Corporate Governance

Governing bodies


The Board of Directors determines the Group’s strategic objectives and oversees its implementation. The Board acts on on the recommendations of 4 specialised committees:
  • Strategic Committee,
  • Audit Committee,
  • Remuneration Committee,
  • Appointments Committee.


The Board of Directors is composed of 14 members, 6 of whom have the status of independent Directors.

Each Group subsidiary reports to its own Board of Directors.


Management structures


The duties of the Chairman and CEO having been separated on 5 November 2008 between those of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and those of the Chief Executive Officer. Pierre Pringuet was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard and Patrick Ricard remains Chairman of the Board of Directors.

In his new role, Pierre Pringuet is supported by the four Deputy Managing Directors:
- Emmanuel Babeau, Deputy Managing Director, Finance
-
Thierry Billot, Deputy Managing Director, Brands
-
Michel Bord, Deputy Managing Director, Distribution Network
-
Bruno Rain, Deputy Managing Director, Human Resources.

The General Management performs its functions within the limits of power granted by law, company rules, the Shareholders Meeting and the Board of Directors.

It leads meetings of the Group Executive Committee and the Holding Company Management Executives.

Four times a year, meetings are also held with the direct subsidiaries in order to:

 

 
  • take decisions concerning the budget and three-year strategic goals,
  • review the Group’s business activities.
The Chairmen and CEOs of the main Distribution Network and Brand Owner subsidiaries report directly to the General Management of Pernod Ricard.

Transparency, openness and ethics


The subsidiaries are required to inform Pernod Ricard of all significant events affecting their business.

The Holding Company informs its subsidiaries of all pertinent information concerning their business, while respecting confidentiality requirements.

In matters of ethics, the Group, Management, and all employees of Pernod Ricard must:
  • behave irreproachably and respectfully towards shareholders, customers, consumers, public authorities, suppliers, competitors and colleagues,
  • guarantee the quality of products,
  • respect the environment,
  • offer equal opportunities and encourage the professional development of all employees,
  • comply with commitments made by professional organisations addressing the socio-behavioural aspects of alcohol, (The European Forum For Responsible Drinking, The Portman Group, Entreprise et Prévention, Fundación Alcohol y Sociedad, etc.), and in particular personal alcohol consumption.

These regulations are outlined in the Pernod Ricard Charter and the Sustainable Development Charter .


Pernod Ricard is committed to the implementation of the principles of corporate governance.  Involvement, responsibility, transparency and ethics are at the centre of all decisions taken by the management and governing bodies of Pernod Ricard.


- 1975: merger of the Pernod and Ricard companies
- 19,300* employees in more than 70 countries worldwide
- 112** production plants

*Pernod Ricard Workforce, 30/06/2007; V&S, 31/12/2007.
**New scope consolidation