PARIS, September 16, 2026 – Livingstone, the international mid-market M&A and debt advisory firm, today announced its expansion into France through the addition of the Paris team of DDA & Company, led by Partners Alexandre Odin and Alain Sitbon. The Paris office becomes Livingstone’s 15th office globally and further strengthens the firm’s presence across Europe.
DDA & Company LLC in the United States remains a separate and independent business and is unaffiliated with the transaction.
An Established French Mid-Market M&A Platform
Alexandre Odin established DDA & Company’s Paris office in 2002, with Alain Sitbon joining the firm in 2017. Today, the team comprises 15 professionals who advise entrepreneurs, owner-managers and financial investors on sell-side and buy-side M&A, leveraged buyouts, and financings across France and internationally.
The Paris team completes 15 to 20 transactions annually, primarily across the lower middle market, with typical transaction values ranging from €10 million to €200 million. The Paris team has developed particular expertise across technology, software and IT services, marketing and media, electronics, business services and selected industrial markets.
Recent transactions include the sale of Operis to Total Specific Solutions, part of listed Canadian software group Constellation Software; LeHibou’s acquisition of Belgium-based Afarax; the sale of Dupont-Lewis to Black & Gold; and the sale of Spas Organization, an organizer of exhibitions focused on the organic and wellness sectors, to Reworld Media.
The team also maintains long-standing relationships with clients pursuing international buy-and-build strategies. The team has advised Steliau Technology on multiple acquisitions, including Acal BFi, Evoke, Martinsson and Inelco Hunter, these last four acquired in 2026 among a total of 16th deal since its 2024 LBO sponsored by Astorg Partners, and has supported software company Graitec on 24 acquisitions across 12 countries since 2007.
Strengthening Livingstone’s International Reach
The addition of a Paris office expands Livingstone to more than 155 professionals across 15 offices in Europe, the United States and Asia. The firm annually completes more than 85 transactions across transactions valued between €25 million and €500 million, with approximately 60% crossing borders.
Livingstone operates as an integrated, sector-focused international M&A and debt advisory firm, combining deep local market expertise with global sector knowledge and buyer, investor and financing relationships. Each office is locally led while collaborating closely across borders on behalf of clients. The addition of the Paris team represents an important step in Livingstone’s continued development of a global, sector-driven advisory platform focused on entrepreneurs, privately held businesses and private equity investors in the mid-market.
As part of Livingstone, Alexandre Odin, Alain Sitbon and their team will continue to serve clients while gaining access to the firm’s broader international sector expertise and global reach. The combination is intended to accelerate the French team’s growth and establish Livingstone as a leading mid-market M&A advisor in France. For Livingstone’s global clients, the new Paris presence provides an additional gateway into the French market and strengthens access to local strategic buyers and the French financial sponsor community; for French clients, it creates broader access to international buyers, investors and acquisition opportunities across Livingstone’s global network. Livingstone’s new Paris office is located on Rue d’Anjou in Paris’ 8th arrondissement, providing the team with a central base from which to serve the French market and collaborate with colleagues across Europe, North America and Asia.
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“The M&A advisory market is consolidating. Scale and the ability to operate internationally increasingly influence the choices made by our clients and their financial partners. Joining Livingstone Partners allows us to draw on an international network while preserving what has always set us apart: our independence, combined with close, long-term support alongside company leaders”, so Alexandre Odin, Partner at Livingstone, Paris.
“We have always championed a rigorous approach to M&A advisory, on both the buy side and the sell side. Our philosophy is ALL-IN: full commitment to every mandate, a constant presence alongside our clients, and genuine trust. Beyond team size, what matters today is reputation and market presence – joining Livingstone gives us that firepower”, so Alain Sitbon, Partner at Livingstone, Paris.
“We are delighted to welcome Alexandre, Alain and the entire Paris team to Livingstone. They have built an impressive M&A platform in France, underpinned by strong sector expertise, long-standing client relationships and a highly committed approach to execution. Importantly, there is a strong cultural alignment between our firms. France is an important M&A market and a natural addition to Livingstone’s international platform. We look forward to working alongside our new colleagues to build a leading French mid-market advisory business”, said Ralph Hagelgans, Partner, Düsseldorf, and Andrew Isgrig, Partner, Chicago, both Chairmen, Livingstone International Holdings LLC.
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About Alexandre Odin
Alexandre Odin began his career in the UK, in the IT industry, at GSI Facilities Management. In 1994, he joined the Paris office of Regent Associates, an investment bank specializing in M&A in information technology, where he worked exclusively on ICT deals, more than 90% of which were cross-border. In early 2001, he joined the corporate finance department of Bryan, Garnier & Co. In 2002, he opened DDA & Company’s Paris office. Alexandre has proven expertise in cross-border transactions. He operates across new technologies: software publishing, IT services companies (ESN), media, business services and healthcare. In 2019, CFNews ranked him among the top 10 tech investment bankers in France. Alexandre holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems and a postgraduate DEA in Management Science. He is a graduate of Toulouse Business School.
About Alain Sitbon
Alain Sitbon began his career in industry, at the CarnaudMetalbox group, one of the world’s leading packaging companies. In 1995, he joined Deloitte as an auditor, before specializing in M&A within the Corporate Finance team. In 2000, he moved into entrepreneurship: first with an online training service, then with a specialist retail chain, in which a major player took a stake in 2006. Since 2007, Alain has worked as a small-mid cap investment banker. He has proven expertise in cross-border transactions and operates across B2B and B2C distribution, niche industries, and business services including marketing, communications and consulting. Alain is a graduate of Paris-Dauphine University.
