Olivier Abtan to lead AlixPartners in France as Catherine Sherwin focuses on EMEA role

After more than six years leading the Paris office of AlixPartners, Catherine Sherwin has handed over the national leadership role to Olivier Abtan.

“Since joining three years ago, Olivier has made a significant contribution to our office, our teams and our clients. His experience in major transformation programmes, his deep understanding of technology-related challenges and his energy will be invaluable as we build on the strong momentum we have established in Paris,” said Sherwin.

Established in 2006, AlixPartners has a team of more than 100 professionals in Paris with expertise across aerospace & defense, retail, luxury, automotive, private equity, healthcare, and technology, media, and telecommunications. Under Sherwin’s leadership, the office has roughly doubled its revenue.

“Oliver will lead the next stage of our growth journey in the French market,” said Sherwin. “I am confident that he will successfully continue to grow our business and support our clients with the rigor and commitment to excellence that define AlixPartners.”

Following the leadership transition, Sherwin will focus fully on her role as Co-Head of EMEA, a position she took on last year. She will remain based in Paris.

A Partner & Managing Director within the Luxury, Consumer Goods & Retail practice, Abtan brings nearly 30 years of international strategy consulting experience to the role. He previously held senior roles at Publicis Sapient (2020–2023), Boston Consulting Group (2008–2019) and Roland Berger (2004–2008) and served on the Board of Directors of Balmain from 2021 to 2024.

In his client work, he advises on large-scale transformation, digitalization and AI implementation.

“It is a great honor to take on the leadership of the Paris office,” said Abtan. “Our objective remains the same: to stand alongside our clients in an era defined by disruption and uncertainty, and help them capitalize on opportunity.”