Advent bolsters Paris office with GDF Suez’s Cirelli

Between 1985-1995, Cirelli held various roles at the Treasury of the French Ministry of Economy and Finance. In 1995, he went on to advise the French president on technical affairs until 1997, when he became an economic adviser.

After a two-year mandate as deputy staff director for prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Cirelli left his government roles as he joined the energy sector. In 2004, he was appointed chair and CEO of state-owned Gaz de France. In 2008, when Gaz de France merged with fellow energy giant Suez, he remained on board as vice-chair and CEO of the resulting GDF Suez group.

Cirelli's appointment comes 28 years after Advent initiated operations in France and 18 years after offices were set up in Paris. Advent's most recent French foray took place in October 2013, when it backed its German portfolio company Douglas Group for the acquisition of perfume chain Nocibé from Charterhourse.

In early September, the Dutch Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (NVP) appointed Annemarie Jorritsma – the Dutch deputy prime minister between 1998-2002 – as its chairperson.

Cirelli and Jorritsma are the latest names in a series linking the political sphere with private equity. Notable examples include former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who was rumoured to be setting up his on private equity fund after losing the presidency to Francois Hollande; and recently appointed Benin prime minister Lionel Zinsou, who was chief executive at PAI Partners prior to taking office in the African country.

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