Patrick Ricard

Life & Legacy

Patrick Ricard (12 May 1945 – 17 August 2012) was a French entrepreneur and chairman and CEO of the liquor and wine group Pernod Ricard.
After studying business in France, Germany and the United States, Patrick Ricard joined the Ricard company, founded by his father Paul Ricard in 1932. He held successive positions in the company's main departments, becoming managing director in 1972. With the creation of Pernod Ricard in 1975 he was appointed group managing director and then, in 1978, chairman and CEO.
He was the architect of the Group's ambitious strategy of growth through acquisition, aimed at broadening the product range and accelerating the development of the international business. The strategy proved a resounding success, particularly through the acquisitions of Seagram and Allied Domecq, sales outside France now accounting for 90% of turnover as against 17% when the Group was formed.