We partner with entrepreneurs to shape what comes next and build lasting industry leaders
Guarda was founded by entrepreneurs who share a passion for building and developing businesses.
What we do
We partner with entrepreneurs and management teams to strengthen leading service businesses and help them grow.
Our role goes well beyond succession. We help build strong management teams, digitalize operations, sharpen commercial capabilities, integrate complementary businesses and put in place the structures needed for the next stage of growth.
We do this without losing sight of what made the business successful in the first place: its identity, culture and entrepreneurial spirit.
Our role goes well beyond succession. We help build strong management teams, digitalize operations, sharpen commercial capabilities, integrate complementary businesses and put in place the structures needed for the next stage of growth.
We do this without losing sight of what made the business successful in the first place: its identity, culture and entrepreneurial spirit.
How we support businesses
Succession & transition - We shape succession solutions around the entrepreneur and the business. Founders can stay involved in the way that suits them best - operationally, strategically or as shareholders.
Management & organization - We strengthen management teams, build the next layer of leadership and put in place the structures the business needs for its next stage.
Management & organization - We strengthen management teams, build the next layer of leadership and put in place the structures the business needs for its next stage.
Digitalization & capabilities - We help build capabilities that are often hard to develop alone - from digital marketing and systems to finance and data-driven processes.
Strategic growth - We work with management to strengthen market positions, enter new areas and turn growth opportunities into concrete initiatives.
Integration - When it makes strategic sense, we identify and integrate complementary businesses that make the company stronger and open up new opportunities.
Strategic growth - We work with management to strengthen market positions, enter new areas and turn growth opportunities into concrete initiatives.
Integration - When it makes strategic sense, we identify and integrate complementary businesses that make the company stronger and open up new opportunities.
Our focus
Entrepreneur-led businesses - Established service businesses with strong market positions and room to grow.
Succession situations - Owners looking for a trusted partner to secure continuity and shape what comes next.
Growth opportunities - Businesses that can benefit from stronger teams, digitalization, new capabilities or complementary acquisitions.
Shared ambitions - We work best with entrepreneurs and management teams who think long term and value continuity, trust and active partnership.
Succession situations - Owners looking for a trusted partner to secure continuity and shape what comes next.
Growth opportunities - Businesses that can benefit from stronger teams, digitalization, new capabilities or complementary acquisitions.
Shared ambitions - We work best with entrepreneurs and management teams who think long term and value continuity, trust and active partnership.
Founding partners
Jonathan Wynne
Jonathan has worked in education since 2008. Before co-founding Vantage Education, he spent six years at Nord Anglia Education, leading more than 30 acquisitions and new developments across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. He also held operational roles, including Regional Managing Director for Switzerland and Integration Director. At Vantage Education, he helped build and scale a multi-institution platform. He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from EPFL.
Nicolas Faivre
Nicolas has spent much of his career alongside entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses. He started in investment banking at Credit Suisse before co-founding Helvetica Capital in Zurich. He later co-founded Vantage Education, where he helped build and scale the platform, acquire and integrate acquisitions, improve operational and financial performance, and work at board level across the group. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from HEC Lausanne.
Guarda was founded by entrepreneurs with hands-on experience building businesses through growth, integration and transition. A central part of that journey was co-founding and building Vantage Education over seven years.
Building Vantage Education
We co-founded Vantage Education and spent the following seven years building it from three independent higher-education institutions into an integrated platform of 14 brands.
We built the entire management team and second leadership layer, put succession plans in place for each of the ten acquisitions, and built the operating platform across marketing, sales, finance, HR, IT and academic functions. Along the way, we drove digitalization, improved performance and integrated the businesses without losing the identity and strengths of each institution.
Vantage Education is a leading Swiss higher-education platform with more than 15,000 students across 14 institutions.
We built the entire management team and second leadership layer, put succession plans in place for each of the ten acquisitions, and built the operating platform across marketing, sales, finance, HR, IT and academic functions. Along the way, we drove digitalization, improved performance and integrated the businesses without losing the identity and strengths of each institution.
Vantage Education is a leading Swiss higher-education platform with more than 15,000 students across 14 institutions.
News
