Bruno Deschamps promoted to Managing Partner, Group Markets
3i, an international leader in private equity, today announces the promotion of Bruno Deschamps to its Management Committee as Managing Partner, Group Markets, with specific responsibility for 3i’s Continental European business network, with effect from 1 October 2008.
In his new role, Bruno will have responsibility for 3i''s geographic network across Continental Europe and certain 3i Group functions including Business Leaders Network and Marketing. Bruno will retain his position as Group Partner, Managing Partner, France, and he will continue to divide his time between London and Paris.
The role of Managing Partner, Group Markets, is a newly created position to reflect 3i’s commitment to its geographies and to complement the existing positions of Managing Partner North America (Bob Stefanowski) and Managing Partner Asia (Chris Rowlands).
Bruno joined 3i in July 2007 from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, where he had been a Partner since 2002, and most recently served as Chairman and CEO of Brake Bros. He has been involved in other private equity investments in Europe, including Rexel, VWR and Culligan. Bruno holds an MBA in marketing and finance from ISG Paris and is fluent in French, English, German, and Spanish. He is president of the French Foreign Trade advisors in the UK, a member of the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce and a Knight of the Legion d''Honneur France.
Notes to editors
Bruno Deschamps Biography
Prior to CD&R, Bruno led his family-owned specialty chemicals company S.A.I.M in France, before joining the Henkel Group, the German-based European leader of detergents and cosmetics and the worldwide leader in adhesives. He started his tenure at Henkel as the Head of the French adhesives business before becoming Group Vice President and Global head of Henkel industrial adhesives, based in Germany. He then became CEO of Henkel Ecolab, a 50/50 joint venture between Henkel and Ecolab, headquartered in Germany. Following this, Bruno joined Ecolab Inc. in Minneapolis, USA, as President and COO of the Fortune 500 company with revenues above $5bn. He merged the European joint venture with Ecolab, which then became the worldwide leader in sanitation products and services. In 2002, Bruno joined CD&R, based in NY and London, as Operating Partner. During his five years at the company, he was involved in a number of investments including VWR, Culligan, Rexel and Brake Bros, at which he held the positions of Chairman and CEO.
About 3i
3i is an international leader in private equity. We focus on Buyouts, Growth Capital, Infrastructure and Quoted Private Equity (“QPE”) and invest across Europe, North America and Asia. Our competitive advantage comes from our international network and the strength and breadth of our business relationships. These underpin the value that we deliver to our portfolio and to our shareholders.
About 3i France
3i France was established in 1984. The team focuses on growth capital investments and mid-market buyouts. Recent investments include Labco, Empruntis and Poliris, recent exits include Senoble, Defimode and Grand Frais.
For further information please contact:
Rachel Richards
email. rachel.richards@3i.com
tel. +44 207 975 3573