Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail today announced the retirement of long-standing Chairman and CEO Mohit Lal, marking the end of a highly distinguished career spanning 37 years in the corporate world. Lal has been one of the most insightful and influential executives in the travel retail channel over the past eight years, and a key advocate of premiumisation, digitalisation and Trinity principles.
Laurent Pillet, currently Managing Director Pernod Ricard Eastern Europe will succeed Lal as Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail CEO. Lal, who joined Pernod Ricard in 1999, was appointed Managing Director of Asia Travel Retail in 2015 before ascending to Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail in 2016.
Pernod Ricard said: “Tasked with spearheading a new global entity and strategic roadmap, Lal united regions, driving efficiencies, supercharging growth, and building a new fit for purpose organisation from scratch. With Lal at the helm, the new organisation propelled Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail to the number one wine and spirits company in the channel.
“Mohit Lal steered Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail through the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritising employee wellbeing and becoming a key voice for the industry. Lal ensured the Pernod Ricard organisation was well prepared for the rebound of the channel leveraging key insight and data through the understanding of traveller behaviours and anticipating their needs in a post-COVID world.
In a prepared statement, Lal commented: “My 23 years at Pernod Ricard have been the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career, and a true highlight of my four decades in the corporate world. I have now chosen to step back from full-time employment to enter a new phase of my life that allows me to fulfil my bucket list that has had to stay dormant for a long time and be able to spend more time with family.
“I am confident I leave Global Travel Retail with a vibrant and secure future, and my successor Laurent Pillet will be supported by a truly exceptional team that will continue to drive success.”
Lal told The Moodie Davitt Report today, “When I entered the channel, it was a little bit overwhelming, because it was something that I was not so familiar with, given its scale and global reach. But then as you get into it, you begin to realise that despite the fact that it is global and you’re separated by great distances, there’s a certain amount of energy and magnetism that the channel has that brings people together,.
“It’s all brands [across categories] in the channel, it’s retailers, airports and airlines, and everyone comes together to build one strong quaternity. And despite being separated by distances, we forge strong relationships and partnerships that are quite endearing. And there’s this uniqueness this channel creates in terms of working in it, a vibrant energy that has made the last seven years so very rewarding.” Look out for a fuller interview with Mohit Lal coming soon.
Lal’s career with Pernod Ricard family began in 2001, when the group acquired Seagram India. He also held roles as CFO of Pernod Ricard India; Financial Director of Irish Distillers; and Managing Director of Pernod Ricard India.
Pillet has a career spanning more than 30 years across Sales, Marketing and General Management and 28 years at Pernod Ricard. In 2002, Pillet led the creation of Pernod Ricard Peru and Chile as Managing Director before becoming CEO of Pernod Ricard Andes.
Pillet played a key role in developing Pernod Ricard Sub-Saharan Africa before being named Managing Director Pernod Ricard United Kingdom and later Managing Director Pernod Ricard Eastern Europe. ✈
