About Us

Legacy

Legacy

Our group was born in the 1830s as a trading house and stands today as a listed entity, with over 100 brands and 24 companies, serving a wide range of industries in Mauritius, the Indian Ocean and Africa.

For almost two centuries, our products and services have improved the lives of all Mauritians from farmers to industrialists, entrepreneurs, families and everyone in between.

But this description only scratches the surface. What we truly are, is a group grounded with strong purpose and values, which strives to deliver solutions which will shape the Mauritius of tomorrow.

As one of the first trading companies in Mauritius, Harel Mallac has contributed to the Mauritian economy by acting as a pioneer in major sectors.

1789

The company’s story begins in 1789, when Charles-Pierre Harel, from Saint-Malo, Brittany, France, was authorised by the Governor of Isle de France to charter merchant ships from Port-Louis.

1830

On its part, the Mallac family started their business activities in 1830 with a company bearing the name ‘P. Elias and Tristan Mallac’, which later became ‘P. Elias, Mallac et Compagnie’. Initially located at La Chaussée in Port-Louis, the company specialised in commerce, and insurance, while also supplying loans to local planters.

1893

Following the destruction of its premises by a fire in 1893, the company moved its offices to Rempart Street, now known as Edith Cavell Street.

1920

In 1920, the two businesses merged into ‘Harel Mallac & Co’.

1956

Incorporated in 1956, Harel Mallac & Co. helped buttress strategic Mauritian industries by supplying high-quality products, services and expertise.

1975

In the wake of the independence of its home country, the Group invested in the creation of a local fertiliser production plant to support Mauritian planters: The Mauritius Chemical and Fertilizer Industry (MCFI) was born.

1976

Harel Mallac opened the first retail supermarket in Mauritius, located in Curepipe, under the Prisunic franchise.

1988

Harel Mallac Computers made available to Mauritians the first personal computers (PCs), paving the way to everyday-use technology.

1991

Listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius since 1991, Harel Mallac stands today as a key conglomerate that remains true to the spirit of its “purpose” : to Make a Difference for the Better.

Purpose

Purpose

The actions we take today create the world of tomorrow.

As a group, we believe that our purpose “To Make a Difference for the Better for our people, our performance, our consumers and the planet” is the compass for our actions, and helps us provide long-term value to our clients, a positive environment for our staff, and leave a world of opportunity for future generations.

For the Better of our People

We are committed to unlocking the potential of the individuals within our group by celebrating diversity, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, and celebrating individual initiatives.

For the Better of our Performance

We are committed to challenging the status quo, being accountable, planning for the long term, and placing sustainability and innovation at the heart of our actions.

For the Better of our Consumers

We are committed to being consumer-centric, anticipating their needs, and offering genuine value propositions which differ from our competitors.

For the Better of the Planet

We are committed to building a better tomorrow. We do this by reducing our environmental impact, rethinking how we use energy and natural resources, and who we choose to do business with to ensure that our work does not impact future generations.

Executive

Executive Team

Learn more about our Executive Team by hovering over their respective profiles.

Learn more about our Executive Team by clicking on their respective profiles.

Photo of CHARLES HAREL
CHARLES HAREL
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Charles Harel holds a National Diploma in Management and Finance from the Cape Technikon, South Africa, as well as an MBA from the University of Birmingham, UK. He joined the Harel Mallac Group in 1993 as the General Manager of the Tourism and Retail Cluster. He was appointed to the Board of Directors in June 2006, and named Group CEO in January 2014.
Photo of CHARLES DUFOURCQ
CHARLES DUFOURCQ
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER - TECHNOLOGY
Charles Dufourcq holds a MSc in International Management and Finance from NEOMA Business School in France, and is an alumnus of the INSEAD executive program in Singapore. From 2000, he held various positions in the technology industry: first in sales and marketing, then in Singapore in 2008, as General Manager for BT Global Services, in charge of Sales and Marketing for the South East Asia Region. In the 10 years he spent in Asia, he also served as Managing Director for Blackberry Singapore and Microsoft Director for Professional Services division in Singapore. In 2018, Charles relocated back to France as an entrepreneur and investor and became the CEO of CETRAFACT, a specialised SaaS company, and CEO of Palo IT for the EMEA Region. He joined Harel Mallac in October 2022.
Photo of YANNIS FAYD’HERBE
YANNIS FAYD’HERBE
MANAGING DIRECTOR – MCFI GROUP
Yannis Fayd’herbe has a degree with majors in Economics and Industrial Psychology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Organisation & Management from the University of Cape Town and is an alumnus of the ESSEC General Management Program. Between 1999 and 2019, he held various positions in the textile industry, first in sales and marketing, then as CEO of N. Bellstedt & Co (Pty) Ltd (South Africa), Managing Director of KASA Textile & Co Ltd (2012-2017) and of Labelling Industries Ltd, Berque Ltee, Narrow Fabrics Ltd in Mauritius and of Labeltex SARL and LabelMada Ltee in Madagascar (2013-2019). Yannis joined MCFI in June 2019.
Photo of LAURENT GORDON GENTIL
LAURENT GORDON GENTIL
GROUP HEAD OF HUMAN CAPITAL
Laurent holds a BSC in Management and Human Resource (HR) Management from Curtin University (Australia), as well as an MSc in Professional Human Resources from BPP University (London). After working in various sectors namely BPO, engineering and manufacturing, Laurent worked for the Terra group as HR Manager - Projects and Services (2011-2015) before moving to the Medine Group in 2015 as Group HR Manager. He joined Harel Mallac in January 2021.
Photo of BELINDA WONG
BELINDA WONG
CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER
Belinda Wong brings extensive financial expertise with a degree and master’s in Business Administration from the University of Mauritius as well as a Master of International Business Laws from Paris-Panthéon-Assas University. Possessing a strong financial acumen, she forged a notable career at Rogers Group before joining Harel Mallac Group. Her directorship roles include listed companies Ascencia and Velogic. Belinda's leadership and financial acumen strongly support Harel Mallac's success.
BHAVISH SEWRAZ
GROUP HEAD OF LEGAL AFFAIRS AND COMPLIANCE
Bhavish Sewraz, appointed Group Head of Legal Affairs and Compliance in January 2024 is a qualified Barrister-at-Law and brings rich experience from his roles at Absa Bank and Juristconsult Chambers – DLA Piper Africa. Holding a 'licence en droit' from the University of Capitole, Toulouse, and postgraduate degrees from the University of the West of England, Bristol, and the University of Greenwich, London, he is well-equipped to ensure Harel Mallac Group adheres to the highest standards of integrity and legal compliance, contributing significantly to our continued success.
Photo of CHRISTIAN YONG KIANG YOUNG
CHRISTIAN YONG KIANG YOUNG
GENERAL MANAGER – PROJECTS AND INVESTMENT
Christian Yong Kiang Young is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the London School of Economics, UK. He was at MoneyGram from September 2009 to September 2015, with the last posting being Director -International Accounting & Reporting, and at KPMG from September 2002 until his last working day as Audit Manager in July 2009. In October 2015, he joined Harel Mallac as Group Financial Controller and accepted the challenge of managing the Group’s projects and investments portfolio in August 2016.
CANDICE COUACAUD
GROUP HEAD OF COMMUNICATION
Candice is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in marketing communications who joined Harel Mallac Group in July 2023. Holder of a master’s degree in Information and Communications from Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Candice worked as Project Manager in the tourism industry for more than 10 years in Paris. Back to Mauritius, she explored the passionate world of branding and marketing on Property Development projects. Prior to joining Harel Mallac, she served as Communication and Media Relations Manager for Rogers Hospitality. Driven by the ‘Walk the Talk’ attitude, Candice also teamed up with the NGO Reef Conservation to spearhead the organisation’s communication on funded projects.
CHRISTIAN NANON
GROUP HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION
Accomplished leader, Christian Nanon brings along an impressive expertise in sustainability and green ventures. Christian holds a Master of Science and Technology from Chimie ParisTech and an MS in Strategy & Organisation Consulting from École supérieure de commerce de Paris. He is also a holder of certificates from London Business School and Harvard in Sustainability Leadership and Sustainable Investing. Christian's career spans Omnicane, Mauritius Commercial Bank and Rogers Group contributing to strategic industrial, sustainability and energy projects. His expertise will fortify and push our group and its subsidiaries to explore sustainable and innovative paths.
KEVIN KISTO
GENERAL MANAGER OF NOVENGI LTD
Kevin holds a BSC in engineering, a diploma in health and safety, a masters in business administration, a certification in professional energy auditing as well as a license in lean six sigma. Kevin started his career in the sugar industry ending up in the position of factory manager at Medine Milling ltd, before heading to the cement industry as General Manager at Cementis (Mauritius) Ltd where he managed business operations, sales, marketing, HR finance and communications departments. Kevin joined the group in May 2024.
PATRICIA GRENOUILLE
MANAGER – HM SECRETARIES LTD.
Patricia Grenouille is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries UK (now The Chartered Institute of Governance, UK) and holds a Licence en Lettres Modernes from Université de la Réunion. She joined Harel Mallac & Co. Ltd in 1988 and holds, since 2008, the position of Manager - HM Secretaries Ltd; HM Secretaries Ltd acts as the Company Secretary for Harel Mallac & Co. Ltd, and its domestic subsidiaries, and some other legal entities.