CEO Today Global Awards

CEO Today Global Awards 2020 41 www.ceotodaymagazine.com FRANCE ALEXANDRE RICARD CEO of Pernod-Ricard Our organisation is rooted in a guiding principle that is unique within our sector: decentralisation. Our distribution of our brands is made possible by the men and women of Pernod Ricard. The Group has 85 direct affiliates worldwide. This network – a true competitive asset – allows us tomake decisions as closely as possible to consumers and brands. Each local affiliate is managed as a profit centre that retains extensive autonomy, and is responsible for obtaining results consistent with our defined strategy. An efficient decentralisation is based on three principles: project prioritisation, mutualisation of resources and simplification of processes to better meet consumer demand. We have one golden rule for coordinating the Group’s brand strategies: maintaining an ongoing dialogue among all entities. This organisation is built arouned three entities: Brand Companies in charge of production and overall strategy for the brands, Market Companies, linked to regions, in charge of distribution and activation of the brand portfolio, and finally the Headquarters, located in Paris, in charge of overall strategy and cross-functional initiatives. These direct links form the cornerstone of our organisation, and are of proven value for every market and brand, regardless of its size. www.pernod-ricard.com About Alexandre Ricard Alexandre Ricard is a graduate of ESCP Europe, the Wharton School of Business (MBA majoring in Finance and Entrepreneurship) and of the University of Pennsylvania (MA in International Studies). After working for seven years outside the Group for Accenture (Management and Consulting) and Morgan Stanley (Mergers and Acquisitions Consulting), he joined the Pernod Ricard Group in 2003, in the Audit and Development Department of Group Headquarters. At the end of 2004, he became the Administrative and Financial Director of Irish Distillers Group, and then CEO of Pernod Ricard Asia Duty Free in September 2006. In July 2008, he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Irish Distillers Group and became a member of Pernod Ricard’s Executive Committee. In September 2011, he joined the Group General Management as Managing Director, Distribution Network and became a member of the Executive Board. Alexandre Ricard was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer by the Board of Directors on 29 August 2012. He was the permanent representative of Société Paul Ricard (a member of the Board), from 2 November 2009 until 29 August 2012, at which time he was co-opted as Director of Pernod Ricard.