Houlihan Lokey said on 20 January 2026 that it had agreed to acquire a controlling interest in Audere Partners, the French corporate finance firm that operates under the Natixis Partners brand.
Why Houlihan Lokey, Inc. is buying Audere Partners (Natixis Partners)
The deal significantly expands Houlihan Lokey's French operations. Audere advises French mid-cap clients, including financial sponsors, entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, and was to be integrated and rebranded under the Houlihan Lokey name.
Deal terms and financing
Financial terms were not disclosed. Senior Audere bankers including Patrick Maurel, Boris Picchiottino, François Rivalland, Nicolas Segretain, Bruno Stern and Ludovic Tron joined Houlihan Lokey.
Regulatory approvals and timing
Closing was expected in the first quarter of 2026; Houlihan Lokey's quarterly filing records that the transaction closed on 2 February 2026.
Market context
Houlihan Lokey also acquired the real estate capital advisory business of Mellum Capital, adding 11 professionals in Munich and London. The two deals took its EMEA platform to about 550 financial professionals, according to Pulse 2.0.
