A clear purpose has been fundamental to dss+, a leading health and safety management consultancy, since its carve-out from DuPont in 2019. CEO Davide Vassallo explains to Inflexion that the dedication and talent of its people are at the core of this journey.
A committed management team with a clear vision for the future led the endeavour. “The carve-out wasn’t about being pushed into a corner or a lack of other options,” Davide explains. “It was about choosing to step forward, taking control, and aligning our actions with our mission.”
The business chose to partner with Inflexion in 2023. Davide welcomed the investment house as “a firm with a complementary purpose-driven culture.” Having worked with over 120 different businesses, Inflexion deeply understands how critical people are to any success. As such they have built a Talent team dedicated to helping portfolio companies design stronger organisations, build better boards and management teams, create effective performance management and incentives, and improve overall organisational health.
Leading with purpose
Financial performance, while important, is viewed not as the strategy but as a byproduct of doing well financially whilst doing business for good. with its new independence, dss+ redefined its mission, which Davide describes as “saving lives and making the future more sustainable.” He adds, “If we don’t take this seriously, we fail our purpose, and the consequences can be dire. Purpose drives everything we do.”
Collaborate and listen
Leadership played a vital role in the success of the carve-out and subsequent growth. However, as dss+ evolved, so did the demands on its leadership team. Davide highlights the importance of recognising and adapting to these changes:
To succeed in setting up a global organisation, you need different skills at different times. The team that led the carve-out was excellent, and as the business grew, new opportunities required fresh perspectives. It requires a very dynamic approach to leadership.
Inflexion invested in dss+ in early 2023, and Davide says the backer’s collaborative approach to leadership development has been vital. “Inflexion didn’t make decisions for us; instead, they worked with us to build a high‑performing team”. Their focus on collective performance, rather than solely identifying standout individuals, ensured that dss+ could align its leadership capabilities with its growth ambitions. “This is where you make or break a company,” he remarks.
Focus on your people
Since its independence, dss+ has completed seven acquisitions, three of which occurred under Inflexion’s ownership. These acquisitions were not merely financial transactions but strategic moves to enhance capabilities. Davide emphasises, “We acquire for strategic value, not just EBITDA. It’s about creating something together that neither party could achieve alone.”
Integration is approached with respect and collaboration. “Each team we acquire brings its own legacy, culture, and beliefs,” says Davide. “We’ve learned the importance of transparent communication and cultural education to avoid diluting our values, while embracing the strengths of new members. It means we import some better practices rather than being prescriptive of dss+ culture.” This focus on mutual respect ensures both parties grow stronger together.
Lead with purpose
Operating in 40 countries and reaching 80, dss+ has a global DNA focused on sustainability since inception 50 years ago – well before any firms were embracing this narrative. The strong megaphones of larger competitors make attracting talent challenging for dss+, but once candidates are aware of the firm, getting them over the line is straightforward. “dss+ prioritises genuine values, attracting talent inspired by its mission to do well financially while doing good for society. Balancing both is a leadership responsibility, delivering impact and legacy through honesty, engagement, and long term purpose,” Davide enthuses. Indeed its enhanced focus on ESG helps attract people and get them truly involved.
dss+ fosters a culture that inspires its people and delivers financial success as a natural outcome, and this makes Davide confident the firm’s future growth will remain underpinned by its mission. “We are here to create impact and value, aligning financial results with a business that does good,” he states.
Maintaining a strong culture and offering attractive incentives are pivotal for long term success and competitiveness – and this can be challenging in an industry where employees frequently move between firms.
The success of professional services businesses is intrinsically linked to the capabilities of its people, so attracting and retaining top talent is critical.
Inflexion focuses on helping portfolio companies design stronger organisations, build better boards and management teams, create effective performance management and incentives, and improve overall organisational health.
Each investment, regardless of size or stake, has full access to Inflexion’s value acceleration support which includes international expansion, M&A, digital enhancement, talent management, commercial effectiveness and ESG strategy.
