C. Couturier appointed Partner

Astorg Partners, the independent French private equity investment team specialising in midcap LBOs,is pleased to announce the appointment of Christian Couturier as Partner from 1st October, 2008.

Christian Couturier joined Astorg as a Director of Investments in 2001 and has since played a key role in numerous transactions including Pasteur Cerba, Geoservices, Ethypharm, Webhelp and Photonis,and has served on the Boards of these companies.

Christian began his career in 1993 at Bossard Consultants, London, as a strategy and management consultant. He then joined their Paris team as a Manager before being promoted to Director in the Strategy Division following the merger of Bossard Consultants and Gemini Consulting.

Christian Couturier, 39, holds an MBA from the ESCP-EAP Business School.

Xavier Moreno, President of Astorg, said "We are delighted to integrate Christian into the Investment Committee of the Astorg funds. His appointment reflects our trust and our recognition of his contribution to Astorg's success. Astorg will continue to develop through the promotion of its most experienced team members and the recruitment of young, talented professionals."