Business Acquisition: The EDHEC Network Helps You Take the Next Step

Business Acquisition: The EDHEC Network Helps You Take the Next Step

2026-02-10 10:41:00

2026-10-16 14:00:27

2026-10-05 10:54:54

ERWAN ROUXEL

How do you find the right company to acquire? Assess its value and finance the deal? Negotiate with the seller? Make the first 100 days a success?On 28 September, 75 participants gathered in Lille to hear expert insights and first-hand experiences from business leaders at a conference organised by the EDHEC Alumni Hauts-de-France Club.Hosted by KEYMAN Executive Search and moderated by Diane Thiriez, the evening brought together Rania Labaki, Professor and Director of the Family Business Chair at EDHEC Business School, Pascal Delval, CRA Lille Métropole Representative, and two entrepreneurs who have successfully acquired businesses themselves: Gilles Conesa (KEPRA Industries) and Christophe Guillerme (Parqueterie de la Lys).From the decision to buy to the first days at the helmFinding the right target, securing financing, building a relationship with the seller, taking the first steps with employees: the discussion brought together practical methods and real-world experience. One key takeaway? Accept that you cannot control everything. "With just 5% of the answers, you can take the plunge," said Gilles Conesa, quoting Mike Horn.Once at the helm, listening before making changes and building trust are just as important. As one employee told his new boss: "In 28 years, management had never once sat down to eat with me."The discussion concluded with a reminder of the humility required when taking over a business. Having acquired a company founded 150 years ago, Christophe Guillerme pointed out how his own experience pales in comparison with the collective knowledge accumulated by its employees over generations. "We are all custodians of know-how." Taking over a business also means understanding what deserves to be preserved and passed on before deciding what needs to change.Conversations that move businesses forwardThe conversation continued during the networking reception, giving participants the opportunity to move their projects forward: gaining a clearer understanding of the first steps, discussing financing strategies with experts, and connecting with business owners and buyers facing similar challenges...These conversations demonstrate the value a strong network can bring at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey: access to the right expertise, the opportunity to test decisions against peers' experience, and meaningful connections that help turn plans into action.As Pascal Delval summed it up: "Business succession is not simply an end-of-career issue. It is a strategic matter that concerns every stage in the life of a company and its leaders."A big thank you to all our speakers, the ambassadors of the EDHEC Alumni Lille Club, KEYMAN Executive Search for hosting us, and Engy Dos Santos for capturing the evening in pictures.A great way to kick off the season in Lille: expertise shared, connections made, and business projects moving forward.See the event photosJoin the Business Acquisition Club

https://alumni.edhec.edu/medias/image/thumbnail_2978026926a8c56aeb3b93.png