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CAPALIS PARTNERS

Executive Advisory, Fractional & Interim Management
Frédéric Bern | fbern@capalis-partners.com | Paris & Europe | linkedin.com/in/fredericbern/

C-suite strategy and execution for start-ups, SMEs, mid-caps and group subsidiaries in B2B tech, software & services: transform, internationalise, make acquisitions succeed.

In 25 years, 15+ on executive committees, I have run P&Ls of over €50M, led sales organisations of over €180M, lived in 6 countries to build business there, and led acquisitions from origination to integration. I work as an executive advisor, interim manager or fractional executive.

Areas of Expertise

General Management & Transformation

  • Strategy: Redesign of the strategy, segments and business model, translated into KPIs and a mid-term roadmap.
  • Sales acceleration: Teams, channels (key accounts, indirect networks) and incentives realigned to revive order intake; shift to recurring revenue (SaaS / ARR) with the existing team.
  • Interim management & turnaround: Running a struggling subsidiary or business unit, or taking over from founders after an acquisition: new leadership team, revenue and cost levers.
  • +19%/yr revenue growth (€20M → €34M in 3 years) for a reorganised division of a listed group
  • +8 pts EBITDA, growth from 12% to 16%/yr for a PE-backed mid-cap subsidiary

International
Development

  • Market selection: Decision grid by country (appeal, competition, localisation effort, entry mode): where to go, how, where not to go.
  • Go-to-market strategy: Country-by-country choice between subsidiary, direct sales, distributors, integrators and technology partners.
  • Roll-out: Recruiting, managing and, if needed, replacing distributors; setting up a subsidiary and local team, backed by central support.
  • 6 markets assessed for a tech mid-cap: 2 launched (direct and indirect), 4 ruled out
  • €10M → €18M in exports over 4 years for a €55M subsidiary in a saturated domestic market

Mergers, Acquisitions & Integration

  • Origination & build-up: Investment thesis, target mapping, direct approach to owners and negotiation through to LOI.
  • Strategic & commercial due diligence: Buy-side reviews: business robustness, barriers to entry, quality of revenue, quantified synergies.
  • Post-merger integration: 100-day plan, teams brought together in mixed groups, retention of key leaders, cross-selling: from announced synergies to realised sales.
  • €31M ARR negotiated with 5 build-up targets for a PE-backed mid-cap, 2 LOIs signed
  • €7M in revenue synergies (~5% of revenue) after the merger of two listed groups

Why Capalis Partners?

Strategist and operator

The perspective of an executive committee member, with hands-on execution.

Results-driven

Used to the standards of Private Equity funds and listed companies: EBITDA, growth and synergies measured and delivered.

Background

ESSEC & Grenoble INP, trilingual (French, English, German), 25 years' experience in 6 countries (Europe, Asia).

Flexible Engagement Models

Advisory & rapid audit

Targeted deliverables: 360° diagnostic in 5 to 10 days, strategic action plan, due diligence reviews or export expansion scoping over 3 months.

Fractional

1 to 3 days / week: A delegated international or M&A director within your executive committee, without the fixed cost of a permanent hire.

Interim management

Full time / 3 to 18 months: Interim CEO, turnaround, post-merger integration.