointed Sameer Chugh brings an impressive and extensive professional history to Diageo India, boasting over three decades of legal expertise cultivated across a diverse array of industries. His comprehensive background covers critical legal domains, including robust corporate governance frameworks, intricate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions, complex litigation management, and adept navigation of challenging regulatory affairs. This broad and deep experience positions him uniquely to address the multifaceted legal landscape that a major global beverage corporation like Diageo India encounters.

Before his Sameer Chugh appointment at Diageo India, he served as the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Games24x7, an online gaming enterprise, where he managed significant legal responsibilities. Prior to that, he held the influential position of Group General Counsel at Bharti Group, a conglomerate where he was instrumental in developing and overseeing the legal strategy for its numerous businesses operating across various jurisdictions. His distinguished career also includes senior leadership roles at other prominent organizations such as British Telecom, Essar Group, and Cummins, alongside valuable foundational experience gained from private practice at leading law firms, further solidifying his diverse legal acumen.

The appointment of Sameer Chugh as Diageo India General Counsel signifies a pivotal shift in the leadership of the company's legal department, with potential ramifications for its operational and strategic approaches. Given his extensive background in corporate governance, M&A, and regulatory affairs, this change could herald an evolution in how Diageo India manages its legal and compliance frameworks, particularly within the dynamic Indian market. This leadership transition is of particular relevance for all stakeholders, including external legal counsel, business partners, and regulatory bodies, who regularly engage with the company.

Lawyers advising clients who interact with Diageo India, or those considering future engagement with the company, should closely note this change as it may influence future legal strategy, risk management approaches, and the selection of external counsel.

This appointment signals a change in leadership for Diageo India's legal department. Lawyers advising clients who interact with Diageo India, or those considering engagement with the company, should note this change as it may influence future legal strategy, risk management approaches, and selection of external counsel.

Source: Original reporting on leadership changes at Diageo India.