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French rainmaker Maris breaks up with boutique partner Messier

September 04, 2020 at 06:38 pm EDT

Star banker Erik Maris is in the process of leaving investment banking boutique Messier Maris & Associés after a power struggle with partner Jean-Marie Messier, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The 56-year Frenchman has decided to quit the firm which he co-founded in 2010 with Messier, a former chairman and CEO of Vivendi, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the matter is confidential.

Maris did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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

Maris has yet to hand in his resignation to Mediobanca and formalise his decision, they said.

Mediobanca declined to comment.

The sources said Maris intends to move on after disagreements with Messier over strategy and management, as he no longer sees a future for himself at the firm.

The pair built Messier Maris & Associés into France's most successful M&A boutique, advising on more than 200 transactions including Veolia's recent takeover bid for French utility Suez.

A former Lazard banker, Maris is a popular rainmaker in France where he recently represented carmaker Peugeot on its merger with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

He started his career at Morgan Stanley and spent almost two decades at Lazard where he rose to become co-head of the bank's French franchise.

By Pamela Barbaglia

Stocks mentioned in the article

Add to a list Add to a list 0 selected To use this feature you must be a member Log in Sign up	Price	Change	5d. change	Capi.
PEUGEOT SA	21.85 EUR	-4.21%	-1.09%	99.89B
VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT	28.27 EUR	+1.18%	-0.60%	21.26B
VIVENDI SE	9.84 EUR	+0.76%	-1.52%	10.65B
MORGAN STANLEY	90.62 USD	+0.60%	-1.71%	147B
MEDIOBANCA S.P.A.	13.56 EUR	+0.86%	-0.04%	11.89B
SUEZ	19.83 EUR	-0.25%	-0.05%	14.37B
FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES N.V.	13.39 EUR	+0.93%	-6.88%	23.91B

Jean-Marie Messier

Jean-Marie Raymond Pierre Messier is the founder of Cegetel SA (1997), OneRagtime SAS (2017), and Messier Maris & Associés SCA (2010).
He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Messier Partners LLC (since 2003), Chairman of Hougou Finance SA, Director of Shango NV, Director of Hougou Développement SA, Director of Kotys SA, and Director of Messier Maris & Associes Ltd.
He previously held positions as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Eau - Compagnie Générale des Eaux SCA, Independent Non-Executive Director of Dalenys SA, Independent Director of Cellectis SA, Director of Pharnext SA, Director of Rentabiliweb Europe SAS, and Managing Partner of Lazard Frères et Co. He was also the President of Vivendi Universal SA from 1994 to 2002.
Mr. Messier received his undergraduate degree from Ecole Polytechnique and Ecole Nationale d'Administration.

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Linked companies
Messier Partners LLC	Chief Executive Officer
Messier Maris & Associés SCA Messier Maris & Associés SCA Investment ManagersFinance Messier Maris & Associés SCA provides financial consulting and investment advisory services. The company was founded by Jean-Marie Messier and Erik Maris in 2010 and is headquartered in Paris, France.	Founder