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French spirits group Rémy Cointreau has announced the appointment of Franck Marilly as chief executive officer, effective 25 June 2025.

Marilly succeeds outgoing group CEO Éric Vallat, who announced his plans to step down last month after more than five years at the helm. Vallat will be leaving the group to pursue other opportunities this summer, and will work alongside Marilly to ensure a smooth transition prior to departing.

Under Marilly’s leadership, the group will pursue its value strategy as well as the development and implementation of new innovations with the aim of strengthening the desirability of Rémy Cointreau’s brand portfolio. The company wishes to consolidate its position in its key markets while also unlocking opportunities to expand into new territories.

Marilly brings more than 30 years of experience within renowned luxury and cosmetics groups such as Chanel, Unilever and Shiseido. He will also bring solid experience in international management, an area that Rémy Cointreau said will be crucial to the group’s collective success. Having lived in numerous European countries as well as the US, Marilly can offer strong knowledge of the spirits group’s key markets.

Marie-Amélie de Leusse, chair of the board of directors at Rémy Cointreau, said: “Recognised for his people-oriented management and corporate culture, Franck Marilly will be committed to promoting the diversity of our employees and their potential, while guiding them towards collective performance”.

She added that Marilly is expected to bring a “new dynamic” to the group, with the ability to “confidently address the group's new growth challenges in a complex macroeconomic and geopolitical context”.

“On behalf of the board of directors, we welcome him and wish him success in this new mission. We would also like to thank Éric Vallat for his commitment to this transition to ensure the continuity and success of our organisations,” she continued.

Commenting on his appointment, Marilly said: “I am delighted to be joining the Rémy Cointreau group, whose values resonate closely with my own. Originally from the southwest of France, I have a deep attachment to the land and the values of authenticity.”

Marilly said he will use his experience to support the group’s teams in a “dynamic of sustainable performance”.

“Together, we will continue to accelerate the group's development, capitalising in particular on the excellence of its know-how and its capacity for innovation, while meeting the expectations of a constantly evolving sector,” he concluded.