As part of BlackFin’s rapid expansion as a leading pan-European private equity platform focusing on financial services, Sabine Mathis, Daniel Cohen-Sabban and Damien Lestang are promoted to equity partners of the firm. Alongside BlackFin’s four founding partners they will spearhead BlackFin’s investment activities across Europe.
Sabine, aged 40, joined BlackFin in 2011 as CFO. She has since played a key role in the success of the funds through her transversal and operational role within BlackFin.
Prior to joining BlackFin, Sabine spent 3 years at Natixis Private Equity International as CFO and 6 years at Ernst & Young / Arthur Andersen. Sabine graduated from HEC business school.
Daniel, aged 35, joined BlackFin in 2011. Over the last 8 years, Daniel has been responsible for sourcing and executing numerous successful transactions, including investments in NeoXam, New Access, Santiane and Nortia.
Prior to joining BlackFin, Daniel spent 4 years at Gilde Buy Out Partners, a leading mid-market private equity house in the Benelux and DACH regions, and prior to that 2 years at Natixis Private Equity. Daniel graduated from ESSEC business school.
Damien, aged 41, joined BlackFin in 2016. Damien is responsible for several landmark investments such as Primonial, FundRock and CED.
Prior to joining BlackFin, Damien spent 11 years at Advent International, one of the largest global Private Equity platform, where he was Director and has participated to many mid- to large-cap transactions in France and in Europe, including Oberthur Technologies, a world leader in smart card manufacturing and mobile payment solutions. Prior to that Damien was at BNP Paribas’ Leverage Finance team in Germany and at Idinvest Partners, a generalist venture capital firm. Damien graduated from HEC business school.
Laurent Bouyoux, Founding Partner and Chairman of BlackFin: “Sabine, Daniel and Damien have made an outstanding contribution to our firm as we have grown into the leading private equity platform focusing on financial services in Europe. Their sourcing skills and investment acumen have contributed to BlackFin accessing unique, often off-market, primary buyout transactions and delivering superior returns. We are delighted to grow our team of partners as BlackFin has ambitious plans for the years ahead.”