Pernod relocates staff in Americas HQ division

Pernod Ricard has confirmed that a number of employees in its Americas HQ have either left the company or relocated to a different department following a structural change earlier this year.

In February this year, the group revealed plans to “simplify” its Americas region with a renewed focus on the US and Canada.

The firm now claims 29 of the 35 people involved in Pernod Ricard Americas HQ have found a new job, either within or outside of the business.

It confirmed company veteran Geoffroy Germano, VP marketing at Pernod Ricard Americas, will leave the company after 19 years on 1 July, as will Audrey Yayon-Dauvet, VP legal and corporate affairs.

Thierry Pourchet, VP finance and operations, will continue to manage ongoing operations projects for North America until the end of December.

“The whole Pernod Ricard Americas HQ team should be commended for their remarkable commitment and professionalism during the recent months’ transition period,” the company said.

In addition, Pernod Ricard has made a string of executive changes to its Asia business and French subsidiary Ricard SA.

The changes have been made in light of Pernod Ricard’s new strategy to place an “even greater” focus on middle class consumers in Asia, while continuing to target affluent drinkers.

As such, the group’s regional head office in Asia will “play a greater operating role and implement several “optimistion measures”, including the elimination of geographic clusters and the creation of a Regional Centre of Excellence.

The Greater China cluster will be replaced by three standalone management entities: China, Taiwan and Hong Kong/Macau, reporting directly to Pernod Ricard Asia, from 1 July 2016.

Horace Ngai, currently managing director of Greater China, will be appointed executive VP strategy and business development of Pernod Ricard Asia. His role will be to establish the Regional Centre of Excellence focusing on local brands, RTM, new business development and external growth.

Terence Ong, currently managing director of Pernod Ricard Malaysia, will be appointed managing director of Pernod Ricard Taiwan, effective as from 1 September 2016.

Jean Touboul, currently managing director of Pernod Ricard Taiwan, will be appointed managing director of Pernod Ricard Korea effective 1 September 2016, replacing Jean-Manuel Spriet who is leaving the company after 26 years.

Gaurav Sabharwal, currently managing director of Pernod Ricard Singapore, will be appointed managing director of Pernod Ricard Gulf, replacing David Freeborn who is stepping down after 16 years with the group.

Patrick Castanier, currently managing director of Pernod Ricard Thailand, will be appointed managing director of Pernod Ricard Vietnam, replacing Hoang Anh Nguyen who is leaving the company after 19 years.

Quentin JOB, currently VP innovation and commercial development, will succeed Castanier.

Sébastien Mouquet, currently national sales director at Ricard SA, will replace Terence Ong as managing director of Pernod Ricard Malaysia. In turn, Mouquet will be replaced by Franck Monvoisin.