Diageo India is among the country’s leading beverage alcohol companies with an outstanding collection of premium brands.
In a career landscape often marked by frequent shifts, Abhay Dabholkar stands as a beacon of unwavering dedication and transformative leadership. With over 25 years immersed in the dynamic alco-bev industry, and a remarkable 15-year tenure with Diageo India, his journey is a powerful testament to resilience, adaptability, and the profound impact of a truly people-first culture. Currently at the helm of critical manufacturing operations in Nashik and Goa, Abhay’s narrative isn't just about professional ascent; it's about pioneering change from within.
Abhay’s story began after his MBA from Sydenham Mumbai University, swiftly drawing him into the world of spirits. His initial association with Diageo India dates to its formative years as a standalone entity – a period he recalls fondly as "a fantastic time." Yet, destiny had a compelling detour planned. A move to United Spirits was followed by a remarkable full circle: when Diageo acquired United Spirits around 2013, Abhay found himself back where his roots began. "That is how I became a part of Diageo again," he shares, reflecting on this pivotal moment. This return thrust him into a crucial role in the due diligence audit, traversing the length and breadth of India to scrutinize 46 sites. From Aurangabad to the Head Office, followed by a stint as Manufacturing Cluster Head – West overseeing third-party operations, his career journey has spanned multiple roles and geographies. Assignments across USL Nacharam, USL Aurangabad, USL Baramati, and more recently Nashik and Goa reflect a dynamic, high-impact career shaped by diverse responsibilities and complex operational challenges, including rapid redeployments during critical business situations.
Abhay’s perspective is shaped by his experience across two important phases of United Spirits’ journey—its strong legacy foundations and its subsequent alignment with DIAGEO’s global ways of working. He highlights how DIAGEO’s people-centric and forward-looking approach brought fresh energy, encouraging openness to new ideas, experimentation, and innovation. This infusion created momentum and enthusiasm around new product development and modern ways of operating. At the same time, United Spirits had long benefited from a well-defined, structured decision-making framework that ensured scale, consistency, and operational discipline. From around 2016–17, the integration of DIAGEO’s global perspective helped build on these strengths, ushering in an evolution marked by greater agility, modernization, automation, and a growing comfort with challenging established norms—while preserving the robustness of USL’s core culture.
Reflecting on his long and fulfilling journey, Abhay often remarks that “Diageo has always kept me busy”—not merely through roles or responsibilities, but through a sustained sense of purpose and engagement. Each assignment and location presented new challenges that sharpened his ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and adapt to India’s diverse cultural landscape. Over time, these experiences shaped a clear evolution in his leadership style—from a more traditional, directive approach to one grounded in empowerment, trust, and team-first thinking.
Today, Abhay places strong emphasis on building capable teams by investing in people, particularly young and high-potential talent. He believes that organizations thrive when smart, curious individuals are encouraged early, given space to think independently, and systematically groomed to take on future roles. As he often reiterates, individual effectiveness is meaningful only when anchored in a strong, capable team. This collaborative and development-oriented leadership philosophy has enabled him to mentor and develop several high-potential leaders across the organization, strengthening both succession and long-term capability.
Beyond business metrics, Abhay is a fervent champion of Diageo India’s sustainability agenda. He actively contributes to monumental initiatives like the Godavari River cleanup, pioneering the use of 40% recycled PET bottles, spearheading widespread rainwater harvesting, and driving the complete transition from coal to 100% biomass in factories like Nashik. But his advocacy extends beyond environmental stewardship to the heart of the organization – its people. He highlights how Diageo’s "people-oriented policies" are a magnet for talent, especially the younger generation. Crucially, he adds, "It’s not only having a policy, it’s also how we implement it," underscoring the authenticity and tangible impact of Diageo's commitment to employee well-being.
Despite the relentless pace of professional demands, Abhay meticulously nurtures his personal life. He cherishes his close-knit family – his wife, a working professional; his son, currently pursuing engineering in VJTI Mumbai; and his mother. Their shared journey saw them relocate across India until his son's 10th grade, a testament to their mutual support. Now, he dedicates his weekends to visiting his family in Mumbai. For personal solace, music serves as a daily "booster," clearing his mind and instilling positive energy. Morning walks and gym sessions complete his routine, ensuring a holistic approach to well-being that fuels both his professional drive and personal equilibrium.
Abhay Dabholkar's journey with Diageo is far more than a chronicle of employment; it is a compelling saga of continuous learning, leadership evolution, and an unbreakable bond with a company that profoundly values its people and the planet. His story is a living embodiment of the vibrant and truly impactful "Life at Diageo India."