Establishes Houlihan Lokey as a Leading Advisor in France
PARIS and LOS ANGELES – 20 January 2026 – Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI), the global investment bank, today announced that it has signed an agreement to secure a controlling interest in Audere Partners, a prominent French corporate finance firm currently operating under the Natixis Partners brand. This transaction significantly enhances Houlihan Lokey’s presence in France and positions the firm as one of the country’s premier mid-cap-focused advisory platforms.
Audere Partners is renowned for its market-leading expertise in French mid-cap advisory, mainly serving financial sponsors, entrepreneurs, and family-owned businesses. Its senior leadership will all join Houlihan Lokey, including Patrick Maurel, who built and led the founding team of Audere Partners; Boris Picchiottino; François Rivalland; Nicolas Segretain; Bruno Stern; and Ludovic Tron. They will be accompanied by the other seasoned professionals who contributed to Audere Partners’ success.
Houlihan Lokey established its Paris office in 2005 and has since strengthened its presence through strategic acquisitions alongside a series of senior appointments. Following this transaction, which will add more than 50 financial professionals to Houlihan Lokey, the firm’s French team will number around 80 in total. Across EMEA, the firm will have approximately 550 financial professionals.
“Audere Partners built a reputation as one of France’s leading mid-cap advisory firms, led by a senior team of highly respected and talented professionals who share our values and our commitment to delivering outstanding outcomes for clients,” commented Larry DeAngelo, Global Co-Head of Corporate Finance at Houlihan Lokey. “What differentiates Houlihan Lokey is our global reach, deep sector expertise, combined with our unparalleled access to alternative capital, and we are excited to offer these capabilities in France at scale, building on the momentum we’ve established across much of Europe.”
“In Houlihan Lokey, we have found the ideal partner to provide our clients with the highest-quality advice and offer them opportunities on a global scale, and to offer our team the chance to continue its development by combining their talents with those of Houlihan Lokey,” said Patrick Maurel.
“Houlihan Lokey has a reputation for unparalleled sector expertise, extensive access to alternative capital, outstanding intellectual capital, and its client-centric culture,” said Ludovic Tron. “We are delighted to join such a powerful platform and look forward to bringing these strengths to our clients, while also providing deeper access to the French market for Houlihan Lokey’s global client base.”
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. Upon closing, Audere Partners will be integrated into Houlihan Lokey and operate under the Houlihan Lokey brand.