Ian Bester joins Les Moulins de la Concorde as Operations Manager
When Ian Bester walks through the production floors of Les Moulins de la Concorde (LMLC), there is a sense of familiarity in his stride. This is not a new world for him. It is a place he has known for years, long before he officially joined the company as Operations Manager in November 2025.
Ian Bester first crossed paths with LMLC in 2018 while working for Bühler, in South Africa, where he was responsible for service operations on the island. Most of the mill’s equipment bore the Bühler signature, as did his daily interactions with the teams. “I know the facility, I know a lot of the people here,” he says. That continuity made the decision easier, but it was not the only reason.
Joining a company within the Eclosia Group carried a deeper meaning. “It’s actually a privilege for me to work for a place like Eclosia Group,” he explains. He speaks with conviction about food security and the responsibility that comes with producing flour, an everyday staple that quietly sustains the island.
His first weeks in the role broadened his perspective. Attending the Eclosia Next Convention and going through induction revealed the full reach of the Group. The discovery was striking. “You realise how essential the Group is and how directly it impacts people’s lives every day,” he says. His ambition is clear: to help bring LMLC to world-class standards, across operations, quality, and culture.
What excites him most is people. Ian Bester sees strong potential within the workforce and a chance to unlock it. “I want to share my knowledge, to teach, train, and assist,” he explains, drawing on decades spent in milling. Development, for him, is not a slogan. It is a duty.
His plans are practical and grounded. Improve consistency. Raise output. Reduce waste. Use energy more efficiently. Create an environment where pride and urgency coexist. “I want everyone to feel proud of what they do every day,” he says.
His leadership philosophy is simple and demanding. “Never to hurt, only to teach, develop, train and retain.” He believes that when people leave, knowledge walks out with them. Support matters. So does fairness.
Communication anchors everything. “Sharing knowledge and experiences is very important,” he insists, along with accepting criticism and staying firm when needed.
Outside work, time is scarce. For now, LMLC is his main focus. Golf will return later. So will quieter evenings with his wife, even if it means watching her favourite series.
After more than 20 years at Tiger Brands in South Africa, followed by seven years with Bühler, Ian Bester brings deep industry roots to Mauritius. What surprised him most was not the heat or humidity. It is the island’s respect for nature. A reminder, he says, to slow down, look around, and always leave a place better than you found it.