Patrick Ricard's biography

Patrick Ricard

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It was in 1967 that Patrick Ricard joined the Ricard company, founded by his father Paul in 1932. He held successive positions in the company’s main departments, becoming Managing Director in 1972. With the creation of Pernod Ricard in 1975 he was appointed Group Managing Director and then, in 1978, Chairman and CEO.

He was the architect of the Group’s ambitious strategy of growth through acquisition, aimed at broadening the product range and accelerating the development of the international business. The strategy proved a resounding success, sales outside France now accounting for 90% of turnover as against 17% when the Group was formed.

Patrick Ricard’s acquisitions included Campbell Distillers in Scotland, Austin Nichols in the USA, Ramazzotti in Italy, Irish Distillers (bringing together all the producers of Irish whiskey) and Orlando Wyndham in Australia. It was also his decision to create Havana Club International in Cuba.

The pace picked up in 2000 with the acquisition of part of Seagram’s wine and spirit business, and again in 2005 with the buy-out of competitor Allied Domecq. The Group added several prestige brands to its portfolio and became a major player in the United States, which, like Asia, is one of the most strategic markets. Pernod Ricard now ranks as the number two spirits group worldwide.

Despite such exceptional growth, the Group’s guiding operational principle – decentralisation – has remained unchanged. Maintaining this management style throughout its acquisitions has helped new employees integrate quickly and empowered managers.

Since its formation, Pernod Ricard has doubled in size every seven years, its market capitalisation growing fivefold over the last five years. This exemplary record led American magazine Fortune to name Patrick Ricard ‘European Businessman of the Year’ in 2006.

Born in 1945, Patrick Ricard is married with three children. His interests include hunting and opera. He has received numerous distinctions including that of the Commander of the Legion of Honour and Knight of the National Order of the Merit.