Pernod Ricard has poached the MD of William Grant & Sons’ operations in the US to join its unit in the country as CCO.
Paul Basford, who has headed up the Glenfiddich brand owner’s division in the market since May 2021, will focus on “commercial planning and execution (and) driving commercial transformation” in his new role. He will report in to Pernod Ricard North America’s CEO, Conor McQuaid.
Speaking to Global Drinks Intel today, a spokesperson for William Grant said: “William Grant & Sons is fully committed to building on the strong foundations for continued growth in the US alongside our partners, customers and consumers in the months and years ahead. As part of his broader responsibilities, Badri Narasimhan, chief officer (for) network distribution companies, has assumed direct leadership responsibility for the US market with immediate effect while the process to recruit Paul Basford’s successor is completed.
“Paul joined William Grant & Sons at a critical time, overseeing an important period of growth for the US business and leaves with our best wishes for the future.”
Basford also has eight years with Diageo on his resumé; He was with the Johnnie Walker brand owner in the UK from 1998 to 2006, rising to become senior commercial development director in the UK. In between his stints with Diageo and William Grant, he worked for Britvic, with whom he moved to the US, and Danone Waters.
Last month, Pernod Ricard posted a 10% year-on-year sales decline in the US from the three months to the end of September as the group’s top line fell by almost 6%.
