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Who are we ?

“Classis, classem” (in Latin) means the crew. We chose this name to emphasise we are a cohesive, grounded team. In Africa, canoe crews are often the primary links and generators of economic development within and between societies.

classM is a crew of canoeists navigating towards the same goal, serving its clients needs.

Our vision: industrial projects are sustainable and profitable only if they are based on a thorough understanding of local context. The solutions we develop for our clients are based on this reality: “what is profitable is sustainable”.

Our know-how: inclusive approach (working with locals) and sharing the value created. The solutions that we develop for our clients are embedded into local contexts. We avoid implementing ready-made solutions and aim for co-constructing adapted, and therefore sustainable, solutions.

Experts in the field

In all the sectors in which we operate, our work is based on an in-depth analysis of the value chains. This enables us to identify the opportunities for value creation.

We offer support throughout the project cycle: needs assessment, market analysis, feasibility studies, in-the-field implementation, technical support, etc.

Our hands-on approach and in-depth knowledge of Africa allow us to better understand the challenges facing our clients. Our team promotes an entrepreneurial approach, where African populations’ needs and international groups’ objectives meet.

Our team

François-Xavier d’ORNELLAS

Jérémie MALBRANCKE

Vincent ABEILLE

Clara REVEL

Théophile DURIEZ

Bobby JJUUKO

Augustin RHONE

François-Xavier d’ORNELLAS

Chairman and partner of classM, François-Xavier d’ORNELLAS has nearly 30 years’ professional experience in project development and business unit management, both in France and internationally (Africa and South America).He is a graduate of ESCP-EUROPE.

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Jérémie MALBRANCKE

Jérémie MALBRANCKE, Managing Director and Partner of classM, has nearly 20 years’ professional experience in international studies and operations management, with a mastery of project cycle management: audit, monitoring, evaluation and formulation.He is a graduate of the Ecole Centrale de Paris and the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid.

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Vincent ABEILLE

A project manager, Vincent ABEILLE has worked for over 10 years in consultancy firms and for funding agencies. His key skills are project structuring, financial analysis and market research.He is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris and the University of St. Gallen.

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Clara REVEL

Clara is an agricultural engineer with degrees from ISTOM and AgroParisTech. She has 15 years’ experience in agriculture in tropical and developing countries, and previously worked for CIRAD on technology transfer to developing countries. She conducts studies related to the agro-industrial sector and supports operations on agronomic issues.

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Théophile DURIEZ

Théophile DURIEZ is a graduate of Sciences Po Bordeaux and the University of Stuttgart. He previously worked as a business consultant for the French Embassy in Cameroon and the Paris Ile de France Chamber of Commerce before joining classM in January 2021.

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Bobby JJUUKO

Bobby Jjuuko heads Pure Grow Africa Ltd, classM’s fruit and vegetable subsidiary in Uganda.A graduate of Aarhus University in Denmark with a passion for agribusiness, he is responsible for developing the product range for local and international customers in East Africa.Before setting up Pure Grow Africa Ltd, Bobby gained extensive international experience with local and international companies in the agri-food sector, particularly in cross-border trade between Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan and Tanzania.

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Augustin RHONE

Augustin is a graduate of Sciences Po’s Masters in International Economic Policy, where he specialised in international relations, project management and development economics. He previously worked in economic intelligence in Kroll’s Paris office, and in the developing countries sector.