Pictet Alternative Advisors expands its private equity direct investment team

Pictet Alternative Advisors (Pictet AA) has strengthened its global private equity direct investment capabilities by recruiting a team of five experienced professionals. This team will leverage on Pictet's global infrastructure and resources, including but not limited to environmental, social and governance, technology, legal and compliance issues.

The team is led by Edmund Buckley, Head of Direct Private Equity Investments from London, who was hired in April 2022 to create this area. Previously at THI Investments, he brings more than 20 years of experience in the European mid-market, with a strong track record and extensive cross-sector and geographical expertise.

Nikolaus Hubmann has joined as head of the German-speaking region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), in charge of research, origination, due diligence and supervision of opportunities. He previously held a management position at Sun Capital Partners. He is a specialist in the German-speaking middle market, with twelve years of experience in origination and operations in industrial and business-to-business sectors.

Sean Howard has been hired as Chief Investment Officer. He will support Buckley and regional directors in originating and monitoring opportunities, as well as portfolio companies. Previously, he was part of Ares Management's private equity team for business-to-business, healthcare and technology services acquisitions in the UK.

Jan Dreesen has joined as an associate. He comes from Aurelius Group, where he was dedicated to origination, due diligence, execution of operations and strategic support to portfolio companies for the European middle market.

"We are delighted to welcome this experienced team. They will assist in the expansion of our private equity direct investment business. Together with Edmund Buckley bring strong credentials and a bottom-up focus on quality business at reasonable valuations, key for this decade. It implies long-term, collaborative mindset, management and value creation, particularly with sustainability and responsible investment criteria".

Elif Aktug, Managing Partner of Pictet and CEO of Pictet AA.

In addition, Hugo Hickson has been hired as director of value creation. He will focus on strategy, digitalization, operational improvements, sales optimization and pricing, as well as environmental, social and governance aspects. He brings more than ten years of experience in improving and growing European companies, mainly at McKinsey & Company.

The team will continue to grow in 2023 and expand its activities once it has obtained regulatory clearance from the UK regulator.