Michael Azencot

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Michael Azencot

I joined David at 2005, two years after he founded Cambon. Back then, we were trying to figure out how to get gray hair like other investment bank partners! The industry had a rather stuffy image of people of a certain age who would meet discreetly to negotiate transactions in a quiet setting. Things have changed a bit since, and we no doubt have played a role in this.

It was in one of BPI’s venture capital funds that I discovered the world of M&A deals. Immediately attracted to the IT sector, I got a job with Devoteam in 2001, where I was responsible for external growth in Europe, before moving to Dassault Systèmes in 2004 where I was in charge of international M&A. It was at the opposite end of the negotiating table that I first met David, which is probably the best way to get to know someone! He had just launched Cambon. Since I was convinced in the potential of his idea of creating an specialized M&A advisory firm, I soon joined him.

The move from sales to advisory work was very stimulating for me. I immediately found originating deals, developing networks of potential buyers and investors, and putting deals together in close collaboration with clients to be fascinating. A good investment banker must have good intuition. In addition to having the necessary technical expertise, he or she must be able to forget about excel spreadsheets for a while and get out and make deals. To do this, investment bankers must know their sectors inside and out and have excellent people skills. Some would say it’s a matter of gut instinct!

2016 marks a new phase in the development of Financière Cambon, with a new name (Cambon Partners) and since then the achievement of many milestones : over 40 employees, over 40 deals a year, opening of our Beijing office and more than 300 deals completed. And yet our fundamental qualities are the same. We still have the same vision, passion and unique work environment. We have built up our team gradually over the years, adding people we have had an opportunity to work with, rather than through a conventional recruitment program. Everyone has contributed to and strengthened Cambon’s DNA.