They live happily in London, as a couple, even as a family, in a field of activity that they have chosen and in which they flourish together: Olivier Calpas, originally from Saint-Louis de Marie-Galante, and his wife Vanessa from Martinique made the bet to emigrate together. A choice that they do not regret, even if they miss the family and the sun of the archipelago. They tell us, together, about their life in England.
In London, the capital of the United Kingdom, Morden, a small neighborhood in the Merton district, is home to a West Indian couple: Olivier and Vanessa Calpas, from Guadeloupe and Martinique respectively, have chosen to make their lives in this city of a thousand faces. It is a hub in various fields, such as arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, research and development, tourism, transportation …the list is long; hence its attractiveness.
It was a family project that brought the two Guadeloupeans there. Olivier and Vanessa wanted renewal, both professionally and geographically. Their bet was successful, since their careers have evolved since their move to London.
Olivier, a mathematical provisions analyst, then a corporate retirement savings consultant in Paris, first embarked on data analysis in England.
Then, another change occurred, after a hard blow in the middle of the Covid crisis: He went from employee to independent entrepreneur.
I found myself laid off and, faced with this ordeal, I made the choice to take charge of myself, to do something, and not to let myself be defeated. I took this opportunity to reorient myself professionally. I did an in-depth skills assessment. It revealed to me what I was made for : I am better supporting people.
Olivier Calpas, co-founder of JVC Consulting
The training organization and consultancy firm for salaried and self-employed workers “JVC Consulting” was founded in September 2020… with Vanessa.
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©Guadeloupe La 1ère
The couple made a place for themselves in this world without too much difficulty. Both were made for this!
First of all, it’s a life mission, because we don’t accompany like that, by chance. We really need, as Olivier explained in the opening remarks, to have a form of altruism, also to have this desire to share. It's something that Olivier and I share ; Olivier has always had this desire to be able to help others. Here in England, it's a bit simple for us, because it's a niche market (…). We can easily provide services.
Vanessa Joly-Calpas, co-founder of JVC Consulting
Olivier and Vanessa are riding the interest, shown by the English, in French specificities, such as legislation. They provide tailor-made training.
Not to spoil anything, after work, London has a lot to offer, from the point of view of the two young French people: foxes, they mention with humor and, in general, “life itself” and the people. The islanders of Guadeloupe find themselves in the London mentality.
It's this proximity, the insular side, this differentiation which does not exist in the eyes of the English, in fact, between a Black and a White, from a work point of view. It's a question of skills.
Olivier and Vanessa Calpas, co-founders of JVC Consulting
They therefore consider that getting into London, professionally, is much easier for a black person than in France: “there is no photo“, attests Vanessa.
On the other hand, Olivier misses Saint-Louis de Marie-Galante a lot, especially the sun, the beach, the sand and the family. While waiting to come and recharge their batteries and be pampered on the Grande Galette, the couple are spending happy days, as parents of a little girl, Anoa-Canelle, and owners of three cats: Patapouf, Patafouin and Cosmo! The latter is the master of the home!
The little family is benefactor towards the foxes, symbols according to them of adaptability, cunning, emotional intelligence… hence the fact that the logo of “JVC Consulting” represents a fox.
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©Family Archives
GOOD TO KNOW/
“From here and elsewhere” is a section that Guadeloupe La 1era dedicated to Guadeloupeans who live far from the archipelago. Every Wednesday, in the television news “1:00 p.m. in Guadeloupe“, Eddy Golbakan connects with one of them; the opportunity to tell us what he (she) experiences abroad.
Moreover, if you know expatriate Guadeloupeans, like Olivier and Vanessa, whatever their fields of activity, and you wish to highlight them, you can contact us by email, at the following address: 13henguadeloupe@francetv .fr
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