EIM, the international leader of executive interim management services, has closed the acquisition of Paris-based Colibee. Founded in 2008 by Olivier Fernandes, Colibee is a leading freelance consulting player leveraging a network of over 1,000 independent consultants and interim managers with expertise in management and technology. Colibee provides qualified consultants specialized in Information Technologies and Management consulting services to large French and European groups. It generates c.€20m sales in 2023 and employs more than 20 people.

The acquisition of Colibee further strengthens EIM’s leadership position, gaining a strategic edge by developing a new expertise in Information Technologies and Management consultancy to better support current and future needs of its clients, while reinforcing its interim management services.

Olivier Fernandes, founder of Colibee: “It is with great enthusiasm that we are joining our complementary competencies to better serve a wider range of clients in terms of size and sector, unleashing a strong cross-selling potential in France and across Europe.”

Michele Bruno, President of EIM group: “We warmly welcome Colibee as it becomes a part of our group. This strategic acquisition positions us to expand our service offerings, incorporating on-demand consulting in Management and Information Technology. Our objective is to enhance our ability to support clients in their transformative journeys by delivering flexible and highly professional solutions.”

Thierry Tomasov, Managing Director of EIM France: “We have identified Information Technologies competencies as key strategic success factor in the continuing digitisation of companies which we expect will receive a further boost from the explosive growth of artificial intelligence and data challenges. To get a headstart in this area, we have decided to add these cutting-edge expertise and up-to-date capabilities to our offer of premium interim management services through the acquisition of a major French player in this area.”

The transaction has been fully supported by EIM’s financial sponsor idiCo.

Dr. Isa Schulz, Director of the EIM Board and Director at idiCo: “We are very glad to support EIM’s ambitious external growth strategy by sharing our expertise. After (i) entering a new geography via the acquisition of Gronova and (ii) the consolidation of the German market thanks to the integration of Management Angels last year, this transaction shows the 3^rd pillar of EIM’s buy & build plan: Adding capabilities in strategic adjacent areas such as Management and Information Technologies consulting.”

About EIM

Founded in 1989, EIM invented the concept of executive interim management. Since then, with more than 10,000 assignments to its name and a network of 30 offices, the group has established itself as the market leader in Europe with a presence in every other major market in the world. With a nurtured global community of some 35,000 experienced senior executives, EIM delivers business breakthrough differently, partnering actively with clients and executives throughout the assignment to unlock performance potential, anywhere in the world, and especially when rapid solutions, transformation or out-performing results are called for. 

About Colibee

Colibee was created in 2008 in France to meet the growing demand from clients looking for more expertise and flexibility, but also to meet the demand from consultants looking for independence and meaning. Colibee selects and develops a network of 1,000 leading consultants who share the same values: high-level expertise, duty to advise, sense of customer service, excellence.

As pioneer, Colibee invented a new type of technology and management consulting firm and offers a double advantage: the demands and quality of service of a consulting firm combined with the flexibility and expertise of freelance consultants.

À propos de Idico

In October 2022, idiCo (formerly Omnes Capital) acquired a minority stake in EIM, alongside its management, to support its goal of reinforcing its European leadership and accelerating its global expansion. With c. €1.0 bn assets under management, idiCo is a leading French platform investing in private equity and private debt dedicated to SMEs. 

Participants

EIM

Michele Bruno, President of EIM AG and Managing Partner of Italy

Thierry Tomasov, Member of the board of EIM AG & Managing Partner of France

Dr. Thomas Schneider, Member of the board of EIM AG & Managing Partner of Germany

Nuh Tolga Aktuglu, Group CFO

idiCo

Stéphane Roussilhe, Partner

Dr. Isa Schulz, Director

François Bernon, Principal

Oksana Tordjman Bolis, Analyst

 

Colibee

Olivier Fernandes, founder

Advisors

Buy-side financial advisor: Advance Capital (Thomas Récipon, Dylan Carry)

Buy-side legal advisor: Kalliope (Tanguy d’Everlange, Ava Sereshki) and MLL (Nicola Benz)

Sell-side financial advisor: SHD Conseil (Hervé Uzan)

Sell-side legal advisor: Bretlim-Fortuny (Marie-Caroline Lafond, Clara Beguier)