As we wrap up our International Women’s Day 2026 series, we’re delighted to shine a light on another exceptional woman within Wells & Co. Today, we are sharing the profile of Alexandra Couppey. Alex is the General Manager of the Jolly Sailor in La Rochelle, France.
Joining Wells & Co. and making an immediate impact
Alex joined Wells & Co. in May 2024 and quickly made a name for herself through her strong leadership and results-driven approach. Initially appointed Manager of The Elephant & Castle, she built a high-performing team and delivered impressive outcomes. Her success led to a new challenge earlier this year: making the move and taking the helm at The Jolly Sailor.
In her current role, she leads a team of around twelve people, focusing on sales growth, improved profitability, operational excellence and consistent service standards. Her management style blends structure, clarity and high expectations. Always driven by the ambition to help her team perform at their best.
Thriving in an entrepreneurial environment
What Alex enjoys most about working at Wells & Co. is the entrepreneurial culture that encourages autonomy and real ownership. She values the trust placed in her to make meaningful decisions and the opportunity to directly shape the success of her site.
“I enjoy being able to build, develop and motivate my team while driving tangible business results,” she says. A balance of people focus and performance mindset that underpins her approach to management.
A career rooted in hospitality excellence
Hospitality isn’t just Alex’s profession, it’s been a constant through her life. Growing up in a family of retailers, she began working in her father’s establishment at the age of 14 during school holidays. She continued to work in the industry throughout her studies in psychology and languages, eventually building a diverse and international career.
Her path has taken her through bar and pub management roles, two formative years working in Ireland, and senior leadership positions as Restaurant Director and later Boutique Hotel Director. This broad experience set the stage for her success at Wells & Co., where she continues to apply her deep knowledge of hospitality and her passion for operational excellence.
A commitment to continuous development
Since joining the business, Alex has continued to strengthen her operational and financial skill set, with a particular focus on performance analysis and profitability. This development has equipped her with the tools to approach her newest site with a strategic, growth-focused mindset.
Her dedication to learning and improvement mirrors her leadership approach: structured, intentional and always looking forward.
Ambition for the future
Alex’s long-term career goals centre on expanding her scope and influence across multiple sites within Wells & Co. She envisions moving into a role where she can support other managers, share best practice and help drive performance across the French estate. A natural progression for someone with her depth of experience and commitment to excellence.
What Give to Gain means to Alex
Reflecting on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, Alex describes it as a philosophy rooted in investment. In people, knowledge and passion.
“To me, ‘Give to Gain’ means that growth comes from what we invest in others,” she explains. “When we empower people and give them the tools to succeed, performance follows naturally.”
As a female leader in hospitality, she believes in leading with both strength and empathy. True leadership, she says, isn’t about authority, it’s about influence, consistency and example.
“By giving confidence, opportunity and support to the people around us, especially other women in the industry, we help create a more balanced and ambitious future for hospitality.”
