Our DNA

Who we are

CARAVELLE is a family-owned diversified group that invests in Industry and Services.

The Group has more than 30 years of experience in investing in France mainly through majority investments.

Owned by the Martel family, CARAVELLE is an agile, long-term shareholder investing its own equity in French SMEs (€50 to 300m turnover) to support their national and international developments.

The Group is based in Paris, with a consolidated staff of around 2 700 people.

History

Founded in 1995 by Pierre-André Martel (†2011), CARAVELLE started as a turn-around specialist successfully investing in pharmacy, industrial vehicles equipments, mecanics and software industries. As of 2007, turn-around investments were made through the company Arcole Industries in which CARAVELLE held a minority stake until 2014.

From 2012 to 2017, under the leadership of Hélène Martel-Massignac (†2018), the Group pursued its investment strategy in in bonis companies especially in industry, services, tourism and hospitality.

Since 2017, CARAVELLE is lead by Lorène Martel,  who had been Board member since 2011.

TEAM

4 Board members:

Marc-Olivier Laurent – Chairman
Pierre Martel
Stanislas de Quercize
Patrick Buffet

Lorène Martel

Lorène Martel

President
Lorène Martel President

Charles Vilgrain

Charles Vilgrain

Managing Partner
Charles Vilgrain Managing Partner

Charles started his career as an engineer at Coca-Cola, before becoming a strategy consultant at Alcimed. In 2007, he co-founded and managed AgroGeneration, one of the leading agricultural producers in Europe. In 2016, he joined Caravelle as Head of Investments.
Charles graduated from ENSAIA (agro-engineer) and holds an Executive MBA from INSEAD.

Claire Benoist

Claire Benoist

CFO - General Secretary
Claire Benoist CFO - General Secretary

She started her career in controllership in the industry and services sectors. She then spent 16 years in Private Equity as CFO of the management companies Montagu Private Equity, Korelya Capital and Kepler Cheuvreux Invest. She joined Caravelle in 2022, as CFO and General Secretary.
Claire holds a MA from University of Reading (UK) and an MBA from University of Richmond (VA).

Édouard de Beaufort

Édouard de Beaufort

Managing Director
Édouard de Beaufort Managing Director

Edouard started his career in investment banking at Lehman Brothers in London before joining CVC. In 2012, he became a strategy consultant at Bain & Co in Paris, before joining Apax Partners where he spent 5 years. In 2018, he joined Caravelle as a Director, before becoming Managing Director in 2022.
Edouard graduated from EM Lyon and INSEAD.

Thibaud Morin

Thibaud Morin

Investment Director
Thibaud Morin Investment Director

Thibaud started his career in Private Equity at EMCap Partners. He joined Caravelle in 2016 as an Associate and became Investment Director in 2022.
Thibaud graduated from HEC Paris.

Thomas de Metz

Thomas de Metz

Associate
Thomas de Metz Associate

Thomas started his career by co-founding Leto, a smart and secure ticketing system. He then became a strategy consultant at EY-Parthenon where he spent 3 years. He joined Caravelle in 2021 as an Associate.
Thomas graduated from HEC Paris.

Jean-Philippe Cavallier

Jean-Philippe Cavallier

Legal Manager
Jean-Philippe Cavallier Legal Manager

He started his career in 2010 as a Legal Officer in an accounting firm. He then worked as the Head of Legal Activities at Conseil Expertise & Synthèse in 2013, and joined Caravelle in 2020 as Legal Manager of the Financial Administrative Department.
Jean-Philippe holds a Master’s Degree in Business Law and a Master’s Degree in Private Law.

Sébastien Grélard

Sébastien Grélard

Accounting Manager
Sébastien Grélard Accounting Manager

After 13 years spent as Accounting Manager within the accounting firm Conseil Expertise & Synthèse, he joined Caravelle in September 2018 as the Accounting Manager for the Financial Administrative Department.
Sébastien has studied in Accounting (DECF).

Marc Noureux

Marc Noureux

Accountant
Marc Noureux Accountant

Marc started his career as an Accountant within the Marriott Group, and for the Relais & Château Tahaa 5 stars (French Polynesia) during 2 years. He then worked for the Four Seasons Megève 5 stars before joining Caravelle in 2019.
Marc graduated in Hospitality Management from IAE La Rochelle.

Josée Schollé

Josée Schollé

Executive Assistant
Josée Schollé Executive Assistant

Josée started her career in tourism, ans as Operating Manager at Proteg Services. She then spent 15 years at ITCOM Services, to become a Sales Administration, Purchases and Customer Relations Manager. She joined Caravelle in 2016 as the Executive Assistant of the CEO and of the Group's Financial and Administrative Department.
Josée has a Bachelor Degree in Modern Languages.

Virginie Vaillant

Virginie Vaillant

Personal Assistant
Virginie Vaillant Personal Assistant

Virginie first spent 10 years in London, operating in the Customer Service field for Eurostar, then for Land Securities. In 2018, she started working as a Personal Assistant for the Caravelle’s team.
Virginie has a Degree in English Literature and Civilization.

Activities

Divested activities