Gilly Castets

Harnessing Five Decades of Experience for Your Business Success

While I don't hold a university degree, my value lies in the wealth of practical knowledge and insights accumulated since 1979 in diverse business environments.

My career is a testament to hands-on learning and continuous growth, providing me with a unique perspective and skillset to support your business endeavours.

**Starting Strong in Retail**
At the age of 16, my career began as a junior retail sales assistant in womenswear. By 18, my dedication and high sales performance earned me a promotion to senior sales, and by 22, I had climbed to the role of Manager. These early years taught me leadership, customer service, and the importance of understanding market trends.

**Entrepreneurial Leap into Hospitality**
At 23, I ventured into entrepreneurship, becoming one of the youngest restaurant and bar owners in Courage Breweries’ group. Over a decade in hospitality, I gained hands-on expertise in **HR, VAT, profit and loss management, and marketing**, laying a solid foundation for future ventures.

**Returning to Retail Fashion Leadership**
After hospitality, I managed three fashion stores, overseeing nine staff members. My responsibilities included stock buying, merchandising, marketing, inventory control**, and basic accounting—skills that sharpened my business acumen.

**A Career Pause with Purpose**
Taking a seven-year break to raise my children didn’t slow me down. During this time, I retrained as a health and beauty expert and launched a successful home salon.

**Leadership in Health & Wellness**
As manager at Aqua Santé Health Spa, I led a team of 10 staff, implemented computer booking systems, set performance targets, developed client treatments, and even gave presentations to audiences of up to 100 people.

**Driving Growth in the Charity Sector**
Transitioning into business development for a hospice charity was a pivotal moment. Managing a £500,000 budget, I opened a chain of charity shops, supervised 20 staff and 50 volunteers, and gained formal qualifications in business management with Dale Carnegie. Joining The Institute of Leaders and Managers marked another milestone.

**Innovation Abroad**
After relocating to France, I completed formal training with the Chambre des Métiers et de l'Artisanat. This qualification enabled me to open France’s first expert skin center—a pioneering achievement.

**Resilience Through Challenges**
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a pause but also reinforced my adaptability and resilience. Today, with decades of diverse experience spanning retail, hospitality, health & wellness, and business development, I bring unparalleled expertise to any venture.

This journey proves that success isn’t about degrees—it’s about passion, adaptability, and lifelong learning.