Diageo has raided Xerox Corporation for its new chief financial officer.

Kathryn Mikells, CFO at Xerox since 2013, will move to the drinks giant on November 9.

She will replace Deirdre Mahan who is moving to run Diageo’s key North American business.

Ms Mikells had spent much of her career at United Airlines and was chief financial officer there between 2008 and 2010.

She said: “This is a unique opportunity to work for a company with leading consumer brands, unparalleled global reach and the marketing and innovation agility to drive performance locally.”

Ms Mahan will also step down from Diageo’s main board.