Natureo Finance’s team is supported by its Strategic Board to analyse the impact of key economical, regulatory, political and financial changes on industry and its players.

The Strategic Board meets regularly to contribute to the success of Natureo Finance’s client assignments. The board members can contribute directly to assignments, whether punctually or in a prolonged manner.

 

• André Merlin, Senior Advisor

  André Merlin started his career at “Direction des Etudes et Recherches d’Electricité de France” in 1968. He was in charge of the development of decision making tools for optimizing energy distribution operations and planning. He then occupied various key strategic positions within the organization including Head of “Automatisation des Réseaux au Service Transport”, Head of “Centre Régional du Transport et des Télécommunications de la Région Rhône-Alpes-Auvergne” and Head of Transportation Service. From 1992 onwards, he was deputy Director of R&D, then Director for Hydraulics and Traditional thermal production, Director for Energy and Telecoms Transport and Director of “Marché de la Grande Industrie”. Finally, from 1997 to 2000, he was “Directeur délégué à la Présidence et à la Direction Générale”.
  
  Since June 2001, André Merlin is President of ETSO (“European Transmission System Operator”), President of the European Energy and Transport Forum, consultative Committee at the European Commission, since October 2002, President of “Comité National Français du Conseil International des Grands Réseaux”, association gathering 8,000 members across more than 50 countries, and finally, President of Cigre (International Council on Large Electric Systems) one of the leading worldwide Organizations on Electric Power Systems, and also he is President of the Supervisory Board of “Ecole Supérieure d'Electricité”.
  
  André Merlin is an Alumni of “Ecole Polytechnique” and “Ecole Supérieure d'Electricité”. He also holds the “Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Légion d'Honneur, lauréat de la Médaille Blondel”, fellow of the Institute of Electric and Electronics Engineers (USA), docteur Honoris Causa of Bucharest University.

• Jean-Marie Descarpentries, Senior Advisor

  From 1982 to 1997, Jean-Marie Descarpentries turned around large industrial groups such as Bull (CEO, 1994-1997), Interbrew (Administrateur - Délégué, 1992-1993), Carnaud Metalbox (CEO, 1982-1991). In 1989, he was ranked as “one of the 25 most fascinating global manager” by the American Fortune magazine. He also served as CEO of Ingenico and President of Supervisory Board of Sidel and Gallay-Mauser. Finally, Jean-Marie also served as Director at AGF, SAP France, Ericsson France, Ericsson Belgique, Expand, Européenne d’ Extincteurs, Andersen France, Novalliance, Mory, Stockalliance.
  
  More recently, Jean-Marie occupied various leading positions including:

  • President of the Supervisory Board of Ginger,
  • President of FNEGE (“Fondation Nationale pour l'Enseignement de la Gestion des Entreprises”),
  • President of FONDACT (“Association pour la gestion participative”),
  • Independent Director or “Censeur” or Member of Strategic Committee of Ernst & Young France, Bolloré, Parsys, Viel, Financière Tradition (Switzerland), Assurances Saint-Honoré, Completel (Nederlands), Banque de Vizille, Cabasse , British Telecom Services (UK), Secor (France/Canada), …

   
  Jean-Marie Descarpentries is an Alumni of “Ecole Polytechnique”. Jean-Marie Descarpentries is also “Officier de Cavalerie Parachutiste”, and “Officier de l'Ordre National du Mérite et Officier de la Légion d'Honneur”.

• Eric de Seynes, Senior Advisor

  > Eric who is currently President of Groupe Option, a leader in advertising and seminar & event organization, built a strong experience in marketing & product development as he occupied operational functions in the automotive industry over the last 15 years, including amongst others: Sport-Action (President), Mobil Oil (in charge of marketing and development), Yamaha Sonauto (in charge of distribution), Yamaha Motor France (commercial and marketing Director). Eric has also been very much involved in sporting events, and consequently participated in many prestigious events such as the “Endurance Bol d’Argent”, “Le rallye Paris-Dakar”, “Le Mans Classic” amongst others.
  
  Graduated from ESLSCA Paris, and with a track record and experience in the marketing/product field as well as in distribution, Eric brings us the essential touch on product & industry evolution.
  
  Eric is also a Board Member of Hermes Sellier (since 1992), Les Producteurs (since 1999), Sunstseu (since 1999), Brame et Lorenceau (since 2004), and an advisory Board Member of Alcopa (since 2004). Eric is also a member of Hermes International Supervisory Board (since 2005) and a Board Member of Emile Hermes.

• Philippe Schmitt, Managing Partner  

  Philippe brings over 20 years of experience in technology as well as alternative energy thanks to his combined expertise in the industry (10 years) as well as in finance (12 years).
  
  Before founding Natureo Finance, Philippe was in charge of the Alternative Energy sector at Landsbanki Kepler where he contributed to the development of the corporate finance practices in Europe. Previously, Philippe developed the Renewable Energy franchise at Bryan,Garnier & Co. Prior to that, he headed the BNP Paribas’ Technology & Industrials equity research team (London, 2001-2004), and was also in charge of the Lehman Brothers’ European Telecoms Equipment team, equity research (London, 1999-2001). He started his financial career at Abn Amro France in 1996. From 1986 to 1996, Philippe occupied a number of operational positions at Groupe Sagem: R&D, in charge of the collaboration with the UK telecoms group STC Plc (based in London, 1989-1991); responsible for the development of joint ventures (Eastern Europe) as well as commercial partnerships (South East Asia); in charge of expanding the Access Network business. During these years, Philippe participated in various standardization workshops and attended many conferences throughout the world.
  
  Philippe holds an engineering degrees in Telecoms (French Telecom School) & Microelectronics (Grenoble University), and a Masters in Physics (Aix- Marseille University). He also holds a full time MBA from Cranfield School of Management in the UK.

• Christophe Rouvière, Managing Partner  

  Over the last 13 years, Christophe developed a sound expertise in technological sectors via his various experiences, first as an analyst (credit and equity research), then as an entrepreneur at the head of his own advisory boutique.
  
  Before founding Natureo Finance, Christophe spent 5 years at the world leader insurance company, Euler Hermès (risk analyst), followed by 4 year experience as sell side analyst at BNP Paribas and Société Générale Group, where he covered technology stocks. He then set up his own advisory boutique, namely “Finance et Stratégie”. He then worked for small medium size companies, both listed or private, in the context of fund raising, M&A, upfront advisory. He also advised CEOs of large corporations.
  
  Christophe holds a degree from "l’Institut Supérieur du Commerce et du Centre de Formation des Analystes Financiers". He is also a Board Member of the "Société Française des Analystes Financiers" and President of Club Horizons, think tank gathering young high flyers and executives from both public and private sectors. Christophe has also co-founded "l’Observatoire de l’Immatériel" and "100000 entrepreneurs".

• Bernard Champanhet, Partner  

  Before setting up his own advisory boutique focused on renewable energy in 2003, Bernard spent 27 years in the energy industry at various operational levels, including 15 years in energy services and waste treatment sectors. From 2001 to 2003, Bernard served as General Manager of wind farm developer EnXco (EDF-EN). Prior to that, from 2000 to 2001, he was Development Manager & CEO of the Canadian subsidiary of the wind turbine maker Vergnet SA. Previously, Bernard worked at VEOLIA-Environment Group (ONYX & Esys-Montenay) from 1993 to 2000, where he was in charged of various projects, including waste sorting, incineration and biogas. He also worked for Elf-Aquitaine (geothermal heating), Groupe Bresson and Segece-Paribas.
  
  Bernard created his own advisory company ABLY-France in June 2003. He then advised small and large companies across the various segments of renewable energy (strategic advice, M&A). He also performed due diligence tasks for investors and utilities. During these years, he set up business relationships across Europe more specifically in France, Germany, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands. Bernard is also board member in a number of energy related companies and he has been selected as an expert for the European Commission (renewable energies programs) since 2006. Bernard joined Natureo Finance at inception.
  
  Bernard holds a bachelor degree in Economics (Grenoble University), a master degree in Politics (Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Paris), as well as a MBA (INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France).