INTERNATIONAL/FRANCE. Pernod Ricard has announced several key changes to its Executive Committee.
Pernod Ricard EMEA & LATAM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Christian Porta will take on the newly created position of Managing Director, Global Business Development (GBD). As a member of the Executive Board, he will report to Chairman & CEO Alexandre Ricard.
Porta will be in charge of all brand companies and the GBD team. His responsibilities will include coordinating strategies and initiatives related to Pernod Ricard’s brand portfolio, including innovation and digital.
All brand company CEOs will report to Porta and remain Executive Committee (Comex) members.
Pernod Ricard said the organisational change will strengthen coordination across the company, improving transversal efficiency, resource allocation and speed of decision-making.
Gilles Bogaert, currently Managing Director in charge of Finance, IT and Operations, will become Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard EMEA & LATAM. A Comex member, he will report to Alexandre Ricard.
Group Strategy and M&A Director Hélène de Tissot has been named Group Finance, IT and Operations Director. A member of the Executive Board and Comex, she will report to Alexandre Ricard. Her replacement will be announced at a later date.
Irish Distillers Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jean-Christophe Coutures will become Chivas Brothers Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He will report to Christian Porta. He replaces Laurent Lacassagne who will leave Pernod Ricard.
Pernod Ricard said: “The group wishes Laurent every success in his future projects and thanks him for his significant contribution to the development of the group over the past 30 years.”
Conor McQuaid, currently EVP Global Business Development, has been appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Irish Distillers. He will report to Christian Porta.
Lastly, Pernod Ricard Rouss and Pernod Ricard Eastern Europe Chief Executive Officer Philippe Coutin will take on the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Ricard and Pernod Companies, effective May 2019. He replaces Philippe Savinel, who will retire at this date. Coutin’s replacement will be announced at a later date.
Alexandre Ricard said: “Our organisation is a living organism, constantly evolving as it adapts to our consumers and environment.”
