Messy & Messier

8 Sep 2020 By Christopher Thompson

Dealmaker Erik Maris may leave the advisory firm he founded amid a rift with partner Jean-Marie Messier. It’s a blow to the $8 bln Italian bank which acquired Messier Maris last year. Buying boutiques is always risky. Fierce French rivalry may worsen CEO Alberto Nagel’s pain.

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Advisor Erik Maris is leaving Paris-based investment banking boutique Messier Maris & Associés after a power struggle with partner Jean-Marie Messier, according to a Reuters report on Sept. 4 citing two sources with knowledge of the matter.

The 56-year-old Frenchman decided to quit the firm which he co-founded in 2010 with Messier, a former chairman and chief executive of Vivendi, the sources said.

The pair built Messier Maris & Associés into France's most successful mergers and acquisitions boutique, advising on more than 200 transactions including Veolia's recent takeover bid for French utility Suez and representing carmaker Peugeot on its merger with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Maris’ departure comes after Italian bank Mediobanca bought a 66% stake in Messier Maris & Associés in 2019 to boost its presence overseas. Mediobanca declined to comment.

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The 56-year-old Frenchman decided to quit the firm which he co-founded in 2010 with Messier, a former chairman and chief executive of Vivendi, the sources said.

Maris’ departure comes after Italian bank Mediobanca bought a 66% stake in Messier Maris & Associés in 2019 to boost its presence overseas. Mediobanca declined to comment.

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