Eric Pinot, Partner Visconti Partners, today welcomes Paul Bougnoux, CEO and co-founder of Largilière Finance, an independent investment bank specializing in small and mid-cap transactions.

After training as an auditor, Paul took over and returned a family business for a few years. Finally, twenty years ago, he created Largilière Finance, which supports numerous entrepreneurs in sale or acquisition transactions.

Who is Paul Bougnoux?

Paul is a hard worker like many of his clients, CEOs and entrepreneurs. In his opinion, involvement in work is a key element in a company's desire to develop. Another characteristic of Paul is that he loves social ties. This goes hand in hand with its activity since it is important to support a client, a family, a CEO. The search for excellence is also essential for Paul, regardless of the profession, product or sector in which one operates, it must be done with passion, dedication and involvement.

But why investment banking?

Paul asked himself what he wanted to do with his life. Thinking about it, he realized that he wanted to support CEOs and offer them a 360 vision alongside notaries, accountants, lawyers... And above all to help them have a long-term vision on capital and on the work tool. To do this, he enjoyed being an investment banker a lot, even though he had no experience in other investment banks.

Why does Paul get up every day?

For the pleasure of supporting its customers. Often, Paul and his team see themselves as financial workers in a job where there is sometimes a lot of ego. They consider each operation to be a piece of silverware that must be done with great care. Paul likes to see the work platform, the involvement of his employees, he likes to see his teams and prepare transactions for customers with them.

What is Largilière? A collective? A family?

At Largilière, they are very attentive to the balance between personal and professional life. On the other hand, they spend a lot of time together, so it is very important that there is connection, trust and fun. Because it is a job in which there is a lot of pressure from customers as well as counterparties. It is therefore essential to evolve with confidence internally. No turnover among them, benevolence is preferred. It's a tough but fulfilling professional environment.

What is Paul's leadership style?

For Paul, you need to have clear ideas because the contexts in his sector are often complex. You need a compass, which means high standards of quality and excellence. This is essential to respect and optimize the operations of their customers because they are often the result of a lifetime. On the other hand, they have very demanding counterparts. Also, trust is essential, so Paul makes a point of dealing with issues of confidentiality and conflicts of interest early on. Her leadership values include excellence and collaboration. The latter means allowing teams under significant pressure to overcome moments of stress, and for that there is nothing better than mutual support and collaboration. Selling a business and welcoming an investment fund are long-term issues, so it is very important to establish a climate of trust.

Since the creation of Largilière twenty years ago, what has changed in Paul?

Largilière is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. They started with 20m2 of offices on Rue de Largilière and are now based on Avenue Montaigne with almost 500 m2. The size of the team has therefore changed but also the ability to carry out great operations. For Paul, what has changed is the fact of managing a team that allows him to confidently go on operations. Twenty years ago, he started in the business and lacked confidence in his teams and their ability to carry out operations. Today, trust and motivation are present and they have been strengthened thanks to the talents of the teams, in a context that has hardened.

What is Paul's biggest lesson as a CEO?

We don't give up. Life is full of obstacles that must be overcome. Life is a succession of good news and bad news, and you always have to start again. You must not give up and be very rigorous.

The coach's advice

- Building a strong team by helping them grow and trusting them over the long term

- Be both demanding and caring

- Work hard and never give up