Groupe Premium
A Holistic Approach to Financial Decision-Making

In a market inundated with numerous plans for retirement, the role of an insurance broker cannot be understated. Recent changes to France’s pension policy have put retirement issues at the heart of people’s concerns as the quality and accessibility of state-provided pensions is declining.

The landscape is shifting toward a more independent model of retirement planning, a rarity in the French socio-economic landscape. The need is for an insurance broker that can provide invaluable guidance and expertise, helping individuals plan for retirement in serenity.

Groupe Premium, a wealth management specialist, draws 24 years in the industry to take the stage as a major market player in the French insurance space. Pairing retirement planning with asset management and wealth management advice positions it as a prime distributor of life insurance and pension plans for individuals and self-employed professionals. A network of 1,400 collaborators and partners bolsters its services, while a team of highly trained advisors facilitates an exquisite customer experience.

An empowering company culture fosters the success of its excellent team in insurance planning. Central to its ethos are three fundamental ethics—human values, meritocracy, and innovation, fostering a strong organisational culture that is key to offering exceptional customer service.

“We are deeply convinced that everyone should receive quality advice, regardless of their wealth,” says Olivier Farouz, founding president of Groupe Premium.

Specialised Support in Financial Planning

Groupe Premium was founded in 2000 by Olivier Farouz. Over the years, it has experienced exponential growth, a direct result of its commitment to product quality and adherence to environmental, social, and governance principles.

Contrary to the notion that success is the achievement of a select few, Groupe Premium believes the collective contribution of every active individual within the organisation defines triumph. In a remarkable gesture in 2018, Olivier Farouz decided to open the capital of the company and share it with its collaborators and partners. In 2023, more than 350 collaborators and partners are sharing the company’s capital alongside Eurazeo, Blacksone and Montefiore Investment, a decision that has proven highly successful for the last five years.

This distribution has positively impacted the lives of many employees and underscores the founder’s belief that the organisation’s success is intrinsically tied to the well-being and prosperity of its entire workforce and their steadfast adherence to core ethics.

The value-based approach is also upheld by its three activities, each providing a complementary service: brokerage, asset management and wealth management consultancy. Capfinances, led by Didier and Laurent Zerbib, and Predictis, led by Emmanuel Bouriez, operate in retirement wealth management consultancy, life and pension insurance brokerage; Flornoy-Ferri assists in asset management; I-Kapital is a structured product broker, and Premium CGP operates in wealth management consultancy. The group also partners with reputable entities like Swiss Life, Abeille Assurance and Groupama Gan Vie.

Products like “Plan d’épargne retraite” (PER, meaning retirement savings plan) are a notable trend among Groupe Premium’s customer base. Widely recognized as an outstanding offer across Europe, PER is crucial in assisting French individuals preparing for their retirement, combining elements of life insurance and real estate investments.

Through tailored consultations, the group helps customers sign up for these programs. It delivers high-quality advice through a network of highly specialised financial advisors who undergo extensive training to ensure they are well-equipped to guide customers through the complexities of retirement planning. The group places great importance on maintaining close customer proximity and fostering a strong relationship with its clients.

This sustained support provided by its financial advisors is a critical aspect contributing to the company’s success.

A quality advice consultation in choosing the right plan for every customer is Groupe Premium’s most valued offer and is provided as part of the initial contract. Clients don’t have to pay for this consultation as it is included in the contract fee, which is one of the lowest in the market thanks to Groupe Premium’s successful collaborations with life insurance companies and partners. It all ascertains the fact that the focus is not solely on traditional wealth management but also on ensuring that individuals, regardless of their financial standing, receive equitable guidance.

“Our goal is to have a mass affluent approach because we believe that all individuals should have access to the same level of advice, regardless of their financial capacity,” says Olivier Farouz.

A Saga of Strategic Expansion

Maintaining a proactive approach is an integral part of Groupe Premium’s strategy. Unlike traditional banks, it doesn’t wait for customers—its specialised team reaches out to them in the comfort of their homes. The team seeks to ensure customers and their families understand the scope of financial decisions.

This customer-centric approach is one of Groupe Premium’s defining features, with a robust referral system fuelling new business. Satisfied customers become ambassadors, driving the customer base’s growth. Regular customer follow-ups by financial advisors serve not only to maintain satisfaction but also to glean insights into market needs.

The ability to adapt to market needs has been crucial in the group’s evolution throughout the years. A few vital moments in the group’s trajectory include the 2018 acquisition by Montefiore Investment, the partnership with Eurazeo as a shareholder in 2021, and with Blackstone in December 2023.

After all these achievements in France, the aspiration is to now replicate these milestones across Europe, with a particular emphasis on Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium, identified as Groupe Premium’s upcoming targets. The forthcoming years will be dedicated to pursuing this objective. The group envisions expanding from 32 to 100 agencies in France and increasing the salesforce from 1,400 to 5,000 workers. Its wealth management business aims to broaden its territorial coverage within France and to diversify its activities by developing its position in other sectors such as real estate, personal protection, and legal protection in the coming years.

Navigating the complexities of retirement planning with empathy, Groupe Premium stands as a beacon of unwavering commitment to ethical practices and customer-centricity, charting a course to revolutionise the French life insurance landscape and beyond.