Heir to French billions is key backer of wine firm 31Dover

BERTRAND Perrodo, a member of one of France’s wealthiest families and an heir to a multi-billion pound oil industry fortune, has emerged as a key investor in up-andcoming UK wine delivery firm 31Dover.com.

Perrodo, the son of billionaire Carrie Perrodo, owns about a quarter of 31Dover, according to the latest Companies House filings.

The London-based firm was launched in 2013 by entrepreneurs David Elghanayan and Roger and Jimmy Metta, who have long been leading wine and spirits suppliers to restaurants and hotels.

Named after its first address in Mayfair, 31Dover is expected to generate sales of £15 million this year and is also thought to be close to announcing James Bagley, a former Majestic Wine executive, as it new chief executive.

31Dover is valued at about £35 million, but the wine business investment is small change to the Perrodo family, which is worth an estimated £7 billion. Their Perenco oil company is based in London and Paris and run by Bertrand’s older brother, François. It has oil interests around the globe. In 2012, Perenco bought £315 million of North Sea assets from BP.