The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Philippe Neusch has left his position as head of Pernod Ricard’s cognac division following two years in the role, according to reporting by Reuters. He will be replaced by Francois-Xavier Morizot, head of the group's champagne business.

In its report, Reuters said the leadership changes were confirmed in an internal memo seen by the news outlet. Morizot will oversee both champagne and cognac under one role at the French spirits group, which owns the Martell and Augier Cognac brands, as well as the Romanian brandy Ararat.

Pernod Ricard took charge of Martell in 2001, as part of the spirits group's takeover of Seagram. The group reported sharp sales declines within the Martell business in its Q3 FY25 financial results, published in April, citing the suspension of the duty-free regime on cognac in China Travel Retail and ongoing tariff uncertainty as key drivers of the decline.

The news follows leadership changes at all three of the world’s biggest cognac labels amid the current challenging sales environment. Moet-Hennessy has made a series of changes in its leadership since November, appointing former Dior executive Charles Delapalme as CEO for the Hennessy cognac brand from May 2025. Last week, Remy Cointreau named Franck Marilly as its CEO, following the resignation of Eric Vallat.

Pernod Ricard declined to comment on the changes when approached by FoodBev.