A meeting with Yannis Mahé, Commercial Manager for France, Belgium and Switzerland

Véto-pharma
2 October 2019
Portraits
4 minutes of reading

The Véto-pharma team is growing! In July, it welcomed Yannis Mahé as the new Commercial Manager for the French-speaking countries of Europe. We met with him to ask a few questions about his vision of his profession, his aspirations for Véto-pharma… and his relationship with the beekeeping world!

While he may be a newcomer to the world of beekeeping, Yannis already has considerable experience in animal wellbeing: he completed his undergraduate studies in animal physiology and neuroscience, and then earned a master’s degree in pharmaceutical industry management. His interest in animals led him to accept a position as a veterinary delegate for a canine health laboratory. He has always been fascinated by the beekeeping world: “I have always been captivated by the world of beekeeping, which seemed to me to be a noble cause, a profession that now needs more support than ever before due to the many risks and considerable setbacks that bees have faced in the last few years,” he explains.

In joining Véto-pharma, Yannis encountered a team that is “open, humane and likeable; as well as many beekeepers who have been eager to teach me about their world and its challenges”. Meeting the team and furthering his knowledge of beekeeping have also made Yannis consider setting up hives at his family home!

During this great leap into the world of bees, Yannis has also worked hard to familiarize himself with his new duties in France, Switzerland and Belgium. Largely focused around work in the field, Yannis’ responsibilities will involve forging close ties with all of Véto-pharma’s clientele: beekeepers’ unions, vendors, veterinarians, beekeepers, etc.

“In this profession, human relationships are key. I alternate between working at the headquarters in Palaiseau and travelling to visit clients. This chance to combine company life and contact in the field is a great source of inspiration for me!”

Véto-pharma has a wide variety of clients and products, and sales of medications are very closely monitored. A few excellent new products were recently added to the Véto-pharma line, namely connected devices that can be installed in the hives to prevent theft and monitor the hives remotely. The young sales manager finds this challenge compelling:

“Juggling a wide range of different products and clients requires a great deal of day-to-day adaptability. This reflects my approach to life: I’m a very energetic person, and I enjoy a number of different sports such as boxing, basketball and motorbiking. I’m a true jack of all trades, and a bit of a daredevil!” Yannis admits. “I also love outdoor sports, such as canyoning and hiking. Contact with nature inspires me in my work to protect endangered species such as bees. That’s why I’m pleased to have joined a team that shares my commitment to animal health. My professional ambition is to build a strong relationship of trust with both the Véto-pharma teams and with clients, in order to forge a long-lasting bond based on mutual support.”