Wines & Spirits
Cognac, armagnac and premium spirits: brand strategy, international distribution and deals with major groups.
Background & Commitments
Gabrielle Poinot-Bougeret
Founder of ODYSSEIA, Transition Manager in General Management, and Company Director/Board Member, in France and internationally.
Founder of ODYSSEIA
Executive and
entrepreneur
As an executive and entrepreneur, for nearly 15 years I have supported companies through their growth, transformation and succession phases, in France and internationally. With experience in General Management, strategic steering, operations management and business development within family-owned small and mid-sized groups, particularly premium brands, I know how to combine long-term vision with operational efficiency.
Driven by entrepreneurial enthusiasm, decision-making courage, human leadership and a sense of responsibility, I work in your company as a Transition Manager and/or Company Director/Board Member with an approach that is demanding, pragmatic and deeply human.
My taste for challenges, my adaptability and my reliability allow me to rally teams, lead change and create the conditions for robust, principled and lasting performance.
Through ODYSSEIA, I support Executives and Boards of Directors who want to accelerate their development, secure their transformations and unlock the full potential of their company and teams in France and internationally.
+15 years
of experience
+€650M
in revenue generated
+150
distribution countries
+10
M&A Deals Signed
Areas of intervention
Key skills
Cross-functional operational expertise, serving performance and transformation.
- General management & leadership
- Transformation & change management
- Strategy & governance
- Business development & marketing
- International & premium sectors
- Operational & financial restructuring
- Multidisciplinary team management
- Mergers & acquisitions and asset disposals
- CSR & digital policy
- Crisis management & complex situations
Sectors of intervention
Multi-Sector Experience
From small businesses to international groups, Gabrielle works in sectors where high quality standards, strong brands and control of distribution make the difference.
Luxury & Retail
Premium and ultra-luxury brands: positioning, selective distribution and sales network development.
Food industry
FMCG and premium products: sales growth and negotiations with central purchasing bodies.
Industry
Premium joinery, agricultural and vineyard machinery: sales structuring and performance management.
Services
International mobility solutions: 2030 strategy with the Board and EMEA business development.
Premium hospitality
Support for senior management: organisation, business management and development of the establishment.
Healthcare & Veterinary Industry
General management and market openings, in France and internationally.
Packaging
Packaging trading for wines & spirits: complete restructuring and +50% revenue growth in one year.
Professional experience
A leadership career built in demanding environments, from very small companies to listed groups, in France and internationally.
Since 2023
ODYSSEIA
Founder & Managing Director
ODYSSEIA provides 360° support for the development of family-owned companies in France and internationally, particularly premium brands. Transition Management, Independent Director, Operating Partner.
2026 assignments
Senior Advisor at Aurian (craft liqueur maker & Armagnac)
General Manager of Smile Partner (international dental and hair care): 2030 strategy with the shareholder and development in France and internationally
Group General Manager at GENTA (international mobility solutions): 2030 strategy with the Board + EMEA business development
General Manager of Smile Partner (international dental and hair care): 2030 strategy with the shareholder and development in France and internationally
Group General Manager at GENTA (international mobility solutions): 2030 strategy with the Board + EMEA business development
2025 assignments
Sales Director at RPI Menuiserie (premium joinery)
Senior Advisor at Château de Lacquy (premium armagnac)
Sales Director at Hubertrack (agricultural & vineyard tracked vehicles)
Right-hand to the CEO at L'Yeuse (premium hospitality)
General Manager at Vétalis (veterinary industry), etc.
Senior Advisor at Château de Lacquy (premium armagnac)
Sales Director at Hubertrack (agricultural & vineyard tracked vehicles)
Right-hand to the CEO at L'Yeuse (premium hospitality)
General Manager at Vétalis (veterinary industry), etc.
2024 assignments
Operations Director at Uncle Nearest (Cognac for the USA)
Right-hand to the CEO at Élevage des Petits Castors (a unique dog-breeding business in France)
Operations Director at Maison Daucourt (premium French spirits)
EMEA & NAFTA President at Adults Only (premium alcohol-infused ice creams), etc.
Right-hand to the CEO at Élevage des Petits Castors (a unique dog-breeding business in France)
Operations Director at Maison Daucourt (premium French spirits)
EMEA & NAFTA President at Adults Only (premium alcohol-infused ice creams), etc.
2022-2023
Charentes Emballages Packaging Solutions (CEPS)
CEO / General Manager
Strategic, financial, legal, commercial and industrial restructuring of the 35-year local leader in wine and spirits packaging trading. Revenue growth of +50% and gross margin up +20% in 1 year.
2020-2022
Camus Holdings
Group Steering & Strategy Director / Right-hand to the CEO & Secretary of the Boards of Directors
Steering of governance and design of the strategy of the Group and its 10 international subsidiaries. Translation into action plans and supervision of their operational, commercial and industrial roll-out, in compliance with the Code of Ethics, CSR and Digital. Acquisitions and asset disposals. Signing of distribution agreements with major international groups. Management of the Covid-19 crisis. Succession of the Group to the 6th generation.
2019-2020
Camus La Grande Marque
Steering & Strategy Coordinator
Internal audit, overhaul of the cognac range, restructuring of the distribution portfolio across CAMUS/LAMBAY/LOUDENNE/MOUTAI, improved Governance, new ultra-luxury strategy through the Ateliers CAMUS.
2017-2019
Camus La Grande Marque
Sales Manager France
+900% growth in 2 years, from €300K to €3M in revenue. Management of 50 sales agents, 1 brand ambassador and a team of 4. Negotiations with national retail purchasing groups in supermarkets & Cash and Carry.
2015-2017
Brioche Pasquier
Technical Sales Representative, then Sales Manager
Growth from €10M to €14M in revenue in 2 years. +150% digital distribution. Merchandiser (2015): +250% revenue growth over the summer 2015 season in Charente-Maritime.
Academic background
Degrees & Certifications
Oenology & Luxury
Values & commitment
4 commitments that define me
Beyond the professional sphere, four pillars that deeply reflect my personality.
🚀
Entrepreneurship
Board Member - Les Entrepreneurs Charente
Defending and supporting local SMEs and mid-caps.
Patriotism
Operational reserve Captain
Base Commander's Steering Office, air base 709 Cognac-Châteaubernard - French Air and Space Force.
🍇
Terroir
Musketeer of Armagnac, 4th generation
Ambassador of French gastronomic traditions and heritage. Passing on a family legacy rooted in the winegrowing culture of South-West France.
🎾
Sport
Tennis competition squad
County and regional championships. Sporting competition as a school of self-improvement, team spirit and resilience.
Network & associations
My commitments
A rich and diverse network, serving the community and the economy.
Business
Les Entrepreneurs
Board Member - Les Entrepreneurs Charente
MEDEF
Active member MEDEF Charente
CharentExport
Active member
Christian Entrepreneurs and Executives (EDC)
President of Young EDC Poitou-Charentes LimousinActive member EDC Cognac Philibert Vrau team
Centre des Jeunes Dirigeants (CJD)
Active member and Board member of CJD Cognac
Transition Management Grand Sud Ouest (MTGSO)
Active member - Poitou-Charentes representative
French Institute of Directors (IFA)
Active member and member of the Board Secretaries Club
Society for the Encouragement of National Industry (SEIN)
Active member
France Reprises
Ambassador
Service
Let's talk about your project
Would you like to know more about my background, or explore how I could support your company? I am available for a 30-minute video call.