About

About the office

Wautier Family Office believes well-governed, owner-led businesses create more durable value than markets typically price. We believe governance is the most underrated variable in long-term investment performance, and that capital without ideas is sterile. This is why we write regularly in Les Échos and Project Syndicate, teach at Sciences Po Paris, and engage seriously in policy debates that will determine the future of European capitalism.

In addition to our strategic investing and educational supports, our philanthropic ventures are equally deliberate. We support the acceleration of science that will one day restore movement to people living with spinal cord injuries through our leadership of SCI Ventures’ Investment Committee and our presence on Aspire’s Board of Trustees.

Our Values

Our office is guided by five values: honesty, courage, empathy, humility, and integrity. These didn’t originate in a boardroom. They were written for our children when they were young enough that we still had to explain what they meant. When our eldest child was a teenager, the six of us sat down together and turned them into a family charter. We signed a copy. We each still have one.

The meaning in these documents was never intended for a website, but when it came time to articulate what Wautier Family Office stands for, there was no point starting from scratch. The values that guide how we invest, govern, give, and write are the same ones we asked our children to live by.

Honesty

We say what we think, even when it may be unwelcome. In investment committees, boardrooms, and classrooms alike, the most valuable contribution is usually an uncomfortable truth stated clearly. Candor isn’t aggression; it’s respect for the other people across the table.

Courage

Conviction without the willingness to act on it is just analysis. We form views independently, hold them under pressure, and accept that the most lucrative decisions rarely look comfortable at the moment of commitment. This applies to investment theses, governance positions, and public arguments about the future of European capitalism.

Humility

Twenty-five years at the top of institutional private equity taught us that markets are humbling by design. We keep our own counsel, decline to put our name on buildings, and measure success by outcomes rather than recognition. Impact over ego, in philanthropy and investing, is a deliberate choice, not an accident of temperament.

Empathy

Capital isn’t abstract. It touches companies, careers, patients, and students. We invest time in understanding the perspectives of founders under pressure, scientists navigating regulatory uncertainty, and young people for whom an educational opportunity is genuinely life-changing. Better decisions come from that understanding, and so does better governance.

Integrity.

We behave consistently whether anyone is watching or not. That means the same standards in a board vote as in a private conversation. The same rigor in philanthropic investments as in a commercial one. And the same intellectual honesty in a published op-ed as in an internal memo. Reputation is long; shortcuts are short.

Jean-Baptiste Wautier, Founder

Jean-Baptiste (JB) Wautier is a distinguished figure in the financial sector, known for his extensive experience in private equity, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), board governance, and corporate finance. JB currently serves as an Independent Director for Pershing Square Holdings (PSH: LN) and Howard Hughes Holdings (HHH: US), two industry-leading organizations. At PSH, he contributes to one of the world’s most prominent investment vehicles, known for its shareholder activism and long-term focus, bringing his financial acumen to high-stakes governance. At HHH, he supports a company redefining modern American living through transformative real estate developments across the U.S. These roles, alongside one of the most prominent and respected investors, Bill Ackman, underscore JB’s influence at the highest levels of strategic oversight and corporate leadership. Additionally, JB serves as a Council Member of The Wall Street Journal Board of Directors Council, a network of global board leaders who share insights and shape governance trends across industries. As a board member and chairman of WFO’s several portfolio companies, he steers them toward rapid growth and long-term value creation. His strategic oversight and industry expertise are pivotal in navigating the complexities of the global consumer market. JB’s hands-on approach ensures that these companies not only thrive but also set benchmarks in their respective domains.

Claudine Wautier, Co-Founder

Claudine Wautier co-founded Wautier Family Office with her husband, Jean-Baptiste, in 2024. Claudine combines serial entrepreneurship with a true passion and deep understanding of the fashion industry. Born in France but with a strong Italian heritage, she created her first company when she was 18 and, since then, has embarked on four consecutive business creations, which all ended up being very successful in the beauty, fashion, and financial sectors. Mother of four, she has been living in London for the last 15 years but spends a lot of her time traveling to Italy, France, and the U.S. Currently, Claudine is director and special advisor to one of WFO’s portfolio company, Gedebe, where she is instrumental in supporting the company’s long-term objectives, focusing on strengthening the corporate and financial structure guiding high-level strategic decisions, and identifying untapped opportunities for value creation. Her leadership and strategic foresight are fundamental in building a solid, scalable foundation for the future. This partnership marks a definitive step in Gedebe’s evolution, reinforcing the brand’s financial and corporate infrastructure and sharpening its competitive edge.

Rob Fuller, Operations Manager

After a long and successful career in the hospitality industry, Rob started assisting Claudine and Jean-Baptiste in 2016, before he became Wautier Family Office Operations Manager upon its foundation in 2024. Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Family Office, he ensures efficiency and the highest standards. Rob provides support with financial and administrative processes, as well as high-level executive and lifestyle support to the family in both business and personal affairs. This includes managing complex travel arrangements, coordinating calendars, and handling logistics across multiple time zones. Rob regularly interacts with portfolio companies, liaises with external providers, and builds strong relationships with third-party agencies whilst maintaining complete discretion, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Iveta Michael, Executive Assistant

Iveta is an experienced executive assistant with over 10 years of experience providing high-level personal and professional support within corporate and Family Office environments. Holding a bachelor’s degree in business administration, she joined WFO in 2025 and specializes in managing complex diaries, coordinating international travel, and ensuring the seamless day-to-day running of both personal and business affairs. Her role includes liaising with professional advisers, organizing bespoke holidays, meetings, and events, supporting special projects, handling communication and PR, and acting as a trusted point of contact with discretion and professionalism. Iveta is dedicated to delivering exceptional support within the fast-paced Wautier Family Office environment.