Geos Group

October, 13 2008
Optimized management systems :
Appointment of Executive Director Patrick Coutand
Executive Director of GEOS Group

Patrick Coutand is a graduate of ESSEC, holds a Master’s degree in Economic Sciences and a DECS, and began his career in 1976 at PROCTER & GAMBLE.
In 1981, he joined ELECTROLUX MOTOCULTURE, where he worked as Chief Financial Officer before being appointed Chief Operating Officer and participating in the Group’s broad acquisition policy.
In 1988, he was appointed Chairman of Valve Precision France. In 1992 he was named Chairman of PROTECTAS France, and helmed the rise of SECURITAS in France managing numerous acquisitions, in particular the buyout of PROTEG in 1998.
From 2001 to 2004, he was in charge of the Canadian branch of SECURITAS.
In 2001, Mr. Coutand was elected President of the UFISS, the French Federation of Security Services and Industries, and was a member of the Executive Committee of the Medef, the French Business Federation, from 2002 to 2004. In 2003, he took part in the founding of GPS, the French Professional Services Group, as board member and founder.
As of 2004, he worked as Vice President Europe of PRECISION Corp, the world leading manufacturer of aerosol valve and spray systems, where he was in charge of an industrial reorganisation plan.
Today, Patrick Coutand has been appointed Executive Director of GEOS, the leading risk management provider in Europe. His expertise and international experience and his comprehensive understanding of the Group’s services and experise are real advantages for the promotion of the international diversification and expansion strategy of the GEOS Group.

October, 13 2008

New ambitions for 2009

Two new long-term shareholders
GEOS is reinforcing its shareholder equity to continue its development strategy and implementation plan. The Halisol Group and Participex have both made long-term investments to become shareholders of the GEOS Group.

HALISOL is an investment company that has participated in the development of European SMEs since 1994.
Due to its manufacturing experience in pharmaceutics (UPSA laboratories), HALISOL manages €400 m and invests long-term in the capital of companies to support them in their projects.
HALISOL has operated in areas as diverse as the financing of petroleum activities, beauty product distribution or food processing.
HALISOL invests its own equity funds. The nature of its shareholding ensures the long-term nature of its investments insofar as HALISOL is not subject to the constraints that usually apply to investment funds.
In 2008, HALISOL is participating in financing the development of the GEOS Group, the leading risk management provider in Europe, becoming the Group’s second largest shareholder.

PARTICIPEX was founded in 1980 by a consortium of banking institutions and major regional enterprises. In 2004, it became the investment arm of the Crédit Agricole Nord de France.
The vocation of PARTICIPEX is to invest in small and medium-sized companies to further their development. It specializes in private equity capital-raising operations for SMEs in a wide range of business sectors.
PARTICIPEX seeks to establish real partnerships with company management for the implementation of mid-term development strategies. It is managed by a regional management team that is part of Participex Gestion, headquartered in Lille, and a subsidiary of Vauban Partenaires. Its investment team is made up of experienced local managers. The diversity and expertise of its members guarantee a high degree of efficiency and professionalism.
In partnership with funds managed by Vauban Partenaires, Participex has considerable investment capital at its disposal. There are few regional structures with comparable investment capabilities.
The philosophy underpinning its operations is advance planning to counter problems that may arise and to provide solutions while creating new opportunities for the companies. PARTICIPEX provides companies with capital organisation plans, monitors the compatibility between shareholder and company projects, and works closely with board members on acquisition projects.
In 2008, PARTICIPEX has chosen the GEOS Group, the leading risk management provider in Europe, as its partner.