Yves de Chaisemartin lost Friday the direction of Altran, the Board of Directors of the technology consulting company has designated Philip Hall to replace him.
The fate of former boss was sealed since the vote of the general meeting of shareholders by late morning, they stood together to Altrafin Participations, the holding company controlled by Apax Partners, which demanded his departure.
After heated debate, they voted for the election to the board of directors of two new representatives of Altrafin Participations, Philip Hall and Monique Cohen, rejecting the appointment of three independent directors, as proposed by Yves de Chaisemartin.
"Game Over", had already acknowledged after the vote of the General Assembly Yves de Chaisemartin, who refused to bow to calls for the resignation of Altrafin.
The outcome of the Board was not in doubt, Altrafin, which has the support of representatives of the two founders of the company's board now has six votes out of ten against four out of eight in the previous configuration.
The new CEO Philip Hall has meanwhile said in an interview with Reuters that he set the objective to develop a first draft strategic plan for technology consulting company by the end of September.
NO VERDICT APPEAL
The verdict of shareholders was no appeal in contrast to what could suggest the applause for Yves de Chaisemartin in the room: Phil Hall, Monique Cohen were elected with 91.52% and 83.42% of votes.
With a quorum at 62.61%, the balance of power firmly in favor of playing Altrafin Holdings which owns 19.2% of the capital and 31.2% of the voting rights of society.
At 46, Philip Hall, who spent eight years in consulting before leading international groups such as Vedior and Geoservices, unsurprisingly should take the lead Altran when the company is on the road to recovery.
"I proved in my career that I have made strong developments (…) Internationally and I think that is a topic of particular interest that Altran, "he said.
Former McKinsey and Accenture, but it will build a reputation in a sector where it has so far not had the opportunity to exercise.
The meeting, held under the supervision of a bailiff in the presence of a large police contingent, led to heated exchanges.
"You wanted me to leave as we do from a chicken thief," shouted Yves de Chaisemartin, accusing Apax Partners will take control of the board.
Altran's boss has defended the record of his five years at the helm of the group, believing that the refocusing of activities on project management and control policy costs were paid off.
YVES DE CHAISEMARTIN DEFENDS HIS BALANCE
"The strategy worked," he said at the podium, recalling that the group had recorded a double-digit growth in its turnover in the first quarter.
"I can tell you, even if the official turnover of the group's second quarter will be announced at the end of August (…) we are largely in line with these figures, with this growth and it will even accelerated. "
While acknowledging that some things "could have gone faster," he again denounced the methods used by Apax, confessing to having thought resign.
"We could organize a smooth transition smoothly," he told representatives of Apax first.
They have defended their decision to want to appoint a new CEO, regretting that their dispute with former boss was focused on the media and judicial fields.
"Despite the tremendous efforts made by the company, it is clear that the results do not go," said Maurice Tchenio, founder of Apax he represents the Board of Altran.
He has set several priorities for Philip Hall: lead a strategic review by country and profession to better direct human and financial resources, accelerate growth both internally and through acquisitions and improve profitability for the bear "at the best ".
"The goal we have (…) Is Altran again become the undisputed leader, "he said, recalling that Apax had invested 150 million euros in Altran since his arrival in the capital in 2008.
The action of Altran closed down 0.94% to 5.2460 euros. Since the beginning of the year, it jumped 61.27%.