21 May 2008

PAI Partners (“PAI”) is pleased to announce that Lionel Zinsou will be joining PAI on 1 July as a member of the Executive Committee

Lionel Zinsou, 53, arrives from Rothschild & Cie where he has been a General Partner since 1997 and is Head of the Consumer Products Group, Head of Middle East and Africa and a member of the Global Investment Bank Committee. During his time at Rothschild & Cie, Lionel advised PAI on numerous transactions, including Panzani, Amora Maille, William Saurin, Lustucru, United Biscuits, Yoplait and Vivarte.

Lionel Zinsou started his professional career as a lecturer and a professor in economics at University Paris XIII and a member of the Department of Industry’s Ministerial office and then of the Prime Minister’s office. In 1986 Lionel joined Danone where he held various positions including Group Corporate Development Director, Managing Director of HP and Lea & Perrins and member of the Group Executive Committee.

Lionel graduated from Ecole Normale Supérieure in 1975 and holds a master in Economic History as well an Agregation in Economics and Social Sciences.
Lionel Zinsou said “I am delighted to be joining PAI. I fully share PAI’s strategy to acquire market leading businesses and increase their strategic value and I have developed over the past ten years with the team a deep and constructive relation.”

Dominique Mégret, Chairman & CEO of PAI said “We are extremely pleased to welcome Lionel Zinsou as a member of the Executive Committee. We have known Lionel for many years and have worked with him on numerous transactions. We consider his experience, judgement and stature in the business community to be great assets for PAI”.