Olivier Gallard

Managing Partner, FrenchBlend South Africa, Cape Town

Olivier advises European premium and luxury brands on African market entry and operational execution. Based permanently in Cape Town, he specializes in the operational realities that determine success or failure in emerging markets — from distribution partner selection and production economics to managing brands through infrastructure volatility.

REGARDING OLIVIER

Olivier spent 20 years building operations for premium brands across China, Japan, and wider Asia-Pacific before establishing FrenchBlend's South African operations. His work spans market entry strategy, distribution network development, local production setup, and hands-on operational management—particularly in markets where infrastructure unpredictability demands sophisticated contingency systems.

At FrenchBlend, which he founded in 2012 with operations initially in Hong Kong and Tokyo (now independently managed), Olivier focuses on three operational domains for clients: managing premium brand operations through infrastructure challenges, building and optimizing distribution networks, and establishing local production where it creates competitive advantage over import models.

His approach combines strategic frameworks with operational execution—staying on the ground to implement rather than advising from a distance. This operational involvement, particularly in Southern and East Africa since 2021, gives him direct insight into the daily challenges that shape premium brand performance in emerging markets.

Olivier has authored comprehensive market studies on South Africa's premium consumer opportunity, including analyses of middle-class expansion, retail evolution, and operational resilience strategies for European brands entering volatile markets. His research follows high-skilled consulting methodologies, combining quantitative market data with operational insights from two decades of hands-on experience.

Olivier has graduated ESSEC Paris School and holds a Master's degree with honours in English Language from Université de Nantes

EXPERTISES

> Sales & Marketing

> Premium & Luxury Goods

> Fast Moving Consumer Goods

> Food & Beverages

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