Defoe Partners takes its name from Anatole Defoe, senior co-founding partner of Defoe Fournier & Cie.. Immediately at its founding in 1824, the spirit of partnership became a core value for the firm, as much of the character of this merchant bank was attributed to its junior co-founding partner Mathis Fournier. Fournier came to maturity during the turbulent times of French Revolution followed by Napoleonic Wars and The Empire, a period when the atmosphere was of rebirth, innovation and tradition. When he co-founded Defoe Fournier & Co., his partner Anatole Defoe had been in banking for more than 20 years, however it was Fournier's avant-garde approach to banking, a profession of utmost conservatism, was the reason of strong foothold the partnership gained within the establishment. Serving the needs of clients in remote areas and specialty situations, exemplified by colonial assets and major projects, the younger partner was the most celebrated traveling banker in Paris, mostly serving partnership needs by traveling were business required, and referring to his occupation as "merchant". The ability of Defoe Fournier & Cie. and the willingness of one of its senior partners to travel to any length and provide the highest level of support to clients has earned the company its respectable rank, result oriented reputation and high levels of profitability for the next two centuries to come.
In 2010, concurrent with organizational changes of Defoe Fournier
& Cie. geared to re-focus on its core historical large-cap Continental European business, the
merchant banking activities targeting emerging companies and markets were span-off and
Defoe Partners was created as a separated company.
Since commencing U.S. based merchant banking operations in 1998,
targeting emerging companies and markets, number of key events have contributed to
Defoe Partners' growth:
Year
Key Event
2011 -
Controlling interest is acquired in ESF Ltd., a specialty agri-commodities trading, shipping, finance and co-processing company with presence in Singapour and six Pacific Rim, Central European and South American countries. The company works closely with over 1,000 growers, who farm some 200,000 acres and harvest over 3 million tons of produce each year.
Redmont Brothers, a precious metals, base metals and concentrated ore trading and broking company with roots going back to 1898, combines its operations with Defoe Partners.
Defoe Partners Value Strategies, long/short equity strategies targeting above market performance by investing in value driven and shareholder activism supported opportunities in micro- and small-cap equity markets, marks its fifth anniversary.
2010 -
Defoe Partners' logo is adopted, the Thebaei pattern symbolizing strength through unity, diversity and tradition. The pattern was used by the legendary Roman Theban Legion to mark its shields and minted coins, the symbols of fortitude, unity and trust.
Infrastructure Desk is formed targeting widening opportunities in Southern Europe, and Western and Sub-Saharan Africa. More >
Parts of Research and Analytics Desk are span off as a separate business unit and merged with BOSS Ltd ("Back Office Support Systems") with Defoe Partners taking a strategic ownership position in BOSS Ltd.
The number of corporate directorships and advisory board memberships held by Defoe Partners' senior directors and partners exceeds twenty five.
Activities of the Firm in OECD economies and emerging markets reach parity.
Corresponding office in Ulan Bator established, targeting the East Asian region.
Concurrent with organizational changes of Defoe Fournier & Cie. geared to re-focus on its core historical large-cap Continental European business, the merchant banking activities targeting emerging companies were span-off and Defoe Partners was created as a separated company.
2009 -
The number of corporate directorships and advisory board memberships held by Defoe Partners' senior directors and partners exceeds twenty.
Hill van Breen & Co., a project and commodity trade structured finance house founded in 1989, merged into Defoe Partners.
Seven additional Partners and Associate Partners join the firm.
Research and Analytics Desk has increased its coverage to over 400 companies.
2008 -
Corresponding office in Zagreb established, targeting the Balkan region.
The Tenth Anniversary of presence in the US is marked.
2007 -
Credit Sovereign Group's New York office merged into Defoe Partners.
Corresponding office in London established.
The number of corporate directorships and advisory board memberships held by Defoe Partners' senior directors and partners exceeds ten.
Globally integrated Research and Analytics Desk is established with six researchers.
Corresponding office in Yerevan established, targeting the Southern European region.
2006 -
Two additional Partners join the firm.
Pittsburgh office opened.
Becomes co-founder of Arsenal Corporate Industries, a company formed to strategically acquire and invest in contract manufacturing companies in the U.S. and Europe. Invests in the company and facilitates growth through strategic and transactional advice.
Structured capital products are pioneered in contract manufacturing industry, positioning the firm as a leading financier of the sector.
2004 -
The Board of Corresponding Advisers is formed.
New York office opened.
Two additional Partners join the firm.
CS Opportunity Fund, an Atlanta based boutique merchant bank focused on real estate intensive small and medium size corporates, merger becomes the backbone of Defoe Partners growth in the U.S.
2002 -
Becomes part of Defoe Fournier Cie. focused on merchant banking activities for emerging companies and markets.
The first real estate structured finance transaction in a CEE market completed.
The combined value of all executed mandates exceeds the mark of $3 billion.
Corporate assets structured finance group is launched.
Separates from Lehman Brothers.
2000 -
The combined value of all executed mandates exceeds the mark of $1 billion.
The combined value of all executed mandates exceeds the mark of $500 million.
Structured capital products are pioneered in franchised quick-serve and casual dining industry, positioning the firm as a leading financier of the sector.
1999 -
Becomes part of Lehman Brothers.
The first corporate debt transaction mandate in a CEE market completed.
The combined value of all executed mandates exceeds the mark of $200 million.
Launches a leading franchise finance focused team.
Becomes correspondent of Lehman Brothers, originating acquisitions of and investments in portfolios of downstream energy companies.
Structured capital products are pioneered in downstream petroleum industry, positioning the firm as a leading financier of the sector.
The combined value of all executed mandates exceeds the mark of $100 million.
Becomes correspondent of Deutsche Bank, originating structured debt transactions.
1998 -
Participates in the formation of a company geared to strategically acquire and invest in downstream petroleum industry companies, investing and facilitating growth through strategic and transactional advice.
The first transaction, advisory and capital raise mandates for Phillips Petroleum's Atlanta assets divestment,is completed.
Becomes correspondent of Nomura Securities, originating structured debt transactions.
Atlanta office opened.
Formed with two working Partners and one associate.
Values
"We are not an 'all roads lead to Rome' bank. We are the extension of our patron's business and its financial partner. We shall deliver assurance and pertinent advice to them, no matter where they are. This shall never change." - Mathis Fournier, founding Partner of Defoe Fournier & Cie., 1824.
"Merchant banking business of the 21st century is not much different from the one of the 19th century. Encourage enterprise, pursue the profitable, avoid the pitfalls, and provide constant challenge. These maintain our resilience and make us the ideal partner for people we want to do business with, whoever or wherever they are." - Partners' Council, July 2010.
Strategy
Be the preferred merchant banker for emerging growth companies and its' shareholders, contributing to their growth and success as a most trusted partner ("first-call" partner) by offering sophisticated and innovative solutions, combined with first-class execution.
Approach
Best Partner.Placing priority on being "best partner" to our clients, to empowering and allowing them to achieve sustainable growth from a long-term perspective.
Focus with Global Perspective. Our concerted efforts across the globe focus on emerging companies, small to medium size companies with enterprise values of $20 to $500 million.
Leading-edge Innovation.We challenge the status quo and are constantly developing new business concepts and methodologies, with focus on "innovation and creativity" to meet customer needs and adapt to market changes.
Tradition.We take great pride in the tradition we have developed over the decades, and the preservation of it is considered the highest priority for the firm's continuity for decades to come.
Leadership & Mentoring.We focus on leadership that encompasses a strong commitment to realizing one's own vision and generates growth by maximizing the synergy of the organization. We are committed to supporting one another through mentoring, training and team collaboration. We invest in each other and share wisdom from past experiences.
Alliances.We expand our geographic reach and operational capabilities by forging long-term and mutually amicable relationships with like-minded organizations.
Profitability.Our financial performance is the key to our success. It replenishes our capital and attracts and keeps our best people. It is our practice to share the results of our financial performance generously with all who helped create them.
NOTICE: Defoe Partners and related entities (collectively Defoe Partners) only offers services and products where it is allowed to do so: therefore, not all of our products or services may be available to you. Defoe Partners, when acting as investor, does so as a private investment group. It does not solicit funds for management or co-investment from unrelated parties. All investment activities are conducted exclusively for the benefits of shareholders/partners/owners of Defoe Partners who also bear all risks related to all investment activities.
