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HEC Paris Executive MBA Graduate Lands Dream Role Running LVMH Wine Estate

Mathieu Meyer is an estate director for an LVMH vineyard in Southern France's Côte d'Azur, a role which is the culmination of a lifelong ambition. The HEC Paris Executive MBA helped him get there

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Thu Feb 25 2021

BusinessBecause
Mathieu Meyer always dreamed of running a winegrowing estate. After completing the HEC Paris Executive MBA, he realized his lifelong ambition. 

The Frenchman grew up in West Africa, in the tropical climates of Burkina Faso and the Côte d’Ivoire. After finishing school, he returned to France for his degree in winemaking and viticulture, before embarking on a career in luxury wines and spirits. 

His journey took him around the wold. He distilled rum in Trinidad and Tobago, produced sparkling wine in Melbourne, Australia; he even led a team of Champagne engineers in using machines to recreate the winemaking process which has been done by hand for centuries. 

After completing an EMBA at HEC Paris in 2019, Mathieu became estate director for Château de Galoupet, a major rosé winery and vineyard in Southern France and part of luxury conglomerate, LVMH. 


LVMH around the world

Fond memories of his childhood meant Mathieu had always wanted to move abroad after completing his winemaking training. His first job after completing his degree was with LVMH, who offered him the rare opportunity to set up a production line in the Caribbean for 10 Cane Rum. 

At just 24, he was charged with establishing an industrial scale distillery on Trinidad and Tobago, requiring him to build a network with local producers, source ingredients, and maintain the quality of the rum. 

“It was a great opportunity, with a lot of freedom, but also a lot of hard work to learn things on the spot,” he says. 

After making that role his own for six years, Mathieu left the island in search of a new challenge. He found it in Australia, working for Chandon, a sparkling wine brand in the family of LVMH products. There, he spent four years running operations for their Melbourne, West Australian and New Zealand wineries. 

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The new role found Mathieu in charge of logistics, managing the purchasing and packaging of the various Chandon sparkling wines. He relished the opportunity to grow his understanding of winemaking.

“I spent my career doing all the jobs that I would eventually have to manage if I was in charge of an estate,” he says. 

Mathieu returned to France in 2010, after a decade abroad. He moved to the Champagne region for a role coordinating investment projects across six LVMH brands, including Dom Pérignon, and Veuve Clicquot. 

Globetrotting gave Mathieu valuable experience and an understanding of the processes of luxury wine-and-spirit making. After 13 years, he felt he had covered the industrial side of running an estate, however, with managing aspects of business, like finances and marketing, also a major part of the job, he felt an executive MBA would help fill in the gaps and allow him to secure his dream role. 

“You have to run the business, understand finance and the marketing side, and manage resources on a pretty big scale. I felt that I was missing that knowledge,” he says.


Choosing the HEC Paris Executive MBA

The HEC Paris EMBA was the perfect choice for Mathieu because of its reputation as one of Europe's best business schools. As a bonus, its location meant he wouldn't have to travel much for his studies. 

The structure of the program would also allow Mathieu to balance his studies with managing a team of Champagne engineers with LVMH.    

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The program's ranking (the HEC Paris EMBA was ranked third in the world by the Financial Times in 2020) assured Mathieu he would be getting an exceptional business education to match his real world experience. 

He felt he needed to acquire a level of understanding that would allow him to confidently cover all of the areas an estate director deals with daily, and that the program would offer him a safe space for learning.  

“You really feel free to try new things, to suggest new ideas, and to speak your mind,” he says. 

The HEC EMBA's luxury management specialization, which is tailored for participants interested in marketing for luxury brands, proved to be another driving force behind his decision. 

“I did that specialization and had no regrets because it was one of the best classes in the whole EMBA,” he says. 


Director of an LVMH wine estate

LVMH invested in Mathieu by sponsoring his EMBA tuition. Completing the program was proof he was ready to take on a role as director of one of the company’s estates in the Côte d’Azur

With his newfound business understanding added to the wealth of experience he already had across winemaking, he is thriving in his new position.

“It allows me to speak up much more easily because I know that what I am saying is right and based on sound reasoning,” he says. 

“Day-to-day, it helps me with management, and with the wider company I now understand more about finance, marketing, and strategy.”

LVMH’s investment looks to be paying off, as they have recently chosen Mathieu for a central role in a new large investment project in the region, a prospect which will see his management skills tested, and his career continue to grow. 

“The Executive MBA is one of the connecting dots on the path which brought me here, so I am very happy to have done it,” he says.

Student Reviews

HEC Paris

Student

Verified

7/07/2022

On Campus

Cultural experience

I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.

Sarah

Verified

18/03/2022

On Campus

Internationality and diversity of opportunities

About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.

Student

Verified

29/10/2021

On Campus

Great selection of people

While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.

Veronique

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

Best in France for Grande ecole

A prestigious business school. Languages ​​are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments. The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.

Ghadi

Verified

11/06/2022

On Campus

Diversity and quality of fellow students

Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.

Student

Verified

27/03/2022

On Campus

The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs

The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.

Lb

Verified

26/03/2022

On Campus

HEC Paris awaits you

HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.

Rajarshi

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

A dream institute

Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions. The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!

Student

Verified

19/10/2021

On Campus

Good choice for a career boost

The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.

Student

Verified

7/07/2022

On Campus

Cultural experience

I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.

Sarah

Verified

18/03/2022

On Campus

Internationality and diversity of opportunities

About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.

Student

Verified

29/10/2021

On Campus

Great selection of people

While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.

Veronique

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

Best in France for Grande ecole

A prestigious business school. Languages ​​are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments. The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.

Ghadi

Verified

11/06/2022

On Campus

Diversity and quality of fellow students

Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.

Student

Verified

27/03/2022

On Campus

The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs

The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.

Lb

Verified

26/03/2022

On Campus

HEC Paris awaits you

HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.

Rajarshi

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

A dream institute

Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions. The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!

Student

Verified

19/10/2021

On Campus

Good choice for a career boost

The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.

Student

Verified

1/06/2024

On Campus

Diverse

HEC, as an academic institution, serves as a launching pad for students to excel in their pursuits and careers. The diversity among students and professors is truly remarkable. The chance to attend seminars across five major continents is unparalleled. The exposure and relationships it fosters are invaluable.

Student

Verified

31/05/2024

On Campus

Super diverse

It's a super diverse and fascinating environment with tons of chances, but the management is very French, and the facilities like the gym and classrooms are not great. This makes the academic side quite ineffective. Plus, we're graded on a curve, leading to a competitive and sometimes toxic atmosphere. Despite all that, the benefits definitely overshadow the drawbacks.

John

Verified

10/06/2024

On Campus

Surreal academic experience

What stood out to me about HEC was the direction and insight it offered on coding approaches. Prior to joining the program, I attempted self-learning, but I felt disoriented and lacked a starting point.HEC enabled me to grasp the basics of programming and provided support when I encountered obstacles. Without that guidance, I doubt I would have achieved the progress I have made to date.

John

Verified

10/06/2024

On Campus

Good security

HEC boasts a dedicated team of security personnel who undergo rigorous training to ensure the perpetual maintenance of tranquility and orderliness within the institution. Their unwavering efforts are directed towards fostering a sense of security among the student body, thereby enabling them to channel their energies predominantly towards their academic pursuits.

Student

Verified

17/07/2024

On Campus

Innovative teaching method

I am thoroughly enjoying my time at HEC, from the innovative teaching methods to the welcoming campus environment, which is particularly supportive of international students. The extracurricular opportunities, such as sports and associations, are incredibly valuable. Additionally, the career services offered are exceptional. Overall, I find my experience at HEC to be truly enriching.

Student

Verified

3/10/2024

On Campus

mim

HEC Paris has been a transformative experience for me. The caliber of the faculty, the diversity of the student body, and the global network it offers are unmatched. The curriculum is highly flexible, allowing students to tailor their learning experience to their career goals, and the focus on real-world application through case studies and consulting projects provides invaluable hands-on experience. The campus itself is beautiful, and the opportunities to engage with leading companies through internships, competitions, and networking events have been incredible. HEC truly prepares you to be a leader in today's complex business world. I couldn’t have asked for a better program to propel my career forward.

Student

Verified

21/09/2024

On Campus

Unwavering enthusiasm

Here's the first paragraph: I embarked on a journey to Paris, where HEC University welcomed me with open arms. As I stepped onto its prestigious campus, I was captivated by the infectious energy and innovative spirit that filled the air. The passionate faculty, industry experts, and fellow visionaries from around the globe shared their knowledge with unwavering enthusiasm."

Student

Verified

9/10/2024

On Campus

Exceptional Experience

HEC offers an exceptional experience that I highly recommend. The small-town setting allows for a unique blend of academic rigor and community engagement. The peaceful campus and close-knit student body create a warm environment. Proactive engagement with professors yields valuable guidance. Friendships may blossom slowly, but persistence pays off. The city's beauty, scenic views, and diverse eateries near campus enrich the experience. University dining may not impress, but it's decent.

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