Turkish lawyer Meltem Azbazdar has been appointed as Diageo’s General Counsel Europe based in London.
Azbazdar has been with the British multinational alcoholic beverage company since 2023, when she joined as a GC for Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and MENA. Earlier, she worked for Diageo’s Turkish subsidiary Mey Diageo as a GC between 2013 and 2023. Earlier still, she was the Real Estate and Business Development Director at Carrefour between 2005 and 2011, worked for Herguner Bilgen Ozeke as a Senior Associate between 1999 and 2005, and also worked for Fox & Gibbons as an Associate between 1996 and 1999.
“Since joining Diageo Turkiye in 2013 as General Counsel and Company Secretary then adding CR, I’ve had the privilege of working across diverse markets, navigating complex legal environments, and partnering with exceptional leaders and teams,” Azbazdar commented. “From leading compliance transformation programs in Turkiye to supporting market growth ambitions in Northern and Eastern Europe, each challenge has been an opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully.”