Release of a manifesto putting employee share ownership back at the heart of the debate

Shares for the Brave!

Paris, 9 February 2026 – “Shares for the Brave!” is a new book advocating employee share ownership, offering a fresh and timely perspective on a mechanism increasingly seen as key to addressing today’s business challenges. Drawing on first-hand testimonials from company leaders, the book sheds light on employee share ownership at a time when SME succession, value sharing and talent retention have become critical economic and social issues.

Published by La Sirène aux Yeux Verts, Shares for the Brave presents a pragmatic and engaged analysis of employee share ownership. The book brings together the combined insights of Jean-Philippe Debas, Christophe Deldycke and Olivier Renault, three recognised experts in business succession, who challenge persistent misconceptions surrounding capital sharing and explore the evolving role of employees within companies.

Against a backdrop of growing succession pressures, heightened expectations for employee recognition and ongoing recruitment difficulties, the authors argue that employee share ownership can serve as a concrete lever for performance, employee engagement and long-term value creation—provided it is carefully structured and implemented.

The book also addresses the main obstacles often associated with employee share ownership, including fears of loss of control, legal complexity and concerns around business transmission. Through practical examples and real-life testimonials, Shares for the Brave offers a clear and accessible overview of the conditions required for successful implementation, giving a voice to SME and mid-cap company leaders who have adopted such schemes and are now experiencing their benefits.

The authors draw on extensive, hands-on experience in business succession and capital structuring.

• Jean-Philippe Debas is Chairman of Equalis Capital, a leading player in employee share ownership and the French market leader in the management of employee share ownership funds for non-listed companies.
• Christophe Deldycke, Chairman of Turenne Groupe, has been supporting French SMEs for over 25 years throughout their development and succession processes.
• Olivier Renault is Managing Partner of Lamartine Conseil, a leading French law firm specialising in business succession advisory.

Illustrations by GABS, a press cartoonist and illustrator, bring a light and accessible tone to a subject often perceived as highly technical.

Practical information

Publication date: January 2026
Length: 80 pages
ISBN: 978-2-38296-029-5
Price: €13

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