Meet the team

Sparkfood team

Strong experience and governance that will unlock your business potential

Jean-Baptiste
Bachelerie
CEO
Enthusiastic about Food & Ag-Tech, with a strong ability to support and lead companies to grow and scale fast in a very disruptive market.
With 20+ years business experience in the Food industry, Jean-Baptiste worked for Nestlé, Danone, Louis Dreyfus and Avril group, in different geographies. Before embracing our project, Jean-Baptiste was deputy CEO of Creadev, the private equity and venture investment arm of the Mulliez family.
Jean-Baptiste
Bachelerie
CEO
Enthusiastic about Food & Ag-Tech, with a strong ability to support and lead companies to grow and scale fast in a very disruptive market.
With 20+ years business experience in the Food industry, Jean-Baptiste worked for Nestlé, Danone, Louis Dreyfus and Avril group, in different geographies. Before embracing our project, Jean-Baptiste was deputy CEO of Creadev, the private equity and venture investment arm of the Mulliez family.
Ana
Verde
Head of Finance and Impact
Pragmatic and action-oriented, with an innate capacity to drive teams and projects towards ambitious goals.

With 10+ years experience in the financial world, Ana worked in the Portuguese Private Equity market and in Sonae Group’s M&A team, driving deal processes and value creation initiatives, while working side by side with management teams across several sectors.
Ana
Verde
Head of Finance and Impact
Pragmatic and action-oriented, with an innate capacity to drive teams and projects towards ambitious goals.

With 10+ years experience in the financial world, Ana worked in the Portuguese Private Equity market and in Sonae Group’s M&A team, driving deal processes and value creation initiatives, while working side by side with management teams across several sectors.
Anouk
Veber
Head of Venture.s
Full of energy and ideas, with a strong interest in the fight against climate change and therefore in the agri-food sector.

With an international background in 6+ countries, Anouk is a top tier business school graduate with degrees from Bocconi and ESCP Europe. After a first experience at Pernod Ricard, she worked for 3+ years at Capagro, a VC fund dedicated to Ag-tech and food-tech in Paris with a great exposure to portfolio companies, LPs and co-investors.
Anouk
Veber
Head of Venture.s
Full of energy and ideas, with a strong interest in the fight against climate change and therefore in the agri-food sector.

With an international background in 6+ countries, Anouk is a top tier business school graduate with degrees from Bocconi and ESCP Europe. After a first experience at Pernod Ricard, she worked for 3+ years at Capagro, a VC fund dedicated to Ag-tech and food-tech in Paris with a great exposure to portfolio companies, LPs and co-investors.
Carolina
Mesquita
Head of Transformation Projects
Expert in transformation and believes it is best achieved through structured processes, collaboration and encouraging the right behaviours.
Carolina has a strong background leading change management projects, mainly focusing on leadership development. She worked at Bosch for 18 years across several countries, including Portugal, UK, Germany and The Netherlands.
Carolina
Mesquita
Head of Transformation Projects
Expert in transformation and believes it is best achieved through structured processes, collaboration and encouraging the right behaviours.
Carolina has a strong background leading change management projects, mainly focusing on leadership development. She worked at Bosch for 18 years across several countries, including Portugal, UK, Germany and The Netherlands.
Ludovic
Reysset
Head of Alternative.s
Passionate about growth in the Food industry, with extensive international experience.

With 25 years of experience at Danone, Ludovic took on different topline roles across the globe, including Head of Key Accounts in Brazil, Sales Director in Japan and Italy and Worldwide VP Sales. Before joining Sparkfood, Ludovic was General Manager of Danone Portugal.
Ludovic
Reysset
Head of Alternative.s
Passionate about growth in the Food industry, with extensive international experience.

With 25 years of experience at Danone, Ludovic took on different topline roles across the globe, including Head of Key Accounts in Brazil, Sales Director in Japan and Italy and Worldwide VP Sales. Before joining Sparkfood, Ludovic was General Manager of Danone Portugal.
Ricardo
Carvalho
Head of Ingredient.s
Dreamer with a strategic mindset and a natural problem solver ability.
A neuroscientist by training with 15+ years experience in strategy and business development, Ricardo has been working at different businesses within the Sonae Group for the past 12 years. Before joining Sonae, he worked for 3 years at McKinsey, between Lisbon and Angola.
Ricardo
Carvalho
Head of Ingredient.s
Dreamer with a strategic mindset and a natural problem solver ability.
A neuroscientist by training with 15+ years experience in strategy and business development, Ricardo has been working at different businesses within the Sonae Group for the past 12 years. Before joining Sonae, he worked for 3 years at McKinsey, between Lisbon and Angola.
Teresa
Cabral Menezes
Head of People, Culture & Communication
Teresa is driven by an innate enthusiasm for nurturing inclusive cultures and empowering people and teams.
With 18+ years experience in people, culture and communication, Teresa has a proven track record in fostering inclusive cultures and driving engagement within organisations, while ensuring best in class talent management approaches. She started her career in the telco industry, having developed deep expertise in communications.
Teresa
Cabral Menezes
Head of People, Culture & Communication
Teresa is driven by an innate enthusiasm for nurturing inclusive cultures and empowering people and teams.
With 18+ years experience in people, culture and communication, Teresa has a proven track record in fostering inclusive cultures and driving engagement within organisations, while ensuring best in class talent management approaches. She started her career in the telco industry, having developed deep expertise in communications.
Cristina
Gúzman Hurtado
Senior associate
Cristina is an energetic and execution-driven professional with over 8 years of experience in impact investing. She holds a master’s degree in banking and finance from Utrecht University. Throughout her career, she has consistently focused on impact-first initiatives. Previously, Cristina worked at Triodos Investment Management in the Netherlands and later joined an Article 9 Spanish venture capital firm. At Sparkfood, she leads investments in innovative projects aimed at promoting sustainability in the food industry.
Cristina
Gúzman Hurtado
Senior associate
Cristina is an energetic and execution-driven professional with over 8 years of experience in impact investing. She holds a master’s degree in banking and finance from Utrecht University. Throughout her career, she has consistently focused on impact-first initiatives. Previously, Cristina worked at Triodos Investment Management in the Netherlands and later joined an Article 9 Spanish venture capital firm. At Sparkfood, she leads investments in innovative projects aimed at promoting sustainability in the food industry.
Guilherme
Amado
Associate
Guilherme is a dynamic and forward-thinking professional with a deep commitment to investing in and scaling impactful business models.
Experienced in M&A strategy, he has navigated various phases of the M&A lifecycle, including due diligence, Day 1 preparation, and post-merger integration. At Sparkfood, he is leveraging his knowledge and expertise to drive successful investments and foster value creation and strategic growth.
Guilherme
Amado
Associate
Guilherme is a dynamic and forward-thinking professional with a deep commitment to investing in and scaling impactful business models.
Experienced in M&A strategy, he has navigated various phases of the M&A lifecycle, including due diligence, Day 1 preparation, and post-merger integration. At Sparkfood, he is leveraging his knowledge and expertise to drive successful investments and foster value creation and strategic growth.
Joana
Sousa
Senior associate
Joana is a healthy food lover with enthusiasm for sustainable business transformation.
Through her experience as a strategic and operational consultant, Joana has participated in several projects in various industries, becoming knowledgeable in business strategy, project management, digital transformation and PMO projects. In addition, Joana’s experience in remote communities, particularly in Africa and Asia, has created a greater awareness for health and waste issues.
Joana
Sousa
Senior associate
Joana is a healthy food lover with enthusiasm for sustainable business transformation.
Through her experience as a strategic and operational consultant, Joana has participated in several projects in various industries, becoming knowledgeable in business strategy, project management, digital transformation and PMO projects. In addition, Joana’s experience in remote communities, particularly in Africa and Asia, has created a greater awareness for health and waste issues.
João
Baptista
Senior associate
João is a nature enthusiast with an innate business development mindset.
Through his economics’ education and journey at Sonae, he became experienced in corporate strategy, business planning, portfolio management and transformational projects across multiple sectors.
At Sparkfood, he is committed to bring ideas and drive projects and actions to transform the food ecosystem.
João
Baptista
Senior associate
João is a nature enthusiast with an innate business development mindset.
Through his economics’ education and journey at Sonae, he became experienced in corporate strategy, business planning, portfolio management and transformational projects across multiple sectors.
At Sparkfood, he is committed to bring ideas and drive projects and actions to transform the food ecosystem.
Mafalda
Leite
Associate
Mafalda is a visionary who believes in revolutionizing the food system through
a healthy lifestyle.

With a background in Economics and a specialization in International Business, she acquired a strategic mindset when dealing with the ever-changing global economy. At Sparkfood, she is developing business planning skills to contribute with innovative ideas in order to create social and economic value towards sustainable growth.
Mafalda
Leite
Associate
Mafalda is a visionary who believes in revolutionizing the food system through
a healthy lifestyle.

With a background in Economics and a specialization in International Business, she acquired a strategic mindset when dealing with the ever-changing global economy. At Sparkfood, she is developing business planning skills to contribute with innovative ideas in order to create social and economic value towards sustainable growth.
Ricardo
Brás
Associate
Ricardo is a people’s person that believes that is always possible to improve how things are done in the world.

Through his studies in economics and business, Ricardo developed an interest in finance, strategy, and innovation. He wishes to convert those interests into concrete actions to change the planet for the better. At Sparkfood, he is focused on finding the next innovative companies in the foodtech world so that he can help the food ecosystem progress.
Ricardo
Brás
Associate
Ricardo is a people’s person that believes that is always possible to improve how things are done in the world.

Through his studies in economics and business, Ricardo developed an interest in finance, strategy, and innovation. He wishes to convert those interests into concrete actions to change the planet for the better. At Sparkfood, he is focused on finding the next innovative companies in the foodtech world so that he can help the food ecosystem progress.
Rita
Rocha
Senior associate
Rita Rocha is a strategist focusing on impact as a driver of business value and growth.
Rita is experienced in corporate strategy, business planning, transaction strategy and execution, having worked for five years as a consultant for corporate and private equity companies across industries. At Sparkfood, she is leveraging her knowledge to lead change and shape ventures with a positive impact on people and the planet.
Rita
Rocha
Senior associate
Rita Rocha is a strategist focusing on impact as a driver of business value and growth.
Rita is experienced in corporate strategy, business planning, transaction strategy and execution, having worked for five years as a consultant for corporate and private equity companies across industries. At Sparkfood, she is leveraging her knowledge to lead change and shape ventures with a positive impact on people and the planet.
Sparkfood Experts

Resources with deep sector knowledge

Julie
Watson
Non-executive Director – Alternative.s
With a deep knowledge of FMCG, and a passion for healthy food, Julie has over 30 years’ experience of working both Locally and Internationally.

Julie worked for over 26 years in Unilever across all product categories, followed by 4 years in Danone headquarters in Paris. Julie’s career spans commercial, sales and marketing roles, she held International VP roles in both Unilever and Danone. Julie is now a business consultant to several top FMCG companies and a Non-executive director at Sparkfood.
Julie
Watson
Non-executive Director – Alternative.s
With a deep knowledge of FMCG, and a passion for healthy food, Julie has over 30 years’ experience of working both Locally and Internationally.

Julie worked for over 26 years in Unilever across all product categories, followed by 4 years in Danone headquarters in Paris. Julie’s career spans commercial, sales and marketing roles, she held International VP roles in both Unilever and Danone. Julie is now a business consultant to several top FMCG companies and a Non-executive director at Sparkfood.
Laurence
Denat
Non-executive Director – Alternative.s
Committed to Innovation, sustainable growth and collaboration, Laurence believes that diverse and inclusive teams can grow together and achieve everything they put their mind to.

Laurence is Managing Director at Google leading the Southern Europe region helping large clients make the most of the internet. She was previously Global Senior Marketing Director for Coca-Cola, in charge of Strategy and Innovation. With 25 years’ experience leading country, region and global teams, her expertise are strategy, marketing, innovation and commercial development.
Laurence
Denat
Non-executive Director – Alternative.s
Committed to Innovation, sustainable growth and collaboration, Laurence believes that diverse and inclusive teams can grow together and achieve everything they put their mind to.

Laurence is Managing Director at Google leading the Southern Europe region helping large clients make the most of the internet. She was previously Global Senior Marketing Director for Coca-Cola, in charge of Strategy and Innovation. With 25 years’ experience leading country, region and global teams, her expertise are strategy, marketing, innovation and commercial development.
Sarah
Martin
Expert – Ingredient.s
Sarah, who has a wealth of high-level experience in the food science and nutrition industry, is the former Chief Scientific Officer of Naturex, part of Givaudan, having also held global leadership roles at DuPont (now IFF) Nutrition & Biosciences.

Sarah has held various leadership roles in the food ingredient, personal care and nutrition fields, as well as the chemical industry which enabled her to develop expertise in areas such as processing technology, R&D, IP and portfolio & project management.
Sarah
Martin
Expert – Ingredient.s
Sarah, who has a wealth of high-level experience in the food science and nutrition industry, is the former Chief Scientific Officer of Naturex, part of Givaudan, having also held global leadership roles at DuPont (now IFF) Nutrition & Biosciences.

Sarah has held various leadership roles in the food ingredient, personal care and nutrition fields, as well as the chemical industry which enabled her to develop expertise in areas such as processing technology, R&D, IP and portfolio & project management.
Jean-François
Delage
Expert – Alternative.s
Actor of change in the Food Industry, with a strong experience in leading teams and engaging people to discover the unknown, managing uncertainties and risks.

With 36+ years business experience in the FMCG sector, Jean-François worked for P&G, Peaudouce and McCain in different roles across disciplines and geographies. In his last role at McCain, Jean-François led an Innovation Hub that developed a new brand platform heading the launch of a disruptive product range.
Jean-François
Delage
Expert – Alternative.s
Actor of change in the Food Industry, with a strong experience in leading teams and engaging people to discover the unknown, managing uncertainties and risks.

With 36+ years business experience in the FMCG sector, Jean-François worked for P&G, Peaudouce and McCain in different roles across disciplines and geographies. In his last role at McCain, Jean-François led an Innovation Hub that developed a new brand platform heading the launch of a disruptive product range.
Pamela
Darondeau
Expert – Alternative.s
Eager to support the obvious link between diet and health, Pamela is a Food Science Engineer & Dietitian a Food Industry & Nutrition expert.

After 15 years + business experience in marketing and product development of food recipes for retail (Carrefour & Picard), agrofood industry (Heinz & WeightWatchers) and catering (Café Bonjour), Pamela has become a healthcare professional. As a dietitian, she helps her patients transform their diet to become a healthy and durable asset.
Pamela
Darondeau
Expert – Alternative.s
Eager to support the obvious link between diet and health, Pamela is a Food Science Engineer & Dietitian a Food Industry & Nutrition expert.

After 15 years + business experience in marketing and product development of food recipes for retail (Carrefour & Picard), agrofood industry (Heinz & WeightWatchers) and catering (Café Bonjour), Pamela has become a healthcare professional. As a dietitian, she helps her patients transform their diet to become a healthy and durable asset.
Jorg
Hinderer
Expert- Ingredient.s
Jorg has more than 20 years of international experience in flavours & fragrances, food ingredients and the FMCG industry.

In his former position as VP Strategic Development & Integration at Firmenich he successfully realized several acquisitions and post-merger integration projects. Jorg has held various leadership roles in corporate finance and as Regional CFO and business partner for finance and performance management, at Firmenich and before at Procter & Gamble.
Jorg
Hinderer
Expert- Ingredient.s
Jorg has more than 20 years of international experience in flavours & fragrances, food ingredients and the FMCG industry.

In his former position as VP Strategic Development & Integration at Firmenich he successfully realized several acquisitions and post-merger integration projects. Jorg has held various leadership roles in corporate finance and as Regional CFO and business partner for finance and performance management, at Firmenich and before at Procter & Gamble.

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Let's reinvent the food ecosystem together.

There is no greater mission than improving life itself.
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    I. WHO IS THE DATA CONTROLLER?
    Sparkfood, S.A., hereinafter referred to as “Sparkfood”, an incorporated and operating company under the Laws of Portugal, with registered office at Lugar do Espido, Via Norte, 4470-150 – Maia, registered at the Porto Commercial Registry Office, under the number 516 540 408, is responsible for the processing of your personal data.

    If Sparkfood assumes joint responsibility for any processing of your personal data with other entities, you shall be duly informed.

    II. WHAT PERSONAL DATA DO WE PROCESS, FOR HOW LONG AND FOR WHAT PURPOSES?
    We will only process your personal data when it’s indispensable to ensure the normal functioning of this website, ensuring that you take advantage of all its features, as well as the provision of our services, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Law No. 58/2019 of 8 August 2009, Law No. 58/2019, of August 8, 2019 (law that ensures the execution of the GDPR), Directive 2002/58/EC, of July 12, 2002 (directive concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector), Law No. 41/2004, of August 18 (law that transposes said Directive 2002/58/EC into national law), and with the other applicable legislation on privacy and protection of personal data.

    Your personal data will be eliminated or anonymized when the purposes that legitimated their treatment cease, without prejudice to situations in which the law, or preponderant reason, legitimizes or imposes its conservation for longer periods of time.

    Next, we shall provide you with all the information about the processing of your personal data carried out by us on this website, namely, its purposes, legal grounds, categories of personal data involved, and retention periods. We will also provide you with information regarding your rights in relation to the protection of personal data as well as regarding the technical and organizational measures we take to ensure your privacy.

     

    1. CONTACT FORMS

    In the strict legitimate interest of Sparkfood in ensuring a proper management and timely response to your messages, we will process some of your personal data – name, e-mail and (eventually) company name – for a period of three (3) years, after which we will delete your personal information.

     

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    III.  TO WHOM MAY WE TRANSMIT YOUR PERSONAL DATA?

    Your personal data may be transmitted to partner companies (Processors) whose participation is essential to ensure the regular upkeep of this website, ensuring that you take advantage all its features.

    When these companies process your personal data on our behalf, we ensure the same level of security and privacy in their processing.

    Sparkfood may be required to disclose your personal information to the Competent Authorities as required by law and/or court order.

    IV. WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION AND HOW CAN YOU EXERCISE THEM?
    As a data subject, you can, at any moment, withdraw your consent, or exercise your other data protection rights – right of access, right to rectification, right to erasure, right to restrict processing, right to data portability, and the right to object – upon request to the following email address: protecaodedados@sonae.pt

    We will carry out a careful analysis of your requests, assessing their legitimacy and relevance, committing ourselves to respond within the legal deadline.

    It is important that you use the email address provided above, and not another means of contact (e.g. social networks, DPO’s email, etc.), for the purposes of exercising your rights regarding the protection of personal data, since this is the only way we can ensure the centralization of subject requests, the security in their treatment, and the regular verification of your identity and an adequate and timely response.

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    We will carefully analyze your requests, evaluating their legitimacy and pertinence, committing ourselves to respond within the legal timeframe for this purpose.

    If you believe that we have not respected your rights, you may file a complaint with the National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD): Address:  Av. D. Carlos I, 134 – 1.º, 1200-651 – Lisbon | Telephone: +351 213 928 400 | Fax: +351 213 976 832 | E-mail: geral@cnpd.pt

    V. HOW DO WE PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA?
    We apply appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data in accordance with best practices in the market.

    Administrative, technical and physical measures, technological controls and procedures are in place to prevent your personal data from improper or unauthorized use, access, disclosure or destruction.

    Among others, we highlight some of the measures applied:

    • Storing and transferring your personal data in a secure manner;
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    • Permanent monitoring of the information systems, with the objective of preventing, detecting and preventing the misuse of your personal data;
    • Redundancy of equipment for storage, processing and communication of your personal data, to avoid loss of availability;
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    This Privacy Notice may be revised at any time, and you will always be guaranteed updated information on this page.