Since ADVENT announced the upcoming departure of CEO, Stephanie DiMarco, from the company she founded 30 years ago, I thought it would worth pulling out this interview which she gave in May of last year. In it she describes the founding and subsequent growth of the company she started aged 23.

You might also be interested in this Wall Street & Tech interview with her which was published today.

Why did you decide to step down?

DiMarco: Advent was coming up on our 30-year anniversary, and I am proud of the fact that we are a technology company that remained independent. We've had our ups and downs but to have that longevity has been unusual in the technology world.

Advent is an important company for the asset management industry. We are independent, and we focus on one thing: making our customers successful. So it's important to me that we have that legacy. But a company has to evolve and change and live beyond its founder. When I came back in 2003 -- when I hadn't been so successful in the succession -- I felt it was important to get it right the second time. [Ed. note: DiMarco left Advent in 1999 believing that it was time to allow someone else to lead the company. After the company lost money for the first time, in 2003, the board asked her to return.] I was fortunate to have a candidate in Pete to mentor. He has grown so much in the various roles.