Ararat bottling plant

Our Management

Aurélie Kane

Aurélie Kane – Communications and Corporate Affairs Director  

Following eight years of consultancy experience, Aurélie joined Pernod Ricard UK as Head of Corporate Communications in 2006, shortly after Pernod Ricard had just completed one of its biggest acquisitions to date – the £7.4bn takeover of Allied Domecq, which added blockbuster brands Beefeater, Malibu and Perrier-Jouët to its line-up.

Since joining Pernod Ricard, the role has evolved significantly to cover the full spectrum of Communications and Aurelie subsequently joined the UK Executive Committee in 2016. Her responsibilities include: Sustainability and Responsibility, internal communications and change management, global communications for our international portfolio of gin brands, as well as corporate, trade and consumer communications for the company’s full portfolio of premium wine, spirits and champagnes.

Favourite cocktail at home: Beefeater Blood Orange & Tonic, perfect, whatever the weather! 

Favourite bar: my local pub in South West London, which serves our full range of Gins, or Scarfes Bar in the Rosewood Hotel

Favourite moment of conviviality: a family dinner

David Haworth

David Haworth – Managing Director, Pernod Ricard UK  

Since joining the Pernod Ricard Group in 1989, David has held a variety of different roles in a range of countries including Germany, Greece, the Czech Republic and Ireland. Growing up in Ireland, David began his career with Pernod Ricard at Irish Distillers. In the UK today, David is proud to lead an entrepreneurial team of over 300 colleagues who proudly champion a world of conviviality. 

As the Managing Director of Pernod Ricard UK, David oversees the development, innovation and growth of Pernod Ricard’s global portfolio of leading premium spirits, wines and champagnes in the UK, which includes 19 brands among the top 100 worldwide. The role also includes the global development of The Gin Hub, which focuses on Pernod Ricard’s portfolio of strategic gin brands, including Beefeater, Plymouth, Malfy, KI NO BI and Monkey 47. David is also a member of the board for both Black Forest Distillers and Italicus. 

Favourite cocktail at home: an Old Fashioned with Jameson Black Barrel

Favourite bar: Finnegan’s of Dalkey in Ireland or Swift in London for a Jameson Irish Coffee 

Favourite moment of conviviality: out with friends enjoying great drinks and great company

Ian Peart

Ian Peart – Commercial Director

Ian began a career in the drinks industry straight out of university, holding a variety of sales roles during a 13-year stint at Diageo. Joining Pernod Ricard UK in 2006 as Field Sales Director, he has since held several positions in the Commercial team, including: Field Sales Controller, Business Unit Controller – Grocery and Channel Director, On-Trade.

Taking on a newly created role of Business Development Director in 2017, Ian was responsible for identifying, developing and accelerating growth opportunities for Pernod Ricard in the UK, including the launch of the Group’s first non-alcoholic offering, CEDER’S. Following 14 years at Pernod Ricard UK, in 2020 Ian was welcomed onto the UK Executive Committee in his current role as Commercial Director.  

Favourite cocktail at home: Espresso Martini with Absolut and Kahlúa

Favourite bar: The Nag’s Head, Little Hadham, or Mojo in Leeds for a big night out

Favourite moment of conviviality: going to the pub with friends and family 

Leanne Banks

Leanne Banks – Marketing Director

Following a successful start in the industry gaining experience within category and consumer insights at Maxxium, Leanne went onto lead the insight and category agenda for Allied Domecq’s wine division before it was subsequently bought by Pernod Ricard. In 2005, Leanne joined Pernod Ricard UK and progressed her marketing career working across the Malibu and Havana Club brands. After three years, Leanne moved to LVMH and held several roles within the UK and global divisions as Marketing Director before going onto become Global Communications Director, where she relocated to New York. Moving back to the UK in 2017, Leanne held roles at Bacardi as European Brand Director, before moving into the luxury lifestyle sector as GM Brand & Marketing for jewellery business, Monica Vinader.

Leanne returned to Pernod Ricard UK in 2021 to take up her current position as Marketing Director and is responsible for driving the marketing strategy for the business. Putting consumers at the heart of all campaigns and creativity in execution is something Leanne passionately believes in to build long-term brand equity. There are a few key areas of focus for Leanne and her team: using consumer insights and trends to deliver innovation, digital transformation, accelerating eCommerce as a channel and aligning with the Group roadmap to become a data-driven business, brand-in-hand opportunities as an integral part of delivering our consumer-centric agenda, as well as driving the Sustainability & Responsibility agenda for all brands.

Favourite cocktail at home: A chilled dry martini with Plymouth. Stirred not shaken!

Favourite bar: The Canny Man’s in Edinburgh, a cosy and quintessential pub

Favourite moment of conviviality: Dinner parties with friends and ending the evening with some kitchen dancing

Louise Ryan

Louise Ryan – Managing Director, The Gin Hub

Entering the world of FMCG straight out of university, Louise gained a wealth of sales and marketing experience at Mars Ireland over a 14-year period holding positions including Marketing Director and Commercial Director. Following a two- and half-year career break after the birth of her third daughter, Louise joined Irish Distillers as Head of Business Development for Jameson and has remained with the Pernod Ricard Group ever since - as Strategy & Insights Director for Irish Distillers and Managing Director for the Pernod Ricard market company in Ireland.

Making the move to The Gin Hub in 2018, Louise now splits her time between her hometown of Dublin, Ireland, and the London HQ of Pernod Ricard UK. Since Louise took the reins at The Gin Hub, the portfolio has transformed through both acquisition and innovation to now boast a strong line-up of international Premium+ brands: Beefeater, Plymouth, Malfy, KI NO BI and Monkey 47.

Favourite cocktail at home: Monkey 47 & Tonic

Favourite bar: Dukes Hotel or The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin

Favourite moment of conviviality: Summer holidays with my family

Pam Rowan

Pam Rowan – HR Director

Building a strong career in HR during a 10-year stint at two of the UK’s leading FMCG companies, Procter & Gamble and United Biscuits, Pam joined Pernod Ricard UK as HR Director in 2004. In this time, the role has evolved to cover both the UK domestic market and The Gin Hub. During her time at the helm, Pam has been committed to ensuring Pernod Ricard UK is truly a great and inclusive place to work and an inclusive environment for all, by supporting the global strategy of blending performance with conviviality.

Pam oversees the company’s ‘Better Balance’ programme, which provides extensive resources on Mental Health, includes passionate Diversity & Inclusion champions to drive positive change across the business and continually seek to close the gender pay gap, as well as a range of activities to support colleagues in adopting a healthier lifestyle.

It’s not just about the current workforce, Pam is a strong believer in supporting the next generation of Créateurs de Convivialité through the Pernod Ricard UK Bright Futures programme, which has grown rapidly under Pam’s leadership to be included in the prestigious Rate My Placement Top Undergraduate Employers Table 2020 for the fifth year running, as well as to now include apprenticeships.

Favourite cocktail at home: a Plymouth Gin Bramble

Favourite bar: Sexy Fish in London and Efes in Little Chalfont

Favourite moment of conviviality: Throwing parties at home

Richard Preston – Strategy & Transformation Director  

The newest member of our management team, Richard joined Pernod Ricard UK in 2017 as Revenue Growth Management Controller, before progressing to Head of Commercial Transformation. He took on the role of Strategy & Transformation Director in 2022, in which he leads a team of specialists covering Consumer & Shopper Insight, Category Management, RGM, Field Sales Planning and the Transformation Office.

Richard and his team also work closely with HQ and EMEA on Group Transform and Accelerate projects to ensure Pernod Ricard UK is leveraging the power of PR Group thinking and, as a major market, giving input and insight to the Group roadmap. 

Richard started his career at Kantar Worldpanel, before moving to Mars Confectionery to manage category development for various top grocers, and then to Coca-Cola European Partners to lead on revenue growth management.

Favourite cocktail at home: Can’t beat a good Manhattan

Favourite bar: Swift in Soho – the best Irish Coffee in the world!

Favourite moment of conviviality: A Lillet Spritz in a pub garden with friends on a sunny day

Thomas D'Aboville

Thomas D’Aboville – Chief Financial Officer

Thomas has had a truly international career. Following four years at leading auditor, EY, Thomas joined the wine and spirits industry in 2009 as Business Analyst for Pernod Ricard. Moving to Stockholm in 2011, Thomas spent three years as Director Business Analysis for The Absolut Company (owner of Absolut, Malibu and Kahlúa). It was from here he made another overseas move to San Sebastian to become Finance Director for Pernod Ricard Winemakers, Spain. In his position as an executive committee member, Thomas led a team of 40 responsible for business analysis, accounting and treasury, IT, legal and wineries administration.

Joining Pernod Ricard UK in 2018 as Finance Director, Thomas took on the responsibilities for both the UK domestic market and The Gin Hub, and in 2019 added operations and procurement to his remit.

Favourite cocktail at home: Monkey 47 & Tonic

Favourite bar: Le Bel Endroit, Basque Country

Favourite moment of conviviality: Holidays with family and friends