Private Equity
Movers and shakers of 2022: Top people moves in European PE
January 26, 2023
Just as European private equity had a strong appetite for deals in 2022, industry dealmakers also demonstrated an appetite for new career opportunities—even amid uncertain times.
The PitchBook Platform recorded around 140 senior departures from PE firms in the region in 2022 as many executives either sought out opportunities with a new firm or, in some cases, launched their own. We've gathered some of the highlights.
Drews joined Swedish PE giant EQT as COO in March. There she will oversee EQT's operating platform. Drews had the same title at Helios Investment Partners, where she led strategy development and implementation.
During her tenure, Helios became the first emerging markets investor to obtain B Corp sustainability certification, which recognizes a firm's high ESG standards. Previously, she spent 25 years with Goldman Sachs.
Bertone was chosen for the top job at Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGR, a Milan-based fund manager targeting smaller businesses. Bertone joined after 20 years at investment bank Mediobanca—most recently as a managing director.
He had also been the CFO of Fiat Auto Argentina. In October, the firm revealed plans to increase its AUM to €4 billion by 2025 with the launch of seven new funds, including both direct-investment funds and funds-of-funds.
In July, Renaud Tourmente left his role as COO at middle-market firm Capza to form Paris-based Armen—which focuses on GP stakes—with former Capza colleagues Dominique Gaillard and Laurent Bénard. As COO and head of development at Capza, Tourmente helped the business grow from €2.4 billion AUM to €7 billion in three years.
Renaud started his career at BNP Paribas in 1999. He joined West LB in 2005, where he later led the acquisition finance team for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He joined AXA IM in 2012 as head of corporate credit and later co-head of loans and private debt.
In March, Kadouch-Chassaing took up a new post with Eurazeo as general manager for finance and strategy. He arrives as the firm's former CFO and head of strategy Philippe Audouin leaves to work full time at economic think tank Messina Institute.
His previous roles include four years on the board of French asset manager Amundi and 14 years as group CFO at Societe Generale. Kadouch-Chassaing will assist in Eurazeo's international expansion.
Gustafsson joined German PE firm Aurelius in July to aid its expansion into the Nordic market. Gustafsson has more than a decade of experience in M&A advisory with various investment banks in London and has also worked in corporate development for multinational corporations.
He came to Aurelius from IP Only, a Swedish internet and telecom specialist.
Carrena joined London-based Helios in September as its managing director for Nigeria.
Carrena previously spent 10 years with Africa-focused investment banking specialist Stanbic IBTC Capital, where she was an executive director and head of corporate finance. Prior to that, she was vice president at Travant Capital Partners, a private equity and advisory firm in Nigeria.
Scanavino joined British International Investment in April from UK middle-market firm RJD Partners, where was the finance director, and the board of Africa Platform Capital. Prior to RJD, he served as a director at Actis.
At BII he can continue to focus on Africa as the firm continues to invest in companies such as MedAccess, which is developing malaria vaccines.
Featured image by Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock
The PitchBook Platform recorded around 140 senior departures from PE firms in the region in 2022 as many executives either sought out opportunities with a new firm or, in some cases, launched their own. We've gathered some of the highlights.
Christina Drews
COO at EQTDrews joined Swedish PE giant EQT as COO in March. There she will oversee EQT's operating platform. Drews had the same title at Helios Investment Partners, where she led strategy development and implementation.
During her tenure, Helios became the first emerging markets investor to obtain B Corp sustainability certification, which recognizes a firm's high ESG standards. Previously, she spent 25 years with Goldman Sachs.
Davide Bertone
CEO at Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGRBertone was chosen for the top job at Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGR, a Milan-based fund manager targeting smaller businesses. Bertone joined after 20 years at investment bank Mediobanca—most recently as a managing director.
He had also been the CFO of Fiat Auto Argentina. In October, the firm revealed plans to increase its AUM to €4 billion by 2025 with the launch of seven new funds, including both direct-investment funds and funds-of-funds.
Renaud Tourmente
Co-founder, deputy CEO and COO at ArmenIn July, Renaud Tourmente left his role as COO at middle-market firm Capza to form Paris-based Armen—which focuses on GP stakes—with former Capza colleagues Dominique Gaillard and Laurent Bénard. As COO and head of development at Capza, Tourmente helped the business grow from €2.4 billion AUM to €7 billion in three years.
Renaud started his career at BNP Paribas in 1999. He joined West LB in 2005, where he later led the acquisition finance team for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He joined AXA IM in 2012 as head of corporate credit and later co-head of loans and private debt.
William Kadouch-Chassaing
General manager at EurazeoIn March, Kadouch-Chassaing took up a new post with Eurazeo as general manager for finance and strategy. He arrives as the firm's former CFO and head of strategy Philippe Audouin leaves to work full time at economic think tank Messina Institute.
His previous roles include four years on the board of French asset manager Amundi and 14 years as group CFO at Societe Generale. Kadouch-Chassaing will assist in Eurazeo's international expansion.
Henrik Gustafsson
Managing director and head of Nordics at AureliusGustafsson joined German PE firm Aurelius in July to aid its expansion into the Nordic market. Gustafsson has more than a decade of experience in M&A advisory with various investment banks in London and has also worked in corporate development for multinational corporations.
He came to Aurelius from IP Only, a Swedish internet and telecom specialist.
Sola Carrena
Managing director at Helios Investment PartnersCarrena joined London-based Helios in September as its managing director for Nigeria.
Carrena previously spent 10 years with Africa-focused investment banking specialist Stanbic IBTC Capital, where she was an executive director and head of corporate finance. Prior to that, she was vice president at Travant Capital Partners, a private equity and advisory firm in Nigeria.
Leonardo Scanavino
Director at British International InvestmentScanavino joined British International Investment in April from UK middle-market firm RJD Partners, where was the finance director, and the board of Africa Platform Capital. Prior to RJD, he served as a director at Actis.
At BII he can continue to focus on Africa as the firm continues to invest in companies such as MedAccess, which is developing malaria vaccines.
Featured image by Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock
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