CIEL Group announces a transition within its financial leadership. Jérôme de Chasteauneuf, Group Finance Director, who has been a key architect of the Group’s financial foundations for over three decades, will retire on 30 June 2026. Issam Sarkis joins CIEL, effective 1st May 2026, as Group Chief Finance Officer, with a transition period planned over May and June to ensure continuity.
A Legacy of Financial Leadership: Jérôme de Chasteauneuf
Jérôme De Chasteauneuf joined CIEL in 1993 and has since been a defining presence in the Group's financial history. Over the years, he has guided the organisation through some of its most consequential milestones: strategic IPOs, cross-border expansions, complex M&A transactions, and wide-reaching corporate restructuring. As a pioneer of intricate financial re-engineering strategies, he has been instrumental in accompanying CIEL's evolution into the diversified, publicly listed Group it is today.
A graduate of the London School of Economics and a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA), Jérôme joined CIEL in 1993 following a career begun at PricewaterhouseCoopers in London. He was appointed Group Finance Director in 2013 and has served on the boards of several listed entities including CIEL Ltd, Alteo Limited where he is currently acting as Chairman, Sun Limited, Miwa Sugar Limited, and Riveo Limited.
"It has been a privilege to contribute to CIEL's growth over more than three decades. I have had the chance to take part in defining moments alongside exceptional teams and leaders. I leave with the conviction that CIEL is well positioned for the future, with strong foundations and an ambition that matches its potential." said Jérôme De Chasteauneuf, Group Finance Director, CIEL Limited.
Appointment of Issam Sarkis
CIEL Group is pleased to welcome Issam Sarkis as its incoming Group Chief Finance Officer. A seasoned finance executive with over 20 years of international experience, Issam brings a rare combination of strategic depth, operational expertise, and multicultural leadership to the role. His career has spanned across multiple countries, giving him a genuinely global perspective and the proven ability to lead in complex, international environments.
Issam joins CIEL following 15 years as CFO and Executive Director of Aspen Global Incorporated in Mauritius, where he played a central role in the company's transformation from a mid-sized enterprise into a global leader in branded and generic pharmaceuticals. During his tenure, he completed more than 40 major transactions with a combined value exceeding €6 billion, demonstrating exceptional capability in deal execution, strategic finance, operational excellence, treasury management and board governance.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut and a graduate degree in Management from EM Lyon, a French Grande Ecole. Beyond his technical credentials, Issam is known for his leadership style, his deep understanding of organisational culture, and his ability to build cohesive, high-performing teams. These qualities align with one of CIEL's values “Excellence at Core”.
Commenting on his appointment, Issam Sarkis said: “It's a privilege to be joining CIEL Group, an institution deeply rooted in the Mauritian heritage, with a diversified reach across sectors and geographies. Its strong foundations, ambitious vision and deeply held values made CIEL a natural choice for this new chapter in my career. I look forward to building on Jérôme's remarkable legacy and to partnering with the Group's outstanding teams to deliver sustainable value to all our stakeholders.”
The transition between Jérôme De Chasteauneuf and Issam Sarkis will take place over May and June 2026, to ensure a smooth handover for all stakeholders. CIEL Group thanks Jérôme for his contribution and welcomes Issam to the Group.
"On behalf of the Board and the entire CIEL team, I wish to express our profound gratitude to Jérôme for his exceptional contribution to the Group over more than three decades. His expertise, leadership, and dedication have left a lasting and meaningful legacy at CIEL. We wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement. We are equally pleased to welcome Issam, whose extensive experience, including leading international expansions, will be instrumental as we enter the next phase of the Group’s growth.” said Guillaume Dalais, Group Chief Executive, CIEL Limited.
