Shilpa Vaid has transitioned to a new global role within Diageo as human resources director (HRD) for APAC and global travel, marking the end of her tenure as chief human resources officer for India.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Vaid reflected on her transition, describing it as both “exciting” and “layered,” balancing anticipation for the future with gratitude for the journey in India. She highlighted the evolution of the HR function during her tenure, noting that the focus remained on strengthening business alignment while nurturing a people-centric culture.
“It has been a privilege to be part of this phase of the Diageo India journey… not just what we have delivered, but how our function has evolved,” she shared, expressing pride in the team she led and the outcomes achieved.
Vaid now steps into a broader regional and global mandate, where she will oversee HR for APAC and global travel—a portfolio she described as “deeply dynamic” with significant diversity and opportunity. Her move also signals Diageo’s continued emphasis on leveraging experienced internal leaders to drive talent strategy across geographies.
With over two decades of experience, Vaid brings a strong track record of leading HR transformation across industries including financial services, retail, and FMCG. Prior to joining Diageo India as CHRO, she was associated with Mondelez International as BU people lead for India.
Her earlier career includes leadership roles at organisations such as MetLife, where she served as country head–HR and later moved into global and Asia talent management roles, as well as stints at Bharti AXA General Insurance and Arvind Fashions, where she was CHRO overseeing multiple business verticals.
Vaid began her career with roles at firms including Ernst & Young, Arthur Andersen and Aviva India, building a strong foundation in HR early on. Over the years, she has been recognised for driving organisational transformation, leadership development, and culture-building initiatives across complex business environments.
An alumna of University of Delhi’s Hindu College, she holds an MBA in Human Resources from International Management Institute.
Her move comes at a time when organisations are increasingly rethinking leadership structures to align with global business priorities and cross-market talent strategies. For Diageo, placing a seasoned leader such as Vaid in a regional and global role reflects the growing importance of integrated people strategies across diverse and evolving markets.
As she steps into this next chapter, the focus will be on how her experience in driving transformation and building inclusive cultures translates into impact at a broader regional and global scale.
