Published: January 12, 2026
The former Citi banker will advise on healthcare transactions, at a time when Stifel seeks to grow its stature in the sector.
In September 2025, US investment bank Stifel announced that Jean-Baptiste Didier had been appointed as a managing director. Didier, who joins the firm in its new Paris office, is part of the Healthcare Investment Banking team, where he specialises in pharmaceuticals, life sciences and healthcare services.
A storied investment banker, Didier had spent the previous five years at Citigroup, where he served as head of sponsor coverage in France. Before that, he spent ten years at JP Morgan as executive director. He accrued significant healthcare experience in both roles, advising on large-cap transactions across medical labs, private hospitals and more. Most recently, he played a role in CD&R’s €15bn acquisition of a 50% stake in Opella, Sanofi’s consumer healthcare division. This was the largest leveraged buyout ever completed in France.
Didier says he was attracted to Stifel because of its sector expertise and client-focused approach – an approach that has translated into Stifel continuing to grow its market share.
“In an environment where clients of all sizes tend to be more global by nature, a lot of banks still apply a legacy coverage matrix between countries and sectors in Europe,” he tells EMEA Finance. “This is less relevant as it dilutes content quality and banker responsibility vis-a-vis his or her clients. I spent 15+ years in very large US banks, so I feel well equipped to work in a global financial institution like Stifel and partner with my colleagues in all geographies to deliver the full platform and the best outcome to our clients.”
A flurry of deals
Following the acquisition of Paris-based boutique Bryan Garnier last year, Stifel has become a name to be reckoned with on both sides of the Atlantic. The firm has added 160 new bankers to its Paris team, including 33 managing directors, and has boosted its credentials in the healthcare and technology space.
Together, Stifel and Bryan Garnier have advised on more than 200 healthcare transactions since 2020. Notable transactions last year included the sale of VISUfarma to Lupin for around US$200mn.
“VISUfarma had transformed into a real pan-European player,” explains Didier. “The seller, GHO Capital Partners, wanted a financial advisor capable of bringing potential buyers, sponsors and corporates from all geographies in a well-crafted process. These included Lupin, an Indian strategic buyer.”