About
- René Pigot is a Partner at Accuracy. He advises corporate boards, management teams, investors and public authorities on strategic investment and financial decisions in infrastructure-intensive sectors, particularly telecoms, energy and retail.
René speaks French, English and German.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree, HEC Paris
- Master’s degree in engineering, Ecole Centrale Lille
In-depth expertise
René supports clients on high-stakes projects combining strategy and finance, including strategic planning, business plan modelling, valuation, synergy assessment and investment analysis. He has particular expertise in large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, advising clients on investment decisions, pricing strategies and long-term market developments, notably in the context of the energy transition.
René also acts as an economic and financial expert in complex disputes. He assists claimants and defendants in the assessment and quantification of damages arising from contractual disputes, competition law infringements and intellectual property matters, and has provided expert evidence before courts and regulatory authorities.
Example of engagements
Energy & infrastructure
- Strategic assessment of the cost model of the French State’s EPR2 nuclear programme, supporting government decisions on the financing and economic framework of France’s next-generation nuclear fleet, with conclusions cited by the French Supreme Audit Institution.
- Review on behalf of the French Government of EDF’s financial exposure to the Sizewell C project in the context of changes in the project’s ownership structure.
- Support in the development of a MOX fuel facility, advising on strategic partnerships and industry value creation.
- Due diligence on several renewable energy producers (solar- wind- biomass-based) to assist investors in acquisition and growth financing decisions.
- Development of a financial model for West African infrastructure projects (water and power networks) in preparation for a group IPO.
- Review of the business models of energy storage market players as part of the evaluation of a potential disruptive technology and its monetisation.
- Economic modelling for a major LNG market player in the context of an inquiry from a competition authority.
Telecom
- Advised telecom operators (MNOs and fixed-line providers) across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East on large-scale strategic transactions, including M&A, IPOs, and market entry initiatives across B2C and B2B markets.
- Strategic and financial planning relative to the deployment of a telecommunications transmission infrastructure in Africa in the context of a capital raise.
- Support to a fibre infrastructure operator in assessing its long-term financial trajectory, including sensitivity analysis.
- Economic and financial expert in many litigation cases (including unfair handset subsidies, alleged national roaming restrictions, undisclosed consumer credit, discriminatory maintenance of the copper network, deployment delay of the fibre network, etc.).
Retail
- Assistance in the design of several multi-billion joint purchasing agreements between major food and grocery retailers and assessment of expected synergies.
- Assessment of catchment areas and related competition risks for a large retailer before the French competition authority in connection with a landmark transaction (acquisition of 300 points of sale).
- Economic and financial expert in the context of private enforcement proceedings relative to various cartels (decommissioning and nuclear waste treatment services, laundry detergents, home and personal care products, packaged flour, truck industry, fresh milk products, etc.) and assessment of related damages.
- Economic and financial expert in the context of an inquiry by the European Commission, suspecting anti-competitive behaviour.