“Following their very extensive evaluation of our business and industry Primestone very quickly became the largest shareholder in Johnson Service Group Plc.
As CEO I enjoyed a valued relationship with Franck and the team who were always very constructive and supportive of our growth strategy and vision for the business. Whilst focused on creating shareholder value Primestone were pleasantly and positively demanding but always in friendly and collaborative manner. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship and the experience whilst of course delivering so very impressive results.”
Chris SanderFormer CEO of Johnson Service Group
“PrimeStone has been one of Volution’s largest shareholders for almost 5 years now. We have been enjoying their focus on the long term performance vs next quarter, on strategy vs tactics as well as their constructive value added engagement with us. I like to use Benoît and his team as sparring partners to test ideas as we did recently on ESG where PrimeStone encouraged and helped us in the definition and implementation of our ESG strategy.”
Ronnie GeorgeCEO of Volution Group
“Primestone Capital were unknown to me when they first made their investment in SMS plc but they were to become not just an investor, but a key contributor to the direction of the company. Their contribution provided a voice that placed accountability on the Board. That proved invaluable with the recent acquisition by KKR where they placed principle before gain to ensure that the value realised was benchmarked for all shareholders benefit. A valuable addition to our shareholder register.”
Steve Timoney Founder Smart Metering Systems PLC
“When I took over as CEO of Spirent, our agenda for turning around the company was quite ambitious. We had to invest heavily in R&D and client coverage while restoring the profitability of the company. We were happy to have PrimeStone as long term shareholder during that difficult journey. Although Benoit and I we were not always in agreement on all matters, our discussions were always value adding and constructive. PrimeStone’s demanding support helped us eventually exceed our objectives.”
Eric HutchinsonFormer CEO Spirent Communications
“As CEO you need shareholders and board members who understand your business really well, have a long-term horizon and can be supportive partners during good as well as bad times. This is precisely what the team were to me. We worked very closely on all aspects of the business and together we rejuvenated AZ for long-term growth and led a successful IPO.”
Geoff WildFormer CEO of AZ Electronic Materials, CEO of Atotech
“When we changed shareholders, I chose to work with Franck and his team. With him as Chairman of our board we managed to accelerate our growth and international development. His team were true partners and collaborating with them was a real pleasure. Our dialogue was made easy thanks to their understanding of our business, the proximity and trust we had established as well as their focus on our key long-term value creation levers.”
Georges SampeurFormer CEO of B&B Hotels
“The team were first-class partners for us at Zodiac. The strategic vision they had for the business and industry consolidation was spot on and we continue to deliver on it years later. On the board, they were demanding, constructive, transparent and supportive. They were also analytical and very close to our business while remaining focused on what really mattered. I truly enjoyed our cooperation.”
Bruce BrooksFormer CEO of Zodiac Pool Systems, CEO of Fluidra
“Franck led the acquisition of Waterpik and during our 8-year partnership I have found him and his team to be highly supportive, strategic, analytical and value-added. Steady-minded and patient during the initial turnaround, they proved to be equally engaged and focused on long-term value creation during our innovation-driven growth phase.”
Richard BissonFormer CEO of Waterpik
““After a first successful buyout focused on low hanging fruits, we needed a value-added partner able to accompany us in the next phase of value creation. Benoît and his team brought us their long PE experience coupled with deep knowledge of the Telecom and Tech industries. They helped us as major shareholder transforming Sagemcom radically, identifying and selling non-core businesses in order to accelerate investments in our most promising activities.”
Patrick SevianCEO of Sagemcom
“Shortly after I joined UBM as CEO, PrimeStone became one of our major shareholders. I was struck by the investment they made to properly understand both the industries in which we operated and the strengths of our positions in those industries, both relatively and absolutely. Consequently they became strong supporters of our strategy and shared our vision of building a pure play events business through the disposal of non-core assets, the quality focused rationalisation of our portfolio of events and sustained investment in operational excellence. They recognised the opportunity to drive industry consolidation and were strong supporters of our M&A strategy.
Whenever we discussed the business their input, whether on strategy, management incentives, operations or the industry more generally was always well reasoned and articulated, thought provoking and if appropriate, constructively challenging. I always found them helpful and supportive. We shared a good relationship until the business was acquired by Informa.”
Tim CobboldFormer CEO of UBM
"As an investor in Tennant Company and during my interactions as CEO, I have found Franck, and the team from Primestone, to be very engaged, knowledgeable and well-informed about our industry and the market dynamics. They come to our calls well prepared with appropriately insightful, thought-provoking, and strategic questions that enable constructive dialogue."
Dave HumlPresident & CEO, Tennant Company
“Following their very extensive evaluation of our business and industry Primestone very quickly became the largest shareholder in Johnson Service Group Plc.
As CEO I enjoyed a valued relationship with Franck and the team who were always very constructive and supportive of our growth strategy and vision for the business. Whilst focused on creating shareholder value Primestone were pleasantly and positively demanding but always in friendly and collaborative manner. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship and the experience whilst of course delivering so very impressive results.”
Chris SanderFormer CEO of Johnson Service Group
“PrimeStone has been one of Volution’s largest shareholders for almost 5 years now. We have been enjoying their focus on the long term performance vs next quarter, on strategy vs tactics as well as their constructive value added engagement with us. I like to use Benoît and his team as sparring partners to test ideas as we did recently on ESG where PrimeStone encouraged and helped us in the definition and implementation of our ESG strategy.”
Ronnie GeorgeCEO of Volution Group
“Primestone Capital were unknown to me when they first made their investment in SMS plc but they were to become not just an investor, but a key contributor to the direction of the company. Their contribution provided a voice that placed accountability on the Board. That proved invaluable with the recent acquisition by KKR where they placed principle before gain to ensure that the value realised was benchmarked for all shareholders benefit. A valuable addition to our shareholder register.”
Steve Timoney Founder Smart Metering Systems PLC
“When I took over as CEO of Spirent, our agenda for turning around the company was quite ambitious. We had to invest heavily in R&D and client coverage while restoring the profitability of the company. We were happy to have PrimeStone as long term shareholder during that difficult journey. Although Benoit and I we were not always in agreement on all matters, our discussions were always value adding and constructive. PrimeStone’s demanding support helped us eventually exceed our objectives.”
Eric HutchinsonFormer CEO Spirent Communications
“As CEO you need shareholders and board members who understand your business really well, have a long-term horizon and can be supportive partners during good as well as bad times. This is precisely what the team were to me. We worked very closely on all aspects of the business and together we rejuvenated AZ for long-term growth and led a successful IPO.”
Geoff WildFormer CEO of AZ Electronic Materials, CEO of Atotech
“When we changed shareholders, I chose to work with Franck and his team. With him as Chairman of our board we managed to accelerate our growth and international development. His team were true partners and collaborating with them was a real pleasure. Our dialogue was made easy thanks to their understanding of our business, the proximity and trust we had established as well as their focus on our key long-term value creation levers.”
Georges SampeurFormer CEO of B&B Hotels
“The team were first-class partners for us at Zodiac. The strategic vision they had for the business and industry consolidation was spot on and we continue to deliver on it years later. On the board, they were demanding, constructive, transparent and supportive. They were also analytical and very close to our business while remaining focused on what really mattered. I truly enjoyed our cooperation.”
Bruce BrooksFormer CEO of Zodiac Pool Systems, CEO of Fluidra
“Franck led the acquisition of Waterpik and during our 8-year partnership I have found him and his team to be highly supportive, strategic, analytical and value-added. Steady-minded and patient during the initial turnaround, they proved to be equally engaged and focused on long-term value creation during our innovation-driven growth phase.”
Richard BissonFormer CEO of Waterpik
““After a first successful buyout focused on low hanging fruits, we needed a value-added partner able to accompany us in the next phase of value creation. Benoît and his team brought us their long PE experience coupled with deep knowledge of the Telecom and Tech industries. They helped us as major shareholder transforming Sagemcom radically, identifying and selling non-core businesses in order to accelerate investments in our most promising activities.”
Patrick SevianCEO of Sagemcom
“Shortly after I joined UBM as CEO, PrimeStone became one of our major shareholders. I was struck by the investment they made to properly understand both the industries in which we operated and the strengths of our positions in those industries, both relatively and absolutely. Consequently they became strong supporters of our strategy and shared our vision of building a pure play events business through the disposal of non-core assets, the quality focused rationalisation of our portfolio of events and sustained investment in operational excellence. They recognised the opportunity to drive industry consolidation and were strong supporters of our M&A strategy.
Whenever we discussed the business their input, whether on strategy, management incentives, operations or the industry more generally was always well reasoned and articulated, thought provoking and if appropriate, constructively challenging. I always found them helpful and supportive. We shared a good relationship until the business was acquired by Informa.”
Tim CobboldFormer CEO of UBM
"As an investor in Tennant Company and during my interactions as CEO, I have found Franck, and the team from Primestone, to be very engaged, knowledgeable and well-informed about our industry and the market dynamics. They come to our calls well prepared with appropriately insightful, thought-provoking, and strategic questions that enable constructive dialogue."
Dave HumlPresident & CEO, Tennant Company
“Following their very extensive evaluation of our business and industry Primestone very quickly became the largest shareholder in Johnson Service Group Plc.
As CEO I enjoyed a valued relationship with Franck and the team who were always very constructive and supportive of our growth strategy and vision for the business. Whilst focused on creating shareholder value Primestone were pleasantly and positively demanding but always in friendly and collaborative manner. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship and the experience whilst of course delivering so very impressive results.”
Chris SanderFormer CEO of Johnson Service Group
