Natureo Finance's team

Natureo Finance’s team boasts tremendous expertise in industry and finance (financial analysis, credit analysis and corporate finance).

This experience combined with a genuine team spirit allows Natureo Finance to respond efficiently to a broad range of client requests.

Team
Philippe Schmitt, Managing Partner

Philippe brings over 24 years of experience in technology as well as alternative energy thanks to his combined expertise in the industry (10 years) and finance (14 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), set-up of joint ventures (Hungary, Poland) as well as commercial partnerships (South East Asia); in charge of the Access Network business. During these years, Philippe participated in various standardization workshops and attended many conferences throughout the world.

Philippe holds an engineering degree in Telecoms (French Telecom School) & Microelectronics (Grenoble University), a Masters in Physics (Aix-Marseille University) and 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).
Eric Missonnier-Rohart, Director

Eric brings over more than 10 years of experience across technological sectors in investment banking.

With an engineering background, Eric started his career at Bank of America Securities (formerly Montgomery Securities) in the Corporate & Investment Banking Technology Group. First based in London, then in San Francisco (3 years), Eric was heavily involved in private placements, IPOs and M&A transactions. During these years, he also specialized in the nanotechnology field identifying investment opportunities in this area (impact of nanotech on the electronic, energy, material, and medical devices sectors, molecular electronics). Back to Europe, Eric worked as a consultant for a mobile content company (Freever), advising them on their strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Then, he joined Bryan, Garnier & Co as a Senior Associate in the Hardware/Semiconductor Group before joining Landsbanki Kepler’s Corporate Finance Department in 2006. He was then particularly involved in expanding the renewable energy franchise. Eric joined Natureo Finance at its creation.

Eric graduated from Ecole Centrale d’Electronique in Paris with a BS in Computer Sciences and Electronics, and from ESCP-EAP with a Master’s in European Business in Finance and Management.
Sébastien Rondel, Partner

Sébastien brings over 15 years experience in the power and energy industry, both investing and advising with financial institutions and with American power business developers. In total, Sébastien played a critical part in more than 20 transactions representing c. € 4 billion of equity investment including Loy Yang A, Paiton Energy, Contact Energy, CBK hydro pumped storage, Shajiao C, Huafeng, Malampaya, Yulchon, Kieco, SK Enron, Suez Korea, Samsung-Total cogeneration, Oseong CCGT, Milinet Solar...

Before Joining Natureo Finance in October 2009, Sébastien was a transactional Director with Macquarie in Seoul (2004-2008) where he largely contributed to establishing Macquarie as an important utility player in the Asian region. Previously he was based in Hong Kong with ING Barings (2000-2004) involved in several high profile power transactions in Asia. Prior to that Sébastien learned about the basis of the power development business with the finance team of Edison Mission Energy (1997-2000) covering the Asian / Pacific region. Sébastien started his career as a project finance banker with BNP Paribas in Sydney (1996-1997) where he notably structured the debt financing for the largest acquisition of the Victorian power industry privatization.

Sébastien holds an engineering degree from the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.
Olivier Vallée CFA, Partner

Olivier joined Natureo Finance in January 2010 to initiate the Research activity. Since 1996 Olivier Vallée has developed an extensive experience in the finance industry through positions in investment banking and asset management in France, Italy and the U.K. He has specialized in technology, alternative and renewable energies and environmental technologies, starting at Hambrecht & Quist (now J.P. Morgan) in 1998 and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey in 2002. He served as Investment Advisor to Park Place’s technology hedge fund and Head of Research for Dynamic Decisions, a quant hedge fund. Prior to Hambrecht & Quist, he worked with the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, the European Community, and the Western Behavioral Sciences Institute. Raised in Silicon Valley, California, Olivier is fluent in French and English and holds a degree in Physics from the University of California, San Diego and an MBA from Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (2000).

Advisors
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:
Jean-Marie Descarpentries is an Alumni of “Ecole Polytechnique”. Jean-Marie Descarpentries is also “Officier de Cavalerie Parachutiste”, “Officier de l'Ordre National du Mérite" and "Officier de la Légion d'Honneur”.
Eric de Seynes, Senior Advisor
Lionel Montocchio, Senior Advisor

Lionel brings us an extensive experience in both industry and financing.

Lionel has led several asset backed transactions in France which became references in the sector (refinancing of the Credit Lyonnais defeasance - € 13 billions in 1996, conception and management of the first structured finance for a vehicle fleet in France (France Telecom in 1998), following and structuring of the birth of the first Private to Public Partnerships in France from 2004 to 2008, key role in the French motorways privatisations as financial and strategic advisor of the Eiffage – Macquarie consortium.

Lionel is also President of the Clavis structure which is currently the financial advisor of two consortiums in two French government public concession/PPP tenders (Mayotte airport with the Nice Airport Consortium and Eco-tax with the Bill00 consortium).

Lionel has a good understanding of public strategic issues and was, for example, head of the Airbus Office for the French Government between 1988 and 1991 (launching of the A330/340 programs).

Lionel is an Alumni of Ecole Polytechnique (76), Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile, and holds the CPA, Executive MBA (Groupe HEC).
Alexandre Almajeanu, Senior Advisor

Alexandre brings us his entrepreneurial and business development experiences in various countries.

Alexandre co-funded Performa Conseils before founding Voyagermoinscher in 2000, company sold to PriceMinister in 2007.

Since Alexandre has been investing into various businesses across Europe as well as China. Alexandre is also a professor at the “Institut de Sciences Politiques” in Paris and run several foundations.