How likely is MF/UMM PE from a BB in London if you ONLY speak English?
Guessing almost impossible unless UK based fund?
Thoughts would be greatly appreciated - thanks a lot!
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Hard to put a %, harder but for sure not impossible. If you go to GS/JPM/MS you can work your way in more easily. Have a look on LinkedIn and you will find UK people at many top funds. You've got to remember, there seems to be a higher number of Europeans than UK people in IBD M&A roles, which leads to more PE associates with euro backgrounds. Obvs harder for funds that require languages, but I've met a few British MDs who work at some of the largest funds in London and started in audit (lol). Problem is, most of these guys went to Eton or Harrow
Thanks a lot for this! Is it only elite tier BBs that facilitate the move? How about mid tier ones or EBs?
Why is M&A IB dominated by Europeans if you don’t mind me asking? Simply because London attracts all of Europe’s talent pool?
Bocconi/HEC folks model LBO in their sleep. That's why.
Languages are pretty important tbh, and get more important as you get more senior and start to lead deals and eventually source / originate.
Even in the large-cap space you will find that deals done in Europe have process and legal documentation in the local language, management teams who can't or prefer not to speak English, as well as cultural / social barriers for non-natives. It's more stark in some sectors and countries than others - e.g. a Healthcare deal in France that requires a native deal team to navigate local institutions and bureaucracy vs. a Tech deal in the Nordics where there are fewer such barriers and people are comfortable speaking English.
Got it - thanks for taking the time to write this!
Probably a good chance if you're at a top BB or a strong BB group. But like other commenters, MF and UMM PE is dominated by European Masters Students in London. These European Masters Students have at least 1 Summer at top EB/BB in Milan, Paris or Frankfurt under their belt, then go onto a Masters at LBS/Bocconi/HEC etc. Given the Euro-centric approach of PE in London, it makes sense that a lot of their intake his highly specific at targeting people with Euro backgrounds or ability to speak another language. That said, if you're good enough, you're certainly good enough regardless of language to break in. It may be dependent on certain group cultures, if certain groups have British seniors or a British Banking culture, then language will be negligible.
Would you say a HEC master student has any advantage on a LSE bachelor student ? Seems like they follow the same path but one wasted 2 years
Would be glad to be proved otherwise
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