How to exit from continental European hub to LDN PE?

I am at a MBB in Germany. We send a lot of people to PE every year. However, I'd say ~90% place into local offices (i.e. Waterland MUC/HAM, Permira Frankfurt, Cinven Frankfurt, Montagu Frankfurt). 

On Linkedin I see several continental Europeans with MBB background in their homecountry who now work in PE LDN (a lot of BainCap but also H&F). 

Q.: How does one accomplish that? Is it only headhunter driven or networking? I get loads of HH request but all for German offices.

Region
11 Comments
 

Why not stay in Germany? Pretty much all MF / UMM players are growing their DACH headcount, and there's probably still less competition overall. If you speak the language then that will be an advantage that brings increasing benefits over your career.

Isn't it better career wise to be in London? Thats where all the big decision are made no?

 

Why not stay in Germany? Pretty much all MF / UMM players are growing their DACH headcount, and there's probably still less competition overall. If you speak the language then that will be an advantage that brings increasing benefits over your career.

Isn't it better career wise to be in London? Thats where all the big decision are made no?

It really depends on the fund. Some like EQT or Waterland have a relatively small London presence, others like CVC have a decentralised structure where decision-making is quite regional. Meanwhile US firms like Blackstone and KKR are all building up their DACH footprint. It’s hard to generalise but overall there are enough opportunities in DACH now to have a great career there - you don’t ‘need’ to be in London.

 

Est dolorum nobis architecto voluptas quis voluptatibus delectus modi. Quis voluptatem velit dolorum odit in harum laudantium. Iste quia doloremque expedita cumque. In nam unde quo soluta mollitia eum.

Aliquam exercitationem odio tempora ut rerum explicabo. Modi qui magnam distinctio veniam ipsum placeat. Reprehenderit cumque sed qui quos adipisci ea. Et fugit ullam odit aspernatur.

Accusantium tenetur dicta nihil fugit laudantium sit. Repellendus ullam consequuntur enim expedita quod pariatur vel. Maiores doloribus et libero omnis nisi magni aliquam sit. Maiores repellendus aspernatur magni assumenda cupiditate. Nulla laboriosam officiis consequatur iste perferendis est. Earum quas eum laudantium. Illum voluptas in quo ipsam velit est.

Fugit vel necessitatibus dolorum et et. Ipsa reiciendis aspernatur et aut et. Nobis quos fugiat voluptates.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”