Pierre founded Champlain Financial Corporation (“CFC”) in 2004 with the objective of making investments in Canadian small and mid-market companies. Prior to founding CFC, Pierre co-founded Champlain Capital Partners, our U.S. affiliate which raised a US$150 million buyout fund in 2002.
Prior to his foray into private equity, Pierre worked for five years as an investment banker with Lazard Frères & Co. LLC and, prior to that, for two years at Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Inc. Over his career, Pierre has participated in the origination and execution of over 40 transactions including, among others, exclusive sales, high yield debt financings, management buy-outs and initial public offerings. Pierre also worked at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a major Canadian financial institution and for Lancaster Financial Corp., a private investment banking firm.
Pierre received a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Laval University, a Graduate Degree in Management from the Université Catholique de Louvain, and an M.B.A. from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University.
Jean-Stéphane has been a partner with Champlain Financial Corporation since 2005. Previously, he was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, where he advised clients across a variety of industries on topics ranging from mergers & acquisitions and corporate organization to operational improvements, sales stimulation and strategic planning. He started his career at Ernst & Young LLP, where he led audit engagements with various private and public companies.
Mr. Yansouni sits on a number of boards within Champlain’s portfolio. He earned a Bachelor of commerce and a Graduate Degree in Accountancy from Concordia University, as well as an M.B.A. from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He is also Member of the Quebec order of professional chartered accountants (CA).
Scott joined Champlain in 2006 after several years of management consulting experience with McKinsey & Company, advising clients on strategic and operational improvement programs, specializing in the retail, telecommunications and manufacturing sectors. Prior to that, Scott practiced corporate and tax law at McMaster Meighen.
More recently, Scott was the President of Pro Hockey Life (PHL), a Champlain portfolio company, growing the business from a local chain in 2007 into Canada’s leading hockey retailer. PHL was acquired by Canadian Tire Corporation in 2013.
Scott holds a M.B.A. from INSEAD, B.C.L. and LL.B degrees from McGill University and a B.A. from University of Western Ontario.
Francois has joined Champlain Financial Corporation in 2018. He was previously a project leader within Boston Consulting Group in its Toronto office, where he advised clients in the U.S. and Canada across a variety of industries and topics. He has worked as well within PSP Investments in their private equity group, mainly focusing on U.S. large cap buyouts. He started his career as an investment banker in the Montreal office of National Bank Financial.
He earned a Bachelor of commerce from HEC Montreal, as well as an M.B.A. from INSEAD.