Return of Bonnefond?

With negotiations between Rémy Cointreau and the Société Européenne de Participations Industrielles (EPI) still on-going over the sale of the former’s Champagne wing, speculators are tipping Cécile Bonnefond to lead EPI’s latest acquisitions.

The deal between EPI and Rémy Cointreau was still not finalised by the end of March and another committee is scheduled for 27 April.

The main stumbling block in the deal so far relates to the levels of debt that Piper and Charles Heidsieck have fallen into.

French newspaper L’Union has speculated who might be best placed to take the two brands in hand when they are fully incorporated into EPI, which should be sometime in mid-May.

According to L’Union, Bonnefond – who joined EPI after many years at LVMH where she was director of Veuve Clicquot from 2001-2009 and then a short spell at Franck & Fils – is the most likely candidate to take over at the two Champagne brands, particularly as she was apparently involved in opening discussions between EPI and Rémy Cointreau.

However, the newspaper also raised the problem of recognition for the two Heidsieck brands internationally when faced with the ubiquitous Heidsieck Monopole, part of the Vranken-Pommery-Monopole stable.

“How,” it asked, “can she make Piper stand out?”

Rupert Millar, 21.04.2011