21 Centrale Partners Staffs Up

Jacques Rossignol and Xavier Payet have joined French buyout firm 21 Centrale Partners as a partner and investment manager, respectively. Rossignol previously was with Finama Private Equity/Acto capital, while Payet worked in the French Treasury Department, as a manager of state holdings in energy companies.

PRESS RELEASE

21 Centrale Partners announces today the coming of a new partner and a new investment manager as well as the nomination of an investment manager in its French team.

Jacques Rossignol, 37, has recently been appointed as a new partner, and further strengthens the investment team. Before joining 21 Centrale Partners, Jacques worked for Finama Private Equity/Acto capital where he earned a 5 year experience in the Private Equity field. Prior to that, he worked for more than 7 years in Mergers and Acquisitions, at BNP Paribas and Goldman Sachs, both in France and in the UK. Jacques is a graduate from Ecole Polytechnique and holds an MBA from the prestigious Harvard Business School.

Xavier Payet, 30, joins 21 Centrale Partners from the French treasury department, where he was a manager of the State’s holdings in energy companies. Prior to that, he worked for Bain&Co, as an advisor to Private Equity Funds. Xavier graduated from Ecole Normale Supérieure and from Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées and holds an MBA from the ENPC School of Management.

Vincent Menudier, 31, has been appointed Investment Manager. He joined 21 Centrale Partners in 2004 as an Associate and has worked on a number of transactions including SRI, Palmers-Lejaby and Club Med Gym. Previously, he worked at the French Venture Capital Association and as an Auditor at Fidus. Vincent has a Master’s degree in Audit and Financial Controlling from INSEEC and holds a Master’s degree in Economics as well as a degree in Physical sciences.

“We place considerable focus on building the strength of our specialists to support our existing and future investments and are delighted to welcome two outstanding new members aboard our company. The announcement today furthers our strategy of growth, strengthening our French team to 13 talented investment professionals” said Gérard Pluvinet, Founding Managing Partner.

About 21 Centrale Partners

21 Centrale Partners is a private equity firm specialised in growth LBOs, which invests primarily in International mid-market companies based in France. 21 Centrale Partners, part of the 21 Group led by Alessandro Benetton and Gérard Pluvinet, which manages above Euro 1 billion of assets, has just launched its 4th Private Equity Fund. For additional information: www.21centralepartners.com