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.

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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.

 

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