Press releases
07/11/2007 : 2006/07 Combined Shareholders' Meeting
Patrick Ricard proposes Pierre Pringuet succeeds him in November 2008
Cash dividend: € 2.52 (up 20%)
1-for-1 share per value split with effect on 15 January 2008
Appointment of Nicole Bouton as a Director of the Company
Paris, 7 November 2007
Group governance
On the occasion of the General Meeting of Shareholders, Patrick Ricard announced his decision to resign his executive duties at the head of the Group at the end of the 2007/08 financial year, being at the close of the next General Meeting of Wednesday 5 November 2008.
Patrick Ricard voiced his wish that the position of Chairman and CEO be subsequently split between that of Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Group. He would thus remain Chairman of the Board of Directors. He informed the General Meeting that he recommended to the Appointments Committee that Pierre Pringuet, currently Managing Director, should assume the duties of CEO.
Pierre Pringuet, a former student of Ecole Polytechnique and a Corps des Mines Engineer, joined Pernod Ricard in 1987 as Head of Development. Over the past 20 years, he actively took part in the group’s international expansion, and in particular successfully led in 2005 the acquisition, followed by the integration of Allied Domecq. He has been Managing Director of the Group since 2000.
Cash dividend
The Combined General Meeting of Pernod Ricard approved the 2006/07 consolidated and company financial statements at 30 June 2007 and decided on a dividend distribution of € 2.52, an increase of 20% compared to the previous financial year*. An interim dividend of € 1.26 was paid on 4 July and the balance of € 1.26 will be paid on 14 November.
Share per value
In addition, the General Meeting decided to implement a 1-for-1 split of the share per value. It will thus go from a per value of € 3.10 to € 1.55. This decision will enhance the liquidity of the Pernod Ricard share and therefore make it more accessible to individual shareholders. It will take effect from 15 January 2008.
New Director
Nicole Bouton, Chairman and founder of Financière Centuria Group was appointed as Director of the Company for a four-year term of office.
* Taking account of the distribution of one free share for every five shares held on 16 January 2007
The General Meeting is broadcast live online. A recorded version is also available in French and English.
Contacts Pernod Ricard
Francisco de LA VEGA / Communication VP Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 40 96
Denis FIEVET/ Communication - Investor Relations VP Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 41 71
Florence TARON / Press Relations Manager Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 40 88
