- Argos Wityu member since 2023
- Speaks French, English, Spanish, Japanese (beginner)
- Master in Management HEC Paris
- Master of Research Ecole Polytechnique
- Argos Wityu member since 2023
- Speaks French, English, Spanish, Japanese (beginner)
- Management HEC Paris
- Master of Research Ecole Polytechnique
Can you introduce yourself in a few words? Your age, your family situation and the country you live in?
Achille
My name is Achille de Rauglaudre, I am 29 years old and I was married last year. At the risk of not sounding original, I was born and raised in Paris. I had the opportunity to live in New York and Tokyo, and I am now back in sunny Paris.
Tell us about your career and how you joined Argos?
Achille
I completed a dual academic background, graduating from HEC Paris (MSc in Management) and Ecole Polytechnique (Master of Research in Innovation Management). I started my career as a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company in Paris, where I was lucky (i) to work in a variety of sectors, and (ii) to conduct projects in Paris, London, Amsterdam and Tokyo. Over the 4 years I spent at McKinsey, I chose to progressively specialize in private equity to focus on investment and value-creation topics.
I also took the opportunity to do a 1-year secondment in a private equity portfolio company, as I wanted to gain operational experience in a PE-owned business. Little bonus on the side: the company I joined at that time was a professional football club, Toulouse FC, right after it was acquired by the US firm RedBird Capital Partners. The experience confirmed my intention to join a mid-cap PE firm with a highly hands-on approach, which led me to Argos a few months later.
Is this the path you thought you would take when you started your studies?
Achille
To be honest, not really. My journey had me gravitating around the world of private equity for several years, be it in corporate finance (transaction services, financial audit), strategy consulting (strategic buy-side / sell-side due diligence), or in a PE-owned portfolio company. It gave me time to thoroughly reflect on the different segments of the private equity industry, understand how private capital could help businesses grow, and what archetypes of PE firms would be the most relevant fit for me. In a way, we could say that it took me 10 years of personal due diligence to be sure about my motivation to join the PE world and, more importantly, Argos.
The world of private equity has changed a lot in recent years. What is your definition of PE? How do you see it?
Achille
During the year I spent at Toulouse FC, I truly saw the impact that PE firms could have on SMEs. This impact is threefold and goes way beyond purely financial considerations: professionalisation, human development, and sustainable growth. The first component relates to how PE firms can, in my opinion, help businesses improve their processes and ways of working in a relatively short timeframe. Second, PE is also about investing in people, from managers and entrepreneurs to the operational teams and entire employee base. Providing people with guidance and resources to grow personally and professionally is probably one of the most rewarding parts of the job. And lastly, once the people, tools, and processes are in place for dealing with day-to-day operations, PE is about laying the foundations of sustainable growth efficiently and rigorously by building long-term strategic plans and enabling all employees to own and implement their strategic initiatives.
What is the feeling that guides you most in your daily life?
Achille
Learning, learning and learning. About sectors, businesses, entrepreneurs – everything which you can later leverage to help people around you develop and grow.
You interact daily with managers. Is there an entrepreneur you admire in the market?
Achille
A few years ago, I learnt about the approach combining three types of “capital” to assess business: economic capital, natural capital, and social capital. Economic capital, including products and services as well as financial benefits, has been the main priority for decades now. But it is even more important to consider natural capital – to ensure that you operate within the design limits inherent in the natural environment – and social capital, as a prosperous business primarily depends on the well-being of your workforce. I see more and more CEOs and managers leading their teams with these three types of capital always in mind, and that is a truly inspirational trend.
” Providing people with guidance and resources to grow personally and professionally is probably one of the most rewarding parts of the job. “
Outside of your job, what are your passions or commitments?
Achille
Outside of work, I strive to show the upmost dedication to my family and friends and express how grateful I am for their constant support over the years. As you will have understood, sports also play a central part in my personal life – from running to tennis and football, which I try to play as much as I watch.
How do you see yourself in 10 years?
Achille
Spending my weekends coaching my children’s football team.
Do you have a place to share with us that reflects you? A place that inspires you and contributes to your balance?
Achille
Definitely my happy place, Belle-île-en-Mer – which literally translates to “Beautiful island in the sea” – a well-deserved name.
In another life, you would be... ?
Achille
A professional footballer.
If you would like to have a direct discussion with me, feel free to
Meet my Colleagues
Drop Me a Line!
The collection of the requested information is necessary to process your request. As part of the management of our prospects and customers, we keep the related personal data for a maximum of 5 years after the last contact. In accordance with the legal provisions in force, you have the right to access, rectify, carry, limit, oppose and delete data concerning you. To exercise them, send your request by e-mail or send a letter to the following address: dpo@argos.fund
