Coverage IB to Secondaries PE?

I am very interested in joining the secondaries space since it seems like there is a lot of potential to grow. How possible would it be to move from Coverage IB (at a BB) to secondaries PE? The plan is to get some deal experience, but I doubt I will get direct experience with secondary deals (LP or GP). Obviously, PCA banking would be the easiest way to swap over, but how possible is coverage banking?

3 Comments
 

Definitely possible. Secondary funds are typically less particular on background. I've seen juniors with backgrounds in FOF/IB/direct PE/Big 4 TS. Some funds actually prefer bankers, especially for funds that do a lot more GP-leds and for the large funds. I would say background is typically like this:

Large funds (Lexington, Blackstone SP, etc.) - many ex-bankers, some FOF, some directs

Mid sized to smaller funds - much more variable, many roles are fair game. Some like Big 4 TS in particular because of strong accounting knowledge.

If you have deal experience involving PE sponsors you're pretty set already - fit wise you'll have to come up with a good story on why secondaries rather than direct PE but if you're genuinely interested you will be seriously considered everywhere.

 

Would my chances be better if I lateraled to a PCA then went for secondaries? Or just from coverage?

 

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