FRANCE – Pernod Ricard has announced that Paul Duffy, chairman and chief cxecutive officer of Pernod Ricard North America and a member of the group’s executive committee (COMEX) will be stepping down from the position.
The spirits and wine company has appointed Ann Mukherjee, currently chief commercial officer of S.C. Johnson & Son, a global manufacturer of household and professional products to replace Duffy, effective from 2 December 2019.
Duffy joined Pernod Ricard in 1994 as assistant finance director of the treasury team at Irish Distillers and was later appointed as finance director and managing director of Pernod Ricard UK.
He has also held other senior roles including chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers and managing director of Pernod Ricard USA from 2008 to 2012.
He was later nominated as chairman and chief executive officer of the Absolut Company, but returned four years later to the US as chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America, where he drove the transformation of the local US business.
Alexandre Ricard, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard said: “Paul will be remembered as one of our management team members who accompanied the growth of our Group over the last 25 years.
“I am very pleased to welcome Ann to our Executive Committee. Her comprehensive marketing and commercial expertise will not only undoubtedly contribute to furthering the transformation of our ever-more consumer-oriented company, but to achieving our first and foremost objective: to accelerate our growth in our number one market, the United States.”
Ann Mukherjee has nearly 30 years of experience in marketing and sales functions having held several senior positions in major companies including Kraft Foods Group and PepsiCo.
In addition, Pernod Ricard has announced that Bruno Rain will be retiring from the Group and from his role as chairman and chief executive officer of Pernod Ricard Winemakers.
Bryan Fry, currently Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Pacific, has been appointed chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Winemakers, replacing Bruno with effect December 2nd, 2019.
Bryan will report into Christian Porta, Group Managing Director of Global Business Development, and will be a member of the Group’s executive committee.
Bryan‘s first mission will be to create the conditions to accelerate the growth of our wine business and its long-term profitability. During the coming weeks before he retires, Bruno will support the transition of the new Chairman and CEO.
