Pernod Ricard names Jean Touboul as new boss for Indian market

Pernod Ricard has stated that Jean Touboul has become its new managing director for the India arm of its business.

The appointment, which sees Touboul who previously served as the managing director of the business’s Singapore-based South-East Asia entity, succeeding Paul-Robert Bouhier.

In his new role, Touboul will continue to report to Pernod Ricard Asia chairman and CEO Philippe Guettat and, according to local reports, will become a member of the Pernod Ricard Asia executive committee.

Touboul joined the group in 2004 in the role of financial controller and internal auditor of Pernod Ricard Europe.

Speaking about his appointment as managing director for Pernod Ricard India, Touboul said: “What I look forward [to] the most in my new role is to drive our many strategic priorities and the vast opportunities in a culturally diverse market that India is.”

He added: “I am very excited to have this privilege of leading a team of very dynamic and committed convivialists here. We have made huge strides in this market by building sustainable, industry-first operations, while aligning with our focus on innovation and transformation.”

Touboul has previously occupied leadership roles for Pernod Ricard across markets including: Eastern Europe Asia, Taiwan and Korea.

His appointment to the Indian arm of the French drinks company follows him being promoted to the role of managing director for South-East Asia in 2021.

Despite Pernod Ricard’s third quarter results revealing that India was seeing sales rising by 15%, it has still faced issues in the region after the Delhi government refused to renew its licence to sell alcohol. The fact that Pernod Ricard has been accused of breaking financial and licensing laws in New Delhi shows just how important the Indian market is becoming to global spirits producers.

Amidst its struggles, Pernod continues to identify India as a “must win” market.