Monolingual Brits for PE - Are we f*cked?

English speaking Brit here who has an FT offer for a solid EB in London – think LAZ/HL/PWP/RTH/GHL. Have looked at a lot of PE firm teams in London and surprised at how few people speak only English (yes naïve).

I know a few big PE shops have UK/IRE teams and a couple PE firms I can think of that are UK/IRE focused with respectable AUM, e.g. $1bn+ but not many… below feels too small and limits optionality for B School/career change – am I correct in this?

Considering GS/JP/MS large class sizes and increasing spring week intake from Brits (Laz London SA class was purely SW for last 2 years) i.e. increased competition from people with no euro language, do monolingual Brits still have a good chance at PE of $1bn+

Does knowing 1+ euro language become even more important when you get senior in PE or is it unimportant as you'll have your euro fluent monkey handling much of the deal for you if/when you make Principal

Thanks!

20 Comments
 

What PE fund in LDN is paying £150k salary? £150k total comp more likely

As1 in IB is now £105k - £120k base, £200k - £250k total comp incl. £30k - £40k signing bonus

Lifestyle in PE is firm-dependent but likely worse initially as you need to rebuild brand equity and have fewer resources (i.e. no analysts, no offshore graphics team, fewer precedent materials, etc.). Assuming you don't work at a sweatshop, a well-respected As1 in IB can have a relatively good lifestyle by leveraging good relationships with seniors and pushing grunt work off to juniors.

 

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