Responsible investor
Our ESG approach
Portfolio – In
Portfolio – Realized
Sparring Capital is an independent management company specializing in equity investments in unlisted companies.
We invest in French SMEs selected for their potential and work closely with their management teams to accelerate their growth. As a specialist in supporting small and medium-sized companies, we put at their disposal the experience and resources we have built up during the numerous operations we have carried out since the creation of Sparring Capital in 2002.
We are convinced that the human factor is at the heart of the success of our operations. Our approach is based on a close partnership with the management teams and a shared vision of the development project. We take the time necessary to identify the challenges of the companies we support and to create a relationship of trust based on transparency, professionalism and availability.
Since its creation, Sparring Capital has raised over €850 million from leading French and international investors, most of them institutional. We have invested in more than 30 companies and completed nearly 80 external growth transactions.
Beyond the search for high-level financial performance, we believe that value creation must be part of a long-term perspective that includes social progress and the reduction of environmental impacts.
Our company was one of the first private equity firms in France to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into its investment policy, thus resolutely adopting a socially responsible investor approach.
Sparring Capital est agréée par l'AMF, sous le numéro 02025
Arnaud Leclercq Partner, CEO
Arnaud joined Sparring Capital in January 2015. Prior to this, he was responsible for French operations at Gimv, an investment company listed on Brussels Euronext, which he joined in 2007. Before this, he held the post of Managing Director at Natixis Private Equity.
Arnaud is a graduate of the IEP de Paris and holds an MBA from the ESSEC.
Denis Catz Principal
Denis joined Sparring Capital in December 2002, having previously worked for Crédit Lyonnais Private Equity. From 1996 to 2001, he was with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Paris (Audit and Transaction Services). Prior to this, he worked for an automotive finance company in Switzerland.
Denis is a graduate of the ESSEC.
Johann Le Duigou Partner
Johann joined Sparring Capital in September 2018, having previously worked for 14 years in another independant private equity firm, Nixen Partners, where he was one of the partners. Prior to this, he has worked for Bain & Company, a leading strategy consulting firm.
Johann holds an INSA-Lyon engineer degree and an ESSEC MBA.
Alexandre Beau Principal
Alexandre joined Sparring Capital in March 2018, having recently worked 3 years for Apicap. Previously, he worked for Argos Expansion (Argos Soditic Group) and 123Investment Managers.
Alexandre holds master's degrees from Paris-Dauphine and La Sorbonne.
Adrien de La Bouillerie Principal
Adrien joined Sparring Capital in September 2021. Prior to this, Adrien worked for 9 years in Transaction Services at Eight Advisory.
Adrien is a graduate of Paris Dauphine University, Master 225 (Corporate finance and financial engineering).
Raphaël Campion Analyst
Raphaël joined Sparring Capital in September 2020. He has previous experiences in Private Equity at Ardian (Buyout team) and at Parquest Capital.
Raphaël is a graduate from EM Lyon Business School (MCS in Management – Programme Grand Ecole).
Diane Perrin-Pelletier Associate
Diane joined Sparring Capital in September 2020. Prior to this, Diane worked for three years in Mergers & Acquisitions at Bryan Garnier & Co.
Diane is a graduate of Paris Dauphine University, Master 225 (corporate finance and financial engineering).
Bastien Labry Associate
Bastien joined Sparring Capital in October 2020, after having worked for 3 years within the M&A department of Comexposium.
Bastien is a graduate of EM Lyon.
Natalia Baudart Office Manager
Natalia joined Sparring Capital in June 2017 as Executive Assistant, after 3 years as Office Manager at Advancy consulting in Paris.
Justine Roze Associate
Justine joined Sparring Capital in April 2021. Prior to this, Justine worked for three years in Strategy Consulting at L.E.K. Consulting.
Justine is a graduate from ESCP.
Tancrède Colas Senior Associate
Tancrède joined Sparring Capital in May 2021 after having worked for 6 years in the Mid Cap Mergers & Acquisitions department at Rothschild & Co.
Tancrède is a graduate of EDHEC
Nathanaël Westphal Sustainability Manager
Nathanaël joined Sparring Capital in May 2021. He supports companies as CSR and Sustainable Development consultant since 2016, and teaches on CSR / Energy / Climate issues in Master's degree at ESAM.
Nathanaël is a graduate of Science Po Aix and holds an MBA from the IGS group.