“In the short term, Brexit is a leap into the unknown”

Name: Christophe Mathieu

Position: CEO

Age: 50

Zodiac sign: Leo

Civil status: Married with two daughters

Birthplace: Valenciennes, France

You joined Brittany Ferries when you left university in 1991. Could you briefly describe your career that led you to the top position in France’s premier ferry company?

I joined Brittany Ferries in Plymouth in the UK under a scheme for graduates, which replaced the national service. First I had worked in finance; then I moved to operations and revenue management.

In 2000, Michel Maraval [the then MD] asked me to move to Roscoff to take up the Group Business Controller position. In 2009, Chairman Jean-Marc Roué appointed me as the Executive Director in charge of strategic and commercial activities. Presumably he was happy enough with my achievements. In 2016 he asked me to take up the CEO position upon Martine Jourdren’s retirement.

You have been faithful to the same employer for the whole of your working life so far. This is quite exceptional. What is so special about Brittany Ferries?

When you joined a company in a sector you liked, where you felt good from the beginning, a company that has a very special history and values that matched those of your own and brought you one opportunity after another to develop your career, why exactly would you go elsewhere?

Brittany Ferries’ HQ is located in Roscoff, a remote and rural place in Brittany. Doesn’t this have more disadvantages than advantages?

Clearly during the winter it can feel a little remote but the quality of life in the spring and summer makes up for it nicely. Living by the sea in a beautiful area, being able to go home literally at 5 PM is a luxury that most Parisians and Londoners are crying out for.

As we put these questions to you, a no-deal Brexit was still a possibility. To what extent would a no-deal Brexit affect the businesses of Brittany Ferries?

In the short term it is a leap into the unknown, but we are operationally wellprepared. I am more concerned by the potential impact such an exit would have on the British economy and currency in a three-to-five-year period. Of course I would rather see an orderly exit, but we will cope, as we have always done. It is just that, for us, one scenario is more comfortable than the other.

As shorter routes are more likely to get clogged by customs checks, you could potentially benefit from a no-deal Brexit. Would you agree?

This is indeed a likely scenario in the short term, but I am always more interested in the longer-term fundamentals as well as political and microeconomic situations being right for business than the short-term, short-sighted quick wins.

To ease congestion at Dover in case of a no-deal Brexit, Brittany Ferries is one of the operators selected by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to provide extra capacity. How did this deal come about?

Quite simply, the DfT contacted us. We then negotiated a balanced agreement and both parties seem to be happy with it.

According to the DfT contract, you will add 20 sailings per week on three routes. In return you will be paid GBP 46.6 million. The contract included fair and proportionate terms for payment.

What’s today’s situation regarding this agreement? Will you still offer the extra capacity in case there is a deal or a solution?

As we speak in early April, and given all the uncertainties, we have now changed our schedules as per the contract to the end of September and have also committed to paying the costs. Should there be a last-minute deal we would not change back the schedules and the contract allowed for this situation.

A decision regarding replacement of the 1989-built St. Malo-Portsmouth ferry BRETAGNE was expected during 1Q2019. This plan may be obsolete now following the announcement of the chartering of a third E-Flexer, which will undoubtedly lead to a fleet reshuffle?

No, the BRETAGNE replacement project is still on-going, as, despite the great quality of and expectations we have for the E-Flexers, they are not suitable tonnage for the Portsmouth-St. Malo route requirements.

Brittany Ferries is poised to grow its freight business and become less dependent on the passenger market. Even so, freight volumes shrunk in 2018. How come? How will you turn the tide?

A lot of this will depend on the outcomes of Brexit. But we are confident that whatever happens, our passenger and freight strategies will remain complementary, with passenger carrying continuing to be our main activity. Sorry, I can’t share with you more details of our future strategies.

What do you love about your job?

Not a day like another and learning something new everyday.

What are your favourite pastime activities?

Jogging, motorbike-riding, going out to sea, and from time to time doing nothing, just contemplating life.

What was your childhood dream job?

Becoming a footballer.

What music do you like?

I like quite a wide range of music: from rock to rap to pop. But the older I get the more I like techno music.

What is your favourite holiday destination?

Galicia in Spain – it is extremely popular with Spanish people, but almost unknown to the rest of the world. I go there every year.

What is your favourite dinner and drink combination?

Galician seafood, including octopus, with a glass of Alvarinho. Asi me gusta!