French beverage firm Pernod Ricard has announced that Pernod Ricard North America chairman and CEO Paul Duffy will step down from his position in December.

He will be replaced by Ann Mukherjee, who is currently serving as the chief commercial officer of S C Johnson & Son.

Duffy has informed the company about his intention to leave the group to return to Ireland.

Pernod Ricard chairman and CEO Alexandre Ricard said: “Paul will be remembered as one of our management team members who accompanied the growth of our Group over the last 25 years. We wish him the best for his return to Ireland.

“I am very pleased to welcome Ann to our Executive Committee. Her comprehensive marketing and commercial expertise will not only undoubtedly contribute to furthering the transformation of our ever-more consumer-oriented company but to achieving our first and foremost objective: to accelerate our growth in our number one market, the US.”

The company have said that Mukherjee will be replacing Duffy on 2 December.

In another development, Pernod Ricard Winemakers chairman and CEO Bruno Rain has also announced his retirement from the group after serving the company for more than three decades.

Bryan Fry, currently serving as the Pernod Ricard Pacific managing director, has been appointed as chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard Winemakers, also assuming the role on 2 December.

Ricard added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bruno for his commitment and contribution to the Group over the past 32 years.

“He has played a key role in the Group’s development, both in senior positions at Group Headquarters and leading Market and Brand Companies. We wish him every success in his future endeavours.”