Wim Vermeersch and Johan Van Delm have been tasked by ERA Group headquarters with breathing new life into their sister company in France; in line with their philosophy of 'Value through Insight'. Twelve years have passed since the two consultants founded ERA Group in Belgium...
We asked Wim Vermeersch and Johan Van Delm; both Co-Country Managers of ERA Group Belgium and France; to comment on this.
Is ERA France really ready to stand on its own two feet?
The current team of 10 partners will double in size over the course of the year. The current partners work in seven regional offices across the country; including Bordeaux; Lille; Lyon; Marseille; Nantes; Paris (Vendôme) and Strasbourg. But this is only the beginning. France offers enormous opportunities. The aim is to build a strong regional network from these 'local offices' in order to provide the best possible local support; in line with the 'Value through Insight' philosophy. And we have ambitious plans: we aim to reach 60 partners within five years.
Do France and Belgium work closely together?
There is indeed very close cooperation between the French and Belgian teams. For example; we have annual kick-off meetings with all BeFra partners. We provide concrete support to the French organization from Belgium. This applies to both business development and the implementation of consulting assignments themselves. Many companies have offices in both France and Belgium. Within ERA Group; we also have many international clients with a presence in France.
In any case; we are used to working together across borders. The French team is strongly supported by colleagues from all neighbouring countries (including Germany; Italy; Spain and the United Kingdom). In practical terms; we often work with international experts in other countries where ERA Group is present. This enables us to offer clients our specific expertise and experience in the various areas where they need support in order to work more efficiently and/or achieve savings.
How did this relaunch of the French business work in practice?
ERA Group's UK headquarters asked us to get the French organization back on track; as it was experiencing difficulties getting started. The key was to add the necessary experience and expertise to the existing team so that we could also offer our clients in France the solutions they needed to control their costs. We are gradually expanding the team. In the meantime; we are calling on neighbouring countries to provide the skills that are not yet present within the current French team. We have also ensured that the operational French team is fully integrated into the ERA Group.
What is ERA's ambition in the French market?
We want to reach the same level in France as the ERA Group currently has in Germany and the United Kingdom. Initially; this means significant growth of the team to 60 partners in five years; followed by gradual growth to achieve a turnover of around £17 million.
The team will be made up of sales forces and specialists in more than 40 cost categories for which ERA offers solutions to its clients. Our partners are generally former C-level executives from large and medium-sized companies and experts from various disciplines. These experts contribute their know-how and solutions based on their previous professional experience or develop tailor-made solutions within the ERA Group; applying the principle of "Value through Insight".
The aim is to have a strong presence in both Paris and the regions and to be able to manage international projects and customer relations from France.
How is business going in Belgium?
ERA Group's Belgian business is booming! We now have 18 partners; each of whom has developed specific expertise; often with experience as a C-level executive; as in France. Thanks to this strong team; we will be able to deliver on our promise of creating "Value through Insight" more than ever in the coming year. The Belgian client portfolio includes names from a wide range of sectors; including retail (e.g. Decathlon); media (e.g. JCDecaux); finance (e.g. Bank Degroof Petercam); industry (e.g. Knauf); IT services (e.g. Cegeka); healthcare (e.g. Armonea) and non-profit organizations (e.g. the King Baudouin Foundation).
