Diageo is asking for departures from several senior executives as CEO Dave Lewis drives a restructuring of the struggling UK spirits group. Employees were told at meetings this week that Ed Pilkington, North America chief marketing and innovation officer, along with Africa president Hina Nagarajan and chief human resources officer Louise Prashad, will leave the business. The move signals how fast Lewis, known as a turnaround specialist, is overhauling the Johnnie Walker and Guinness maker’s leadership setup.
Volkswagen labor leaders in Germany have pledged they will not allow any factory closures, even as the automaker seeks to cut excess capacity. In a Reuters statement, works council head Daniela Cavallo and union leaders from IG Metall and regional unions anchored their stance in a 2024 restructuring agreement, calling its “red lines” non-negotiable. While they welcome proposals to secure under-used sites—possibly through plant-sharing or defense and Chinese partnerships—they warn they will fight anything that undermines job security and career prospects.
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LinkedIn, the Microsoft owned professional network, is expected to announce layoffs on Wednesday affecting roughly 5% of its workforce. The job cuts are tied to a company reorganization that shifts employees toward growing business areas. LinkedIn’s revenue rose 12% in the last quarter, and the company says the layoffs are not driven by AI replacing jobs.
Walmart has cut about 1,000 roles as part of a restructuring meant to streamline operations and accelerate its technology drive. After integrating systems onto a single platform, the company is leaning harder into its online marketplace and delivery services, aiming to attract wealthier shoppers and compete more effectively with digital rivals. Some affected workers were reportedly asked to relocate.
GitLab says it will cut jobs to free resources for AI agents, betting on the “agentic” wave to automate internal workflows and boost efficiency. The plan includes reducing management layers and reorganizing R&D teams to integrate AI agent capabilities. The CEO adds that while some roles may be enhanced with AI, others will be expanded to keep momentum.
General Motors is reportedly planning a cut to some technology roles, impacting about 500 to 600 employees, according to Bloomberg. The report cites people familiar with the matter, but details on which teams or locations are affected were not provided in the information shared so far. The move signals continued restructuring pressures in the auto sector’s tech functions.
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Starbucks says it will cut 61 technology jobs at its Seattle headquarters, marking a new step in its ongoing transformation. The company frames the move as part of a broader shift to sharpen focus on improving customer experiences and boosting revenue growth. The decision follows earlier restructuring that included the closure of some locations, signaling deeper operational changes.
Porsche is shutting down its e-bike, battery, and software subsidiaries as part of a broader company overhaul, with more than 500 people set to be affected by the closures. The move signals a major restructuring of the automaker’s electrification and tech ambitions, potentially reshaping how Porsche develops and supports connected mobility products.
Fi Money cofounder Sumit Gwalani has stepped down after six years, following the shutdown of the startup’s banking service in March. The company says it is pivoting from consumer finance toward AI and enterprise technology, a shift that consumer-facing products and roles. The earlier restructuring announcement by Sujith Narayanan adds to the turmoil in India’s struggling neobanking partnerships.
Nike is restructuring its technology operations, shutting tech offices in Atlanta, China, and Poland while relocating some functions to Portland, where the company’s global headquarters is based. The move is expected to affect nearly 1,400 jobs. Nike says it will create leaner IT teams, reduce management layers, and better align technology with business goals amid broader layoffs this year.
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Cognizant is preparing for a major workforce reset under Project Leap, with potential cuts of 12,000 to 15,000 jobs worldwide. The company earmarked up to $270 million for employee related expenses within a $230 million to $320 million restructuring budget. With AI and automation driving a shift toward a “future operating model,” India is expected to face the heaviest impact.
India approved $33 billion in support for BSNL, yet the telecom turnaround still lacks a full-time leadership mandate. The Ken points to the mismatch between immediate funding and governance, raising questions about accountability, decision speed, and whether reforms can actually accelerate without stable top-level direction. The result is a hesitant restart rather than a decisive restructuring.
PayPal says it is “becoming a technology company again,” framing its next turnaround around AI-led automation. The plan pairs restructuring with modernization of its tech stack, aiming to drive $1.5B in savings while reducing headcount. The company’s message: smarter systems will cut costs and accelerate product and platform upgrades amid a broader reset in how it operates.
Coinbase announced layoffs affecting about 14% of its workforce, with CEO Brian Armstrong pointing to a weak crypto market and AI’s ability to help smaller teams deliver more. The company plans to reorganize to stay resilient across future market cycles and position itself for the next wave of crypto adoption. Armstrong also addressed key support areas including severance, healthcare, and ongoing assistance.
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Crypto exchange Coinbase says it will cut about 700 jobs, roughly 14% of its global workforce, as it restructures to reduce costs and reposition for the next wave of AI-led trading and operations. The company expects most layoffs to be completed by the second quarter of 2026, signaling a long runway for transformation rather than a quick headcount reset.
Estee Lauder says it plans layoffs of up to 10,000 jobs worldwide as part of a restructuring aimed at $1.2 billion in annual savings. The total could rise to about 17.5% of its global workforce, with many cuts concentrated in department store roles. The company is also accelerating premium launches and shifting sales toward online and specialty retailers.
Cognizant has earmarked up to $270 million for employee-related expenses as part of Project Leap, a global reorganisation aimed at building an AI-driven operating model. The overall plan is estimated at $230 million to $320 million and follows earlier cost-cutting moves. Cognizant says it will shift service delivery toward automation and efficiency while hiring more early-career talent.
Renault is reshaping its India business by creating a dedicated powertrain manufacturing unit, while merging vehicle manufacturing and sales under one structure. The reorganization is designed to strengthen India’s role as an export base, with Renault aiming for 2 billion euros in annual exports by 2030. The company says operations and stakeholder relationships will remain unaffected.
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LTM CEO Venu Lambu downplayed fears of AI-driven deflation, saying cost pressures are part of normal market evolution. Instead of focusing on falling pricing, he argues the real test is execution during a generational technology shift. To fuel growth, LTM is restructuring into three service lines and launching a new business AI unit aimed at doubling revenue.
Nike says it will cut about 1,400 jobs in 2026, with the biggest impact falling on global operations and technology teams. The company frames the move as a way to simplify its structure, respond faster, streamline supply chains, and refocus technology work. The decision follows mounting competition and a sales slowdown.
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