Christian Barré has retired and stepped down from his position as chief govt officer of Havana Membership, with Michael Merolli, former CEO of Home of Tequila, taking his place.
Barré has been with Pernod Ricard since 1997 and beforehand labored with the French agency as CEO of its Swiss and Mexico operations.
Barré took up the place of Havana Membership’s CEO in July 2017, marking practically eight years on the helm of the Cuban rum model.
Michael Merolli has stepped up in his place, making the change from Tequila to rum, having served as CEO of Pernod Ricard’s Home of Tequila division for the previous 5 years.
A press release on Barré’s departure from Havana Membership mentioned: “After 38 years of devoted service at Pernod Ricard, Christian Barré retires from his position as CEO of Havana Membership Worldwide – marking the tip of an distinctive profession, together with practically eight years on the helm of Havana Membership.
“Throughout his tenure, Christian performed a pivotal position in establishing Havana Membership because the world’s main super-premium aged rum, rising the model’s presence to the purpose the place it’s now obtainable in additional than 125 nations, whereas championing the legacy of Cuban rum on the worldwide stage.
“Christian is succeeded by Michael Merolli, former CEO of Home of Tequila, who brings a confirmed observe report in world brand-building and a transparent ambition to guide Havana Membership into its subsequent chapter.”
Barré has beforehand spoken out on the long-running Cuba-US embargo, which restricts the model from accessing the US, but accounts 35% of the world’s rum market.
The model is within the strategy of making use of for a geographical indication (GI) for Cuban rum with the European Union (EU).
Havana Membership grew its gross sales by 1% in fiscal 2025 and was the fifth biggest-selling rum model on the planet, in line with The Model Champions 2025 report.
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