Running Irish Distillers has been a springboard for promotion in Pernod Ricard on previous occasions. Richard Burrows went on to become group joint chief executive of the global drinks company, having started his career in the company in the 1970s as head of Bushmills, the whiskey distillery in Northern Ireland, which the company has since sold to Diageo.

But the recent appointment of Alexandre Ricard as chairman and chief executive of the Irish business has prompted speculation that the 36-year-old is being groomed for the top job.