HHL Public Lectures | Finance: Gender Diversity in Private Equity

Private equity seems to be the showcase for an industry dominated by white and male persons. A recent HHL study on diversity shows that only 4-5% of all general partners are female. However, as in other industries, private equity firms seem to have realized that diversity in general may generate specific benefits and thus, finally improve fund performance. Organizations like level 20 aim to increase the fraction of women working in senior investment roles in private equity up to 20 percent. Still it seems that a lot has to be done until the private equity industry at least reaches levels of diversity comparable to other industries. In this session we will highlight benefits and challenges coming along with higher diversity levels.

This session is part of a broader lecture series surrounding the topic of private equity (PE).

Together with his guest Jennifer Regehr (Sophora Unternehmerkapital) Prof. Bernhard Schwetzler (HHL, Chair of Financial Management) will discuss the current state of diversity in the PE industry and highlight recent empirical and practical examples. Jennifer Regehr is Co-Founder and managing partner at Sophora Unternehmerkapital, a Munich-based private equity firm specializing on small cap transactions in the DACH region. Before joining Sophora Jennifer has been with Silverfleet Capital, finally as a  Principal. In this session she will share her extensive experience in private equity and highlight some particular challenges and benefits when aiming to increase diversity in PE teams.

The following topics will be highlighted in the session:

• The current state: diversity in private equity
• Does diversity yield better decision making and foster PE performance?
• Sophora’s contribution to Female Empowerment
• Some correct and some wrong stereotypes about private equity

The talk will be held in English.