In our sixth annual European Private Capital Compensation Survey, Heidrick & Struggles invited executives working in the European private capital industry to participate in an online survey on compensation.

This year we received 535 complete responses from executives across the private capital value chain: those who raise and retain capital, those who invest capital, and those who work to improve returns.

This year’s report also includes a dedicated section to private capital professionals in the Nordic region.

More than half (57%) of all respondents had no change in their year-over-year base salary from 2017 to 2018, while 41% reported an increase during the same period. Similarly, bonuses held strong in 2018, with more than half (52%) of respondents reporting no change from 2017 levels and 41% receiving a year-over-year increase.

Overall, mean cash compensation (base and bonus) grew for all professionals in 2018, and executives at all levels outperformed their self-reported compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2017. Junior professionals, in particular, witnessed the largest growth, at 13.58%.

About the authors

Mohd Arsalan (marsalan@kmcresearch.com) leads the research team for Heidrick & Struggles’ Private Equity Practice; he is based in the Gurgaon office.

Martin Holm (mholm@heidrick.com) is a principal in the Copenhagen office and a member of the Healthcare & Life Sciences, Industrial, and Private Equity practices.

Leanne Ryan (lryan@heidrick.com) is an associate in the London office and a member of the Private Equity Practice.

Tom Thackeray (tthackeray@heidrick.com) is a principal in the London office and a member of the Private Equity Practice.