Death of Patrick Ricard, Chairman of the iconic Pernod Ricard

Le président du deuxième groupe mondial de spiritueux est décédé ce vendredi à l'âge de 67 ans. Patrick Ricard, Chairman of Pernod Ricard (placed in the CAC 40) died on Friday afternoon as the result of a heart attack on the family island of Bendor, near Bandol (Var). He was 67. He was the son of Paul Ricard, the mythical inventor of pastis de Marseille in 1932. "The family, the board of directors and senior management of Pernod Ricard are sad to announce the death of Mr Patrick Ricard suddenly occurred that day," said a statement from the group. Born in 1945, Patrick Ricard was married with three children. After studies in North America and Germany, he joined the Ricard company in 1967. There, he held positions in key business functions, and became its CEO in 1972. Upon creation of Pernod Ricard in 1975, he was appointed group managing director and in 1978, CEO. It will establish an acquisition policy importance and provide faster internationalization activities. Sales outside of France, causing the group represented 17% of sales, now account for 90%. Multiplication of acquisitions Patrick Ricard buying spree, as Campbell Distillers in Scotland, Austin Nichols in the U.S., Italy Ramazzotti, Irish Distillers, which includes all producers of Irish whiskey, Orlando Wyndham in Australia ... He also decided the creation of Havana Club International in Cuba. In 2000, the process is accelerated with the acquisition of part of the wine and spirits business of Seagram and again in 2005 with the acquisition of Allied Domecq. Pernod Ricard continues its external growth in 2008 through the acquisition of the Swedish V & S Group. The group completes its range of brands, strengthening its presence in the United States and achieves the rank of co-leader of groups of wines and spirits. Since its creation, Pernod Ricard has doubled in size every seven years. November 5, 2008, Patrick Ricard has resigned his executive duties at the head of Pernod Ricard and continues to assume the Presidency of the Board.