Pernod Ricard makes its annual appointments

Like at the start of every new fiscal year, Pernod Ricard has announced the appointments to take place as part of its policy of internal promotion and mobility.

As of 1 August, 2015, Mohit Lal, currently MD of Pernod Ricard India, will be appointed MD of Pernod Ricard Asia Travel Retail. He will succeed Con Constandis who, after a very successful career within Pernod Ricard at the helm of Corby, Pernod Ricard China and Pernod Ricard Asia Travel Retail, wanted to return to his home country to be nearer to his family.

Mohit will continue as a member of the Board of Pernod Ricard India, given his wealth of knowledge of the Indian market after having successfully spearheaded the double-digit business growth of Pernod Ricard over the last four years in this market.

On the same date, Guillaume Girard-Reydet, currently MD of Pernod Ricard Wyborowa and of the central Europe management entity, will be appointed MD of Pernod Ricard India. Guillaume’s experiences in the commercial field and later at the head of a market company that is also a brand company will be assets for his new position.

Mohit and Guillaume will report to Philippe Guettat, chairman & CEO of Pernod Ricard Asia, and will be members of the regional management committee of Pernod Ricard Asia.

Eric Benoist, currently MD of Chivas Brothers, will be appointed MD of Pernod Ricard Wyborowa and of the Central Europe Management Entity. Eric will take up his new position with effect from 1 August. He will report to Christian Porta, chairman & CEO of Pernod Ricard EMEA, and will be a member of the Pernod Ricard EMEA regional executive committee. Eric will draw on his proven marketing expertise, acquired successively from his time as MD in charge of the Chivas Brothers portfolio and from his six years at Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët. Eric will also rely on his management experience gained from his time as MD of Pernod Ricard Japan from 2000 to 2003.

Sophie Gallois, currently MD of Ricard SA, will be appointed MD of Chivas Brothers, effective as of 1 September 2015. Sophie will report to Laurent Lacassagne, chairman & CEO of Chivas Brothers, and will be a member of the management committee. Sophie has a strong knowledge of both luxury brands and the whisky sector. After a first experience at Campbell Distillers, Sophie has been brand director of Royal Salute and Chivas Regal and also marketing director of Pernod Ricard España.

Stephanie Durroux, currently director of strategy and development of Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët, will be appointed MD of Ricard SA with effect from 1 September 2015. Stephanie will report to Philippe Savinel, chairman & CEO of Ricard SA and will be a member of the management committee. She has comprehensive expertise in marketing and strategy and strong knowledge of the French market. Her previous roles have included global brand director for Mumm and Perrier-Jouët and for Martell, and she also held the role of local brand director for Martell in China. 

Fabrice Audan, currently MD of Pernod Ricard northern Europe, will also be appointed MD of Pernod Ricard Sweden. He will still report to Christian Porta, chairman & CEO of Pernod Ricard EMEA, and will remain a member of the regional executive committee. Fabrice will continue to draw on his leadership experience, acquired firstly during his eight years at the helm of Pernod Ricard Japan and, since 2011, as MD of Pernod Ricard northern Europe, where he gained expert knowledge of the Scandinavian markets.

23 July 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor