Matthieu Roussellier
Managing Director
London
Matthieu Roussellier is a London-based Managing Director at Prosek with significant experience in advising private markets businesses and investment firms on all aspects of their communications and brand building.
He joined from PAI Partners, the France-headquartered global private equity firm, where he became their first Head of Communications in charge of all communications, marketing and branding. Prior to that, he spent a number of years advising UK, European and global investment firms at Greenbrook Communications. Other previous roles include communications and marketing positions at Latham & Watkins, the global law firm, and Permira, the global investment firm. As a French national with more than 25 years of presence in the UK, Matthieu has developed particularly strong expertise in leading pan-European communications and branding programs.
Matthieu holds a Master’s Degree (MPhil) in Political Science from the University of Oxford. He also studied at King’s College London, the London School of Economics and Sciences-Po Paris.
He is fluent in French and English and conversational in Spanish.
Q & A
What are you most proud of in your career?
Seeing some of the people I helped hire and train become some of the most well-rounded and best communications professionals in the industry!
Name one thing most people don’t know about you.
I was once a member of French football team Paris Saint-Germain’s most boisterous fan club.
How would your mother describe you?
She once compared me to Christopher McCandless, the real-life character of ‘Into the Wild’. Which goes a long way to show how rebellious she thinks I am (I am not!).
What are your greatest strengths as a communications practitioner?
I like to think that I am a good listener, very diplomatic (it helps that my parents were diplomats!) and empathetic. Not sure how you can be a good communications practitioner without those attributes?
What is your favourite food?
Comfort food generally (steak/frites anyone?)
Describe your perfect client.
Accessible, open-minded and responsive! Nothing beats the feeling that your advice is needed and valued.
What three hobbies or activities do you enjoy most?
Spending time with my family, travelling (failing that, watching adventure and travel shows!) and sports generally (football most particularly)!
What’s your favourite part of the workday?
Drinking my skinny flat white in the morning i.e. when my brain is at its most active!
Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
While I can’t pretend to be even a tenth as adventurous as Chris McCandless was (maybe a ‘couch’ version), it will certainly please my mum if I say Emile Hirsch (who played Chris’ role in ‘Into the Wild’).
What is your favourite quote?
“Happiness is only real when shared” (can you spot an ‘Into the Wild’ theme yet?)