Thierry Francois
Partner at Akiles
Thierry Francois
Partner at Akiles
Oud-Heverlee, Flemish Region
Overview
Work Experience
Partner
2019 - Current
Akiles is an evergreen investment fund focussing on growth capital. Board Director at Methis Consulting, a BeNeLux niche player in business consulting. Member of the Strategic Committee at Saturne Technology, a Luxembourg company specialised in laser techniques and metal additive manufacturing Board Director at eFarmz, the Belgian e-shop for organic and local meal kits and ultra-fresh products Board Director at Holifresh, a Belgian start-up specialised in IOT and HACCP controls in the food and retail sectors Board Director at Emmers Ruitersport, a leading high-end equestrian retail chain
CFO and Board Director
2019
Board Member and part-time CFO of Zùsto, a Belgian company active in the food sector. Zùsto commercialises a revolutionary sugar substitute: 100% identical taste, texture and sweetness as traditional sugar. 75% less calories. More pleasure, less guilt.
managing director
2010
magenta tree is an independent advisory practice specialised in financial and strategic analysis, private equity, wealth management and corporate governance
Board Director (Chairman from April 2016 to April 2018)
2013 - 2024
Board Member of the Belgian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (in short “BVA”), a professional association representing the venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) community in Belgium.
Advisor
2017 - 2023
Advisor and Board Member (2017-21) of Aguila, the advisor of Triginta Real Estate Fund, a Belgian real estate developer and investor specialised in the (re)development and/or investment in (i) real estate belonging to congregations and religious orders, (ii)(health)care assets, and (iii) public private partnership.
Partner - Wealth Management
2015 - 2019
Econopolis is an independent financial and economic partner specialized in asset management and financial and economic advice. Next to the ‘wealth management’ investment activities, Econopolis is also active in ‘wealth coaching’ and ‘private investments’. Board Member of Econopolis Wealth Management, Econopolis Strategy and EPi.
Board Director, member of the Audit Committee
2015 - 2018
Independent Board Director and member of the Audit Committee at Bone Therapeutics, a leading cell therapy company addressing high unmet needs in orthopaedics and bone diseases. Bone Therapeutics is listed on Euronext Brussels.
Investment Director
2011 - 2015
Korys is the investment structure of the Colruyt family. Next to holding a significant stake in the Colruyt Group, Korys participates in a host of investments and projects consistent with its values and its mission. Director in the boards of Sofindev II nv and Sofindev III nv (www.sofindev.be) and Re-Vive Brownfield Fund II cvba (www.re-vive.eu). Observer at First Retail International nv.
Private Equity - Head of Investment Analysts
2004 - 2011
As Head of Investment Analysts at BNP Paribas Fortis, I was involved in the investment decision process of all private equity direct investments and participate actively to the monitoring and exit preparation. Director or President of Board of Directors in various SMEs.
Director Equity Research
2000 - 2004
Sell side Equity Research at Fortis Bank Global Markets (Brussels). Co-ordinator for the consumer staples sector in Europe. Focus on the European food retailers (primary research on Carrefour, Casino, Delhaize and Colruyt) and food manufacturers (primary research on Unilever and Danone).
Senior Equity Analyst
1997 - 2000
Sell side Equity Research analyst . Focus on the food retail sector (Delhaize, GIB, Colruyt, Ahold, Laurus) as well as on a number of IT and telecom companies listed on Euronext Brussels and on Easdaq.