I got into the world of finance while I was doing my accounting degree, because alongside my studies, I helped a friend with his carft business. I created the business plan and supported the founder through his various strategic initiatives, and his company’s top line doubled in a year and a half. This experience encouraged me to reorient my studies towards corporate finance once I obtained my accounting degree. While at ESSEC business school, I discovered the M&A profession at BNP and Morgan Stanley, then private equity at Advent International. I decided to join Morgan Stanley’s M&A team specialised in the technology sector in London. This was a great learning experience, especially on the technical aspects. A year later, however, I wanted to return to the small-company environment. Working with small companies is particularly dear to me, because I love seeing them grow and transform themselves. I heard about Argos’s reputation as a firm that is remarkably close to the companies in its portfolio and very hands-on. I found this especially attractive. My interview with the people at Argos strengthened my motivation to join the company, because I sensed a unique mixture of excellence, pragmatism and human warmth. All this made me think that Argos would be the perfect place for me to pursue my professional career.