In her role as Chief Marketing and Innovation officer for Diageo plc Syl led all global marketing, media, design, innovation, R&D, and reserve—Diageo’s luxury division. Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business operating in 180 countries with a portfolio of more than 400 brands, including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Currently Syl is an Executive Coach for c-suite individuals, as well as doing marketing advisory work. She is President of the Marketing Society, sits on the board of the Marketing Academy, and is an Executive Coach for their Fellowship program. She has been a Non-Executive Director of Domino’s Pizza Group plc, on the executive committee of the World Federation of Advertisers, a Trustee for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and Chairman of Distill Venture’s Investment Committee.
Syl has been consistently recognized for her service to industry. She was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queens 2020 Honour list in recognition of her services to business and equality in the workplace. She has been Marketer of the Year and one of WFA’s Top 5 Global CMO’s, Debrett’s 500 Most Influential People in Britain, Campaign’s Top 5 Marketers, Ad Age’s Women to Watch, and Forbes 50 Most Influential CMOs.