UAE: From being COO of a company to turning beekeeper, this expat now helps residents create their bee garden

UAE: From being COO of a company to turning beekeeper, this expat now helps residents create their bee garden

Olivier Cantagrel and his business partner Hussein produce and sell honey which is made via natural apiculture

Published: Thu 8 Dec 2022, 8:20 PM Last updated: Thu 8 Dec 2022, 8:33 PM

For 30 years, Olivier Cantagrel, founder of Oliver’s Bee Farm wore a suit to work. In the corporate world he held many positions including senior ones too such as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Today, he wears a different suit to work — a beekeeping suit. Olivier is now a beekeeper with a thriving dedicated business.

The change in his line of work happened due to his curiosity. “A few years ago, I moved to a new house and saw my neighbour wearing a beekeeping gear. I waved and he waved back,” he said.

Following this simple social exchange, Olivier and his neighbour Hussein started to talk about his passion for beekeeping. “I was curious to learn more about what he did, and he shared his knowledge about the particularities of beekeeping in the UAE and he invited me to help him.”

The rest is history. He and Hussein (his business partner), now produce and sell honey which is made via natural apiculture, which does not involve chemical treatment. “If you