Pernod Ricard has lined up a change of leadership in the key spirits category battleground of North America.
Company lifer Conor McQuaid will be promoted to the role of North America CEO at the start of next year. He will replace Ann Mukherjee, who is standing down after almost exactly four years to “focus her time and energy on her family’s well-being”, the group said today.
McQuaid, currently Pernod Ricard’s executive VP for sustainability & responsibility, communications & public affairs, has been with the company since 1998. Currently a member of the executive committee, his previous positions include CEO of the Irish Distillers unit and executive VP of global business development.
Currently based out of Paris, he will move to New York in time to start as North America head on 1 January.
Mukherjee, meanwhile, is calling time on her stint with Pernod Ricard, which started in December 2019 when she left SC Johnson, where she was global chief commercial officer, to take on her current position.
“We would like to thank Ann for her significant contribution to our North America business and brands,” said CEO Alex Ricard. “Ann leaves a strong foundation of achievements in the evolution of our portfolio strategy and brand marketing effectiveness across the North American market. We wish her the very best in her future endeavours.
“The US continues to be our number one market, and Conor brings a unique skill set from his 25 years at Pernod Ricard that is perfectly suited to continue our transformation in such a dynamic market. His leadership and the instrumental role he played in the success of Jameson, particularly in the US, underscore his ability to further advance Pernod Ricard’s ambitions in North America.”
In results for the 12 months to the end of June, announced in August, the group warned of an ongoing dip in sales in the US, albeit because of what it called a “high comparison basis”. Looking forward, Pernod Ricard will be looking to capitalise on rival Diageo’s current corporate focus further south: Earlier this month, the Johnnie Walker brand owner admitted that its previous expectation of “a gradual improvement” in top-line growth in the six months to the end of December now seems unlikely. The ‘Latin America & Caribbean’ reporting region is now forecast to come in down by over 20% over the half-year period.
