France
Senior Executive with 25+ years leading enterprise value creation and growth in healthcare and nutrition across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, combining strategic business development and financial leadership, including oversight of 45 manufacturing plants and €6bn COGS across Europe, China and Oceania. Steered up to €7bn P&L, €1.8bn EBIT and €1bn+ free cash flow. Equipped with commercial acumen and business transformation abilities, recognised for agility, building and leading 100+ high-performing multicultural teams while delivering sustained financial performance through transformation, capital allocation, and disciplined execution. Based in France (Nantes/Paris), available for roles in Europe, UK, Asia and internationally.
Founded SAY Global Ventures as a strategic advisory and investment structure, bringing CFO-grade financial rigour, transformation expertise and Asia market knowledge to growth-stage and established companies across healthcare, FMCG, life sciences and AI/tech. Named in homage to economist Jean-Baptiste Say, reflecting a conviction that value creation stems from entrepreneurial initiative, resource allocation discipline and strategic insight. "SAY" also embodies a cross-cultural bridge philosophy: connecting European and Asian business ecosystems, translating strategic insight into global opportunity. Activities: Senior adviser to boards and executive teams on market entry, business strategy, financial performance and Europe-China business development Investor and board-level contributor to a portfolio of companies in healthcare and AI/tech Co-President, CEIBS French Alumni Chapter, facilitating Europe-China business connections and executive knowledge exchange Structure: Strategic advisory & investment · Healthcare · FMCG · Life Sciences · AI/Tech · Industry · Europe & Asia
Drove strategic business development and financial performance across Danone's China North Asia & Oceania region : a €3.7bn P&L (c. 13% of group sales), 30% EBIT margin, 8,000 employees across China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Reported directly to the regional CEO & CFO, and functionally to the SVP Global Strategy & Business Development. Operated as the bridge between commercial strategy and financial discipline at regional level, setting-up new regional organisation, acting as co-CFO for one of Danone's most complex and high-stakes geographies. Key contributions: Owned the regional performance management framework, aligning financial KPIs with strategic priorities Led business development initiatives spanning market entry assessment in particular medical nutrition, dairy and beverages, portfolio optimisation, and strategic partnerships across China, North Asia, and Oceania Partnered with local CEOs and functional leaders to drive resource allocation decisions and sharpen return on invested capital Navigated a challenging macroeconomic environment in China, maintaining strategic clarity and financial rigour throughout a period of significant market disruption Built local leadership trust through cross-cultural effectiveness and partial engagement in Mandarin Scope: €3.7bn P&L · 8,000 employees · China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand · Direct reports: 6
Held a dual mandate combining regional operational finance leadership across Europe with continued oversight of the Global Specialised Nutrition division, carried simultaneously with the WBU Controlling Director role through end-2021. Reported to the Global Supply Chain Finance SVP and Division CFO. Owned manufacturing and supply chain finance across Danone's European operations in Dairy, Plant-Based and Water, covering 45 manufacturing plants and €6bn COGS across Europe, with continued responsibility for Global SN supply chain and industrial manufacturing finance. Key contributions: Provided financial oversight and control across a complex multi-category, multi-plant European manufacturing footprint Bridged operational finance and strategic divisional performance management across two concurrent mandates Supported post-merger integration and organisational transition within the Specialised Nutrition division during a period of significant structural change Led finance team restructuring, delivering headcount reduction and org simplification to align with the new company organisation structure. Scope: Europe operations (Dairy, Plant-Based, Water) · 45 plants · €6bn COGS (40% of Group COGS) · Global Specialised Nutrition oversight
Led financial control and performance management for Danone's Specialised Nutrition Worldwide Business Unit : a €7.2bn division representing c. 25% of group sales and c. 50% of group EBIT (24% margin), with a 100+ finance team spanning Europe, Americas and Asia-Pacific, encompassing Early Life Nutrition and Medical Nutrition. Reported to the Division CFO (2018–2021). Owned the full financial control, planning, and reporting function for the highest-margin division in the Danone group. Key contributions: Steered financial performance through a complex division merger, managing the structural, reporting and control implications across multiple geographies and legal entities Led financial resilience through the Covid crisis, combining supply chain finance and continuity planning, cost reduction and cash preservation programmes, and dynamic scenario planning to protect divisional performance through an unprecedented period of demand and supply disruption Oversaw financial planning, budgeting and forecasting cycles across a 100+ multicultural team, maintaining rigour and alignment across Europe, Americas and China / Asia-Pacific Partnered with divisional and regional leadership to drive capital allocation decisions, cost discipline and strategic prioritisation in a fast-evolving environment Scope: €7.2bn P&L · c. 50% of Danone group EBIT · 100+ team · Europe, Americas & Asia-Pacific
Delivered audits and consultancy on complex business structures, international tax advisory Business development of the firm's client portfolio. Served as Acting Financial Controller for Danone Ltd (Oct 2002 – Feb 2003), the assignment that initiated a 22-year career with the Danone group.