Charles Perrier leads CIEL’s investment platform dedicated to renewable energy, driving the Group’s ambition to reach an 80 percent share in its energy mix by 2030. He oversees the selection and structuring of solar projects, builds strategic partnerships, and ensures that each investment delivers measurable and lasting impact. Through this work, he translates the Group’s renewable ambitions into concrete action, positioning the platform as a central pillar of CIEL’s clean energy strategy.
What motivates him most is the challenge itself. “Our target is an ambitious one,” he says. “It requires persistence, creativity, and collaboration. Every decision needs to contribute to something tangible and lasting. It’s a professional challenge with real meaning, and that motivates me to give it my best.”
Charles grew up in Rivière Noire, where he still lives today. From an early age, surfing, playing football with kids from the neighbourhood, spending time outdoors, and volunteering helped shape his values. They fostered resilience, discipline, and a deep sense of shared responsibility.
Today, as a father of two, Charles keeps that spirit alive. He still surfs whenever he can, runs through the trails of the Black River Gorges, and rarely turns down a game of football. Colleagues still recall his drive as a forward in the CIEL Head Office team during last year’s Group Foot Five tournament.
“I enjoy sports. They keep me grounded,” he explains. “They give me perspective and balance alongside my professional responsibilities.”
Charles’ career combines financial rigour with operational leadership. A graduate of EDHEC Business School, he began his career at EY France as a Financial Auditor, where he developed analytical precision, strong client discipline, and a structured approach to complex issues. In 2017, he joined CIEL Group as CFO of the Knitwear Cluster within CIEL Textile, leading corporate finance, digitalisation initiatives, and operational turnarounds. This experience now informs his management of complex energy projects involving multiple stakeholders.
Collaboration lies at the heart of his leadership approach. He leads the Group’s Renewable Energy Committee, bringing together representatives from each business cluster, alongside legal, finance, treasury, and sustainability teams. While each cluster advances its own energy roadmap, Charles ensures alignment, oversight, and coordination across the organisation: a careful orchestration of expertise, priorities, and shared objectives.
He values diverse perspectives and continuous learning. “I do not believe in having just one mentor,” he says. “I try to learn from everyone I work with, whether it is a way of negotiating, a technical skill, or simply an attitude that makes someone effective. When I see a quality I admire, I take it on board and grow with it.” This openness shapes how he leads, enabling him to draw on the strengths of others while maintaining a clear strategic direction.
Drawing on experiences shaped by collective effort and social responsibility, Charles Perrier approaches leadership with attentiveness, empathy, and a clear long-term vision. It is a perspective that continues to inform his commitment to meaningful and sustainable impact.
