In a statement sent to VerAngola, in which it "deeply regrets" the unexpected departure of the administrator, the group says that Philippe was married and a family man. He arrived in Angola in 1986 where he worked on the development of the oil industry. In 2009, he joined Grupo Castel as chief executive of companies in Angola, "a country he loved so much".
Over the years, they add, he contributed to the development of the Castel Group's activities and "recently launched and carried out with great enthusiasm and dedication the implementation of a maize production farm in Malanje".
He occupied the helm in successive crises, during the sudden drop in oil prices and, more recently, during the fight against the covid-19 pandemic, without ever losing his optimism, the statement adds.
"He was a good, generous and determined man, always listening to everyone, workers, partners, customers: he was a true leader," says Grupo Castel, noting that the administrator was an "Angolan at heart".