France’s beer and wine conglomerate, Castel Group, is facing internal turmoil as family tensions and executive departures disrupt the company’s leadership.
Alain Castel, nephew of 99-year-old founder Pierre Castel, resigned this month from his role as director of Luxembourg-based D.F. Holding, the Castel Group entity that oversees much of the family’s global beverage operations, Bloomberg reported. Reports suggest Alain, alongside Pierre Castel’s daughter Romy, is seeking to oust the company’s CEO, Gregory Clerc.
Clerc, a Swiss national and former tax lawyer for the family, has led Castel’s operations for two years, marking the first time an outsider has headed the sprawling empire. In a LinkedIn statement, he acknowledged a “troubled” undercurrent within the firm but stressed he has the board’s “full support” to drive growth and development.
The Castel Group owns BGI Ethiopia and Castel Winery in Ziway. BGI Ethiopia operates seven breweries nationwide, producing iconic brands such as St. George Beer, Castel Beer, and Meta Beer, while Castel Winery produces wines including Rift Valley and Acacia from local vineyards.
As of now, there are no reports of direct impact on BGI Ethiopia’s day-to-day operations. The company’s local CEO, Pierre-Emmanuel Medard, appointed in May 2025, continues to oversee expansions and ongoing initiatives. BGI Ethiopia employs thousands, contributes billions in taxes annually, and holds a significant share of the Ethiopian beer market, competing closely with rivals such as Heineken.
The dispute highlights the challenges of generational succession in family-run businesses, particularly when an outsider assumes leadership. Romy Castel, reportedly seeking an extraordinary general meeting of the Investment Beverage Business Fund—which ultimately controls D.F. Holding.
The broader Castel empire spans 22 African countries with beer, soda, sugar plantations, flour, and distillery operations. It also includes the French wine business Castel Frères, along with Nicolas wine stores and online seller Vinatis. Political tensions in Africa, declining wine consumption in France, and global disruptions such as the war in Ukraine have already tested the group’s resilience.
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