Charles Guimbeau: In the Shadow and Light of His Father

Charles Guimbeau, the new CEO of the Saint Aubin Group, is balancing family traditions with modern ambitions. Faced with financial challenges and human responsibilities, he is forging his path with clarity and determination.

At just 35, he represents a new generation of Mauritian entrepreneurs. As the new CEO of the Saint Aubin Group, Charles Guimbeau is revitalizing a two-century-old family business that has faced difficulties for years. Drawing on the memory of his father Eric, his passion for the land, and a forward-looking vision, he is writing a new chapter in this Mauritian saga, where courage and heritage coexist with sometimes overwhelming constraints and responsibilities.

Walking through the paths of the Domaine de Saint Aubin in the south of the island, Charles Guimbeau feels the weight of a long lineage of men and women devoted to the land. The group symbolizes a part of the country’s agricultural and tourism history, featuring its iconic estates – Saint Aubin, Bois Chéri, and Les Aubineaux.

"It’s an immense responsibility, but also a great pride," he confides, gazing over the sunlit sugarcane fields. "This place has over two hundred years of history. We’re not just running a business; we’re safeguarding a heritage, and looking after the men and women who have dedicated their lives to ensure its existence."

When Charles joined the family business after working in finance in France, the group was in a delicate phase. The numbers were in the red, and the future was uncertain. "For over ten years, it was very difficult," he recalls. "My father Eric had to fight to redefine our strategy, reinvest in our operations, and rethink our structures. It required a lot of courage, patience, and faith."

"I know he is watching over me, accompanying me. My goal is to live up to what he built."

Charles, who stepped into the storm alongside his father, never doubted, but the path was fraught with obstacles before the Saint Aubin Group could regain relative stability. "Today, we can say we are in the green. Our operations are consolidated, our brands recognized, and most importantly, our team is united." He emphasizes, "The success of the group is primarily the result of a team effort. Some employees have been here for four or five generations. It’s an immense recognition for us."

The memory of his father remains a guiding reference. A respected man, Eric Guimbeau embodied a balance between rigor and humanity. "I worked alongside him for five years. Those were the five most formative years of my life. I learned his management style, his attention to detail, but most importantly, his sense of human connection. He knew each employee by name and was always available to listen, understand, and find solutions."

He strives to carry on this pedagogy and approach while also adapting to modern business demands. "He taught me that leading is not about imposing; it’s about inspiring."

Under his leadership, the Saint Aubin Group adopts new strategies: modernization of infrastructures, digitalization, and enhanced customer experience. New products are launched, new partnerships are formed, and the Saint Aubin brand is now a local reference for artisanal excellence.

"My generation grew up with the Internet, speed, and digitization. We need to bring this energy into our businesses," he explains. "I believe in innovation, but I especially believe in meaningful innovation. To innovate is to respect the spirit of a place while evolving it with the times."

The group has also strengthened its sustainable initiatives: waste reduction, valorization of sugarcane by-products, short supply chains, and promotion of eco-responsible tourism. "We have a responsibility towards future generations."

Today, the Saint Aubin Group is a major player in the Mauritian economy, with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 600 million. Its estates – artisanal rum at Saint Aubin, tea at Bois-Chéri, and memory at Aubineaux – embody craftsmanship and culture. "These places tell a story," says Charles.

"The story of a country, of know-how, of a culture of taste and hospitality."

Straddling modernity and tradition, Charles Guimbeau forges his path with clarity. "Creating jobs, generating value, making sense: that’s what entrepreneurship is about." In his office, a photo of his father watches over him. "I know he is watching over me, accompanying me. My goal is to be worthy of what he built. And above all, to continue to keep this beautiful family story alive, with the same love, sincerity, and passion."

The Memory of His Father

The memory of his father remains very present, down to the smallest details of his daily life. His motorcycle, still parked in the family garage, is a precious symbol. "We keep it as a memory of him. He was a charismatic man, passionate, kind, and deeply attached to his country."

Political Ambitions

As the son of a man involved in public life, Charles also harbors the desire for future civic engagement. "Since I was young, I was often by his side in the field. I saw politics differently: not as power, but as service. My father always said that a good politician is one who brings a smile to people’s faces. And it must be done out of conviction, to help others."

Today, absorbed by his responsibilities, he does not yet dedicate himself to this pursuit. But in the future, he considers it. "I would like to one day contribute, in my own way, to the development of my country. To be close to Mauritians, to listen, to act. That is something that deeply inspires me."

His Family, His Passions

With Maria, his wife whom he met in France, they have just welcomed a six-month-old baby girl. "Becoming a father has made me even more responsible. We see the world differently. We want to build something sustainable, to pass on good values."

Despite a busy schedule, Charles makes it a point to preserve moments of calm: reading, music, and nature walks.

And if he had not chosen the business path? Charles would have liked to be a professional footballer. A great Arsenal fan, he still follows the matches whenever he can. "Football is the school of teamwork. Ultimately, a business is a bit like a team: you have to know how to play together, accept the diversity of talents, and aim in the same direction."