How to make it in private equity

There were 780 investment professionals employed in 2016, according to the SAVCA 2017 Private Equity Industry Survey , says Tanya van Lill, CEO at the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (Savca).

Tanya van Lill, CEO: Savca

“As a professional services industry, private equity views talent as its greatest asset, and matching the right talent to the right role is critical given the diverse and professional nature of the industry. Potential applicants should not be discouraged by the seemingly high barriers to entry. The private equity industry provides a great opportunity for people who are looking to work in an environment that offers a variety of rewards and long-term employment prospects, and the chance to make a real difference in helping businesses to succeed,” she says.

No single route

Private equity firms typically have a transacting and support capability. “Transactors are not only astute networkers who originate deals, but are also well-rounded, long-term investors who actively contribute to the boards, and subsequently the performance, of our investee companies. While the support teams are predominantly made up of finance professionals, such as fund accountants, and various specialised areas that continue to gain relevance as the private equity landscape expands,” says Kalene Lang, senior manager: human resources at Ethos.

With the continued evolution of roles within investor relations, public relations and environmental, social and corporate governance - new support capability career opportunities have been created.

Lang adds that the required qualifications and work experience will vary across roles, and entry into the industry can be found through various career paths. “There is no single route to a career in private equity. Yet, ethical leadership, innovation and resilience are core.”