PERNOD RICARD WILL RETURN TO FAMILY CONTRO

The founding family of Pernod Ricard is to take back executive control of the French distiller when its current chief executive, Pierre Pringuet, retires in 2O15. The Paris-based group announced that Alexandre Ricard, 4O, has been appointed chief operating officer and deputy chief executive. He will replace Pringuet, the only non-family member to have held the chief executive role, when he reaches the company’s mandatory retirement age of 65 in January 2O15. Alexandre Ricard, the nephew of Patrick Ricard – the group chairman who died suddenly in August after leading the company for three decades – will represent the third generation of the family to head the company. Patrick Ricard’s sister, Daniele Ricard has been appointed chairman but will step down in favor of Alexandre in 2O15, when he is expected to become executive chairman.