Executive Summary

Argenziano is an entrepreneur and an investor in private and public companies. He supported several entrepreneurs and management teams in setting up and implementing both “development” and “turnaround” strategies”.

As PE professional, Argenziano pioneered the private equity industry in the late 80s and managed several investments in a variety of industries and locations, mainly controlling interests in medium-size companies. He founded/managed the start up of new private equity players and he led the international operations of large institutional investors. Argenziano acted as executive and non-executive board member in several companies, including listed companies.

The track record of Argenziano, assessed by one of the "Big Four", registered a performance significantly above the PE industry over a time-frame exceeding 20 years. Business knowledge and direct involvement in management has been key to perform superior returns. Fairness and transparency are notably part of Argenziano's business approach.

Chronology

2011, to-date, ALCapital (ALC) managing partner. ALC performs PE investments in innovative businesses with a focus on growth and parterships with selected investors.

2006, to-date, MidCapitalPartner (MCP) owner and CEO. MCP performs private investments in public equity. In 2006, MCP has been equity sponsor of MID, an investment company listed in 2007 in the Milan Stock Exchange (part of the LSE) with the advise of Mediobanca (AllenOvery acted as legal advisor). MID project was born to adopt a longer investment cycle strategy focused in enhancing operating margin instead of financial leverage. MID IPO pioneered the FTSE MIB “Investment Company” segment. Argenziano served as managing partner and executive board member of MID until 2010. MCP is today one of the largest voting shareholder in MID.

Between 2001 and 2005, executive member of the European Engagement Committee of ABN AMRO Capital in Amsterdam, the private equity division of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. with ca. Euro 2.5 bn Portfolio under management. In 2001, ABN AMRO Capital strategy focused on controlling/majority investments (abandoning the strategy of “follower, minority investor”). In the 2001/2005 period, the division realised 26 investments and 22 disinvestments in continental Europe, UK, US, South America and Australia. In the same period, Argenziano served also as managing director of ABN AMRO Capital S.P.A. (AAC), an entity controlled by ABN AMRO for the operations of private equity in Italy. Between 2002 and 2005, ABN AMRO Capital S.P.A (has exclusive advisor of ABN AMRO Venture N.V and ABN AMRO Italian PE Fund N.V.) has acquired majority interests in 5 Italian companies investing more than Euro 250 million, and has exited 3 investments (AAC also acted as portfolio manager for 6 investments previously acquired in Italy from ABN AMRO Venture N.V.). As portfolio company board member, he has been involved in some emerging markets operations.

Between 1997 and 2001, President and CEO of Eptaventure S.P.A., the P.E. arm of EptaFund SGR (today part of IntesaSanPaolo), an asset management company with (the equivalent of) Euro 12 billions under management. Following the new Italian legislation, Eptaventure S.P.A. raised the first P.E. closed-end Funds. In that period, the company executed 8 investments and 2 exits, mostly as a leading investor in majority participations in medium size companies.

Between 1991 and 1996, as managing director of Heller Investments, the European subsidiary and P.E. advisory company of Heller Financial Corp. of Chicago, U.S. (today part of the General Electric Corp.), Argenziano experienced the set up of European P.E. operations (appointment of management teams….) in Germany, France and Italy. From 1991 to 1993 Heller Financial has acquired controlling interests in 7 medium size European companies, 6 of which were sold between 1994 and 1997.

Between 1985 and 1990, IMI Group (today part of IntesaSanpaolo). In the period from 1987 to 1990, he has executed equity investments in unquoted companies (including sourcing and managing the Country’s first management buy-out in the food industry, than sold to United Biscuits of UK).

Argenziano has begun its career in 1984 as corporate advisor in Arthur Andersen Consulting (today Accenture).

Education

Graduated “cum Laude” in Economy and Business Administration in the University of Pavia, Italy, Argenziano attended several business executive education programs in US, UK and worldwide.

Since 2001 Argenziano is “Visiting Professor” of the University of Castellanza (LUIC), where he holds lessons in the “Master in Finance” program.

Languages. French, Italian

Other

Between 1996 and 2006 Argenziano has been member of the board of the National Private Equity Association (AIFI), where it has also been President of the Tax&Legal committee.

He is licensed Auditor, member of the Auditors’ National Association, and Business Advisor.

52, Italian Passport, married with 2 children.

Non è sufficiente incassare un alto irr. l'azienda deve
crescere davvero
Cruciale come la performance economica dell'azienda è
l'introduzione di metodi di miglioramento della gestione e di una
vera corporate governance
È possibile codificare i termini di un'esperienza di successo
quando si parla di un'operazione di private equity? A essere
venali, la risposta sarebbe banalmente sì: basta guardare all'Irr.
Se le percentuali di rendimento stanno nel quartile più alto
rispetto al mercato, non c'è dubbio che il fondo ha fatto il suo
lavoro per i suoi investitori. Quanto al fatto che abbia fatto anche
il bene dell'azienda, però, non è detto...
È per questo che l'Aifi, l'associazione che riunisce gli investitori
italiani in capitali di rischio, ed Ernst&Young hanno deciso di far
compilare un questionario molto dettagliato, che va oltre all'Irr
incassato dal fondo, a tutti i fondi che avessero voluto
partecipare al premio Claudio Demattè Private equity of the year
2004 da loro promosso e poi consegnato ai vincitori Cape-
Natexis, Apax partners e Abn Amro, lo scorso 4 novembre.