Pernod Ricard UK shakes up senior team

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 01 December, 2014

Pernod Ricard has promoted Simon van Moppes to the role of group on-trade director for the global business and Chris Ellis to commercial director for wines and spirits in the UK as it re-examines its market priorities.

Simon van Moppes Simon Van Moppes is promoted to Pernod Ricard's global team as group on-trade director

Van Moppes was previously commercial director for spirits in the UK, but will now take on a bigger role in the company from January 1, 2015. He will report to executive vice president of commercial development Thibaut De Poutier.

Chris Ellis Pernod Ricard UK's Chris Ellis takes on a broader role as commerical director for both wine and spirits

Meanwhile Ellis, who currently heads up the commercial team for wines, will take on an expanded role across wines and spirits. He will continue to report to UK managing director Denis O'Flynn.

"Simon's appointment as group on-trade director is well deserved following eight years in the UK business in a variety of on and off-trade commercial roles," said O'Flynn. "Chris's expanded role reflects his contribution to the commercial team in wines and spirits over the past 10 years. I wish them every success in their new positions."

Speaking to Harpers.co.uk recently at Wine Vision, O'Flynn said we can expect to see further new product developments from within its wine portfolio. Earlier this year it introduced Jacob's Creek Fiano and Sangiovese. He said we should "expect to see something on the Spanish side in the next year to 18 months". He also said "we will be looking to re-energise the Australian category".

O'Flynn identified brown spirits as the "biggest opportunities" on the spirits side in the UK, given the "value creation and innovation" coming out of those categories". On the wine side, he said changes would be driven by increasing preferences for online and convenience shopping. Looking at alternatives to the classic 75cl bottle were on the agenda, he said. "There has to be something to be done there in wine," he said, "we have to consider how to get retailer formats right".

Globally, Pernod Ricard represents 91 million cases of spirits and 25 million cases of wine. Its key brands include Absolut vodka, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Chivas Regal, G.H. Mumm and Havana Club.

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