- De Montgolfier joins from European investment firm Gimv where he led French operations
- Brings over 30 years’ experience as private equity investment professional to CEO role
Invest Europe has appointed Eric de Montgolfier as new CEO to lead the world’s largest association of private capital providers and investors.
De Montgolfier will take the helm at Invest Europe, the association representing Europe’s private equity, venture capital, infrastructure sectors, as well as their investors by the end of December. A highly-experienced private equity professional, de Montgolfier joins from Brussels-listed investment manager Gimv, where he was Partner and Head of Gimv France, responsible for overseeing investment and group strategy in the market.
“It is a great honour to be joining Invest Europe as CEO,” de Montgolfier said. “I have enormous respect for the work of the association and its team in Brussels. I look forward to bringing the experience I have gained in over 30 years at private equity firms in Europe to help promote better understanding of the industry and build a better operating environment for our members.”
De Montgolfier succeeds Michael Collins who stepped down as CEO in August after six years with Invest Europe. He joins during an important period for the association as it steps up engagement with new and re-elected policymakers who will set the regulatory agenda for the European Union over the next five years. Invest Europe recently published its Manifesto for 2019-2024, outlining the industry’s key policy priorities for the new European Parliamentary term.
“I am delighted to welcome Eric as the next CEO of Invest Europe,” said Thierry Baudon, Invest Europe Chair. “He is an exceptionally experienced and talented private equity professional who understands the challenges and opportunities the private equity industry faces in Europe today. I look forward to working with Eric and the Invest Europe team to deliver more successes on behalf of all our members.”
Among Invest Europe’s achievements during the last European Parliament was the creation of the VentureEU fund of funds programme, which aims to raise €2.1 billion for investment in dynamic start-ups across the continent. The association also worked on the development of a new long-term equities category under Solvency II, which places a lower capital requirement on private equity and venture capital investments for insurers, and established Invest Week to promote the benefits of private equity and venture capital investment in Europe.
De Montgolfier joined Gimv, the Euronext-listed investment group, as head of its French office in 2015, becoming CEO of Gimv France the following year. During his tenure, he oversaw the repositioning and growth of the mid-market specialist’s operations in France. The move increased the firm’s visibility and deal flow, and resulted in €270 million invested across ten transactions.
Prior to joining Gimv, de Montgolfier spent 11 years as co-founding Managing Partner and COO at Edmond de Rothschild Capital Partners, building a respected name in the French lower mid-market. Before that, he rose through the ranks at French firm Astorg, becoming a founding partner in 1998 when the firm spun off from Suez Group.
De Montgolfier holds a Masters in Management from ESCP Europe (Paris). He has been a Mid-Market Platform Council member of Invest Europe.
