FDBusiness.com

Irish Distillers, producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys, has announced that Chairman and CEO, Conor McQuaid will leave his current role to take up the role of Executive Vice President Corporate Communication, S&R and Public Affairs at Pernod Ricard headquarters in Paris. The newly created global role brings together Corporate Communication, S&R and Public Affairs under one role for the first time in Pernod Ricard and Conor McQuaid will report to Chairman and CEO, Alexandre Ricard.

Conor McQuaid originally joined Irish Distillers in 1998 and has served as Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers since July 1st, 2018. During his tenure he has guided Irish Distillers to continued success globally, supporting the growth of the full portfolio of Irish whiskeys led by Jameson which now ranks in the Top 4 International whisk(e)y brands in the world and a Top 10 Premium Spirits Brand in the US.

Nodjame Fouad.

Conor McQuaid will be replaced by Nodjame Fouad, who currently holds the position of President and CEO of Pernod Ricard Japan. Nodjame Fouad has worked in various roles across the Pernod Ricard group for almost 10 years including senior roles in The Absolut Company and Global Travel Retail. She will take up the role as Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers on July 1st, 2022.

Commenting on the announcement, Conor McQuaid, outgoing Chairman and CEO, said: “Serving as Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers has been an honour and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a business over the past number of years, in particular, the remarkable success of our full portfolio of Irish whiskeys, and the continued success of Jameson around the world. As an Irishman, I take immense pride in the thought of new consumers igniting, or in some cases re-igniting, a passion for Irish whiskey in both established and new markets globally. I look forward to taking up my new role in Paris and would like to welcome Nodjame to Irish Distillers and Ireland; I have no doubt that she will continue to drive the success of our portfolio of superlative Irish whiskey around the world.”

Nodjame Fouad, President and CEO of Pernod Ricard Japan and incoming Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers, said: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate Conor for an incredible tenure as Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers and wish him well with his new role in Paris. I am deeply honoured to take up the proverbial baton as Chairman and CEO, acting as guardian of some of the most-loved Irish whiskeys in the world. I look forward to joining Irish Distillers in July and working closely with the team to shape the business strategy to drive the continued growth of our whiskey portfolio.”