Self-employed PE analyst - is this normal?

Hi guys,

I am about to start a job at a small PE fund in the UK and I was wondering about the contract. It says there that I am "self-employed" and a "consultant" to the firm. Apparently this is also the case for the other analysts. I asked about this and apparently it is done like this because all analysts get a small share in the fund (carry). I'm not sure about UK employment law, though.

Has anybody seen something like this before or can tell me if this is normal? Or do you think it is just for the firm to save social security contributions and bureaucracy?

I am also worried about a paragraph in the contract where it says I would have "personal liability for any loss, damages, liability (...) from negligent or reckless act, omission or default". So does that mean I am personally liable if I make a mistake in a calculation and the fund loses millions? (very unprobable of course, but it would mean lifelong debt)

2 Comments
 
Best Response

I'd suggest reading through some stock consulting agreements you can find online (see below). There are key provisions like indemnification and ownership of intellectual property that you should consider adding to the contract to cover your ass if they want you as a consultant and not an employee. There may be other tax and benefit related issues like no health insurance that might justify a much higher nominal pay. Make sure to do your homework and talk to a local employment lawyer to review the document (shouldn't cost much in the grand scheme of things).

https://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/consulting-agreement/#.V1GoXZErJhE

 

Tenetur harum atque et molestiae et in. Voluptas exercitationem rerum explicabo aliquam voluptatem.

Sit fugiat adipisci voluptatum aut. Eum rerum accusantium totam doloribus blanditiis. Officia sint at qui rerum corrupti dignissimos odio magnam.

Fugit ab rem dicta. Velit consequuntur architecto et aut debitis ab ut neque. Nam sint amet et ullam. Suscipit eligendi autem quo qui et. Praesentium neque dolor laborum vitae. Tempora sed distinctio nobis eum suscipit earum consequatur eius.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”