Our Governance

Sylvain Charlois comes from a lineage of foresters and stave splitters whose craftsmanship has been passed down since the 17th century, generation after generation. Founder of the eponymous Group with an international reach, he upholds a demanding and contemporary vision of oak enhancement — from forest management to its most refined uses. With recognized expertise in high value-added oak transformation, he brings a comprehensive perspective to the entire value chain, shaped by a long-term vision, a commitment to transmission, and an intimate knowledge of the material.

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Education: Leaves school at the age of 15 to join the family forestry and stave mill business — founds the Group in 2005 at age 27.

Charles de Lorgeril comes from a family of winegrowers and was shaped by a journey spanning ventures around the world, the forest, business development, and organizational transformation. He brings a cross-disciplinary and distinctive perspective to the projects led by Charlois. His experience in governance and strategic leadership within structured groups enables him to actively support the development of Charlois. Attentive to people, to living heritage craftsmanship, and to the material itself, he champions demanding and responsible growth — faithful to the values of transmission and oak excellence.

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Education: Master’s Degree in Management & Public Affairs (HEC Paris) — Master’s Degree in Corporate and Public Management (Sciences Po) — Bachelor’s Degree (Sciences Po).

David Le Gac is a hands-on leader, deeply committed to craftsmanship and precision of execution. He ensures operational excellence and process control in service of quality and durability. Attentive to both teams and the oak material, he bridges tradition, industrial standards, and continuous improvement.

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Education: Operations Manager in the Wood Industries (Institut Supérieur de Management des Industries du Bois, Tulle).

Théo Vlad is an expert in forestry and oak, shaped by extensive hands-on experience. His collaboration with Charlois naturally took shape in 2020 through his forestry, stave mill, and cooperage activities in Romania. As Director of Major Projects for the Group, he brings his intimate knowledge of the resource, the territories, and the value chains to support structuring developments — guided by respect for living systems and the transmission of craftsmanship.

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Education: Master’s Degree in International Business Law (Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne) — HEAD (Hautes Études Appliquées du Droit).

Anthony Morel oversees management control, information systems, and financial reporting with rigor. Attentive both to data reliability and to on-the-ground realities, he supports decision-making and fosters controlled development in service of the forest, oak, living heritage crafts, and the Group’s high standards. He ensures that the rigor of our tools concretely supports the work of the women and men in the field.

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Education: Master’s Degree, School of Management (University of London, UK) — Postgraduate Degree in Finance and Management Control (Kedge Business School) — Engineering Degree in Production and Information Systems (Polytech Marseille).

Nicolas Mähler-Besse has a deep passion for wine, spirits, and the crafts that surround them. With extensive international experience in the wine and spirits industry and a rich background in cooperage, he leads the Charlois brands with high standards and creativity. Committed to the forest and to oak as a living material, he promotes the authenticity, elegance, and heritage of craftsmanship by building strong and inspiring brands — serving both enthusiasts and professionals.

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Education: Master’s Degree in International Sales (KEDGE Business School) — Bachelor’s Degree in Biology (Université de Bordeaux).

Sonia Charlois supports the women and men of Charlois with care, placing people at the heart of performance by valuing career paths, craftsmanship, and collective spirit. As the heir to a history deeply rooted in oak and the forest, she ensures that the Group’s culture reflects the passion of living heritage crafts while fostering an environment in which everyone can fully thrive.

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Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Foreign Languages (Université Bourgogne Europe).

Nathalie Toussaint-Varin safeguards the legal security and integrity of Charlois. She ensures the clarity of frameworks, the strength of commitments, and the smoothness of relationships, in support of projects and teams. Attentive to the forest, to oak, and to living heritage crafts, she carries out her role within a balanced approach — where legal rigor sustainably supports the Group’s activities and craftsmanship.

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Education: Master’s Degree in Business Law and International Law (Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne) — Master’s Degree in Intangible Asset Management (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle / IFIS) — Master’s Degree in Trademark and Design Law (CEIPI, Université de Strasbourg) — Master’s Degree in Criminal Law, Criminology, Psychology and Psychiatry (Diploma from the Institute of Criminology, Panthéon-Assas University).