Pernod Ricard, a France-based drinks group, said Tuesday it has appointed Jean-Manuel Spriet as the new managing director of its Korean unit.

Spriet currently heads the global corporation’s British unit and will replace Franck Lapeyre, who was promoted to chief of Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Americas based in the U.S. after having led the Korean operation since 2008.

Spriet, 49, will oversee the firm’s management and performance in the local liquor markets starting Sept. 1, the company said.

Since he began his career in 1990 as an internal auditor, Spriet has held a variety of posts at the global corporation involving finance, planning and information technology.

Pernod Ricard is one the world’s top spirits and wine producers. In Korea, it sells brands such as Ballantine’s and Imperial whiskies, Chivas Regal scotch, Absolut Vodka and Jacob’s Creek wines.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)