News from MEAI
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25.06.2024
Private equity continues to be viewed differently across the Mittelstand. For some, it represents growth, innovation and international expansion opportunities. For others, it still carries associations with restructuring pressure or short-term financial expectations.
The reality, as so often, lies somewhere in between.
From our daily collaboration with private-equity investors, CEOs and HR leaders across the DACH region as well as international portfolio structures in the Middle East, Asia and Australia, we see that one pattern consistently emerges:
Investment success rarely depends on strategy alone. Leadership almost always makes the difference.
Sabine Higgen, Managing Partner DACH at Departer and long-standing executive search advisor in the private-equity environment, observes this repeatedly. The biggest challenge is rarely capital availability or the investment thesis itself, it is identifying leaders who can truly drive transformation, growth and integration locally and internationally.
For many mid-sized companies, partnering with a private-equity investor marks the first phase of accelerated scaling, often across borders.
Typical developments include:
What is frequently underestimated:
Organizations often scale faster than their leadership structures.
This leads to recurring questions from CEOs, investors and HR executives:
These are not traditional recruiting questions.
They are leadership questions.
Buy-and-build strategies have become standard across many private-equity investments, not only in Germany but globally. Platform companies are created, markets consolidated and international growth strategies accelerated.
On paper, the logic is straightforward. Operationally, however, companies often face:
This is precisely where leadership quality becomes decisive.
Successful executives in private-equity environments must not only understand financial performance metrics, they must also inspire people, align teams across cultures and lead transformation with credibility.
Succession planning remains a key topic for many DACH-headquartered companies, often with international operations or global customer bases.
Private equity can provide stability, capital and strategic perspective, provided leadership continuity and company culture remain balanced.
Succession is rarely purely economic.
It touches:
This is especially true in owner-led businesses with international workforces.
That is why executive search in private-equity succession scenarios has increasingly become a strategic leadership decision rather than a transactional hiring process.
In today’s private-equity landscape, investors, CEOs and HR leaders are not simply looking for recruitment support.
They seek sparring partners who:
This becomes particularly critical in projects spanning Germany, the Middle East, Asia or Australia, where cultural intelligence and market insight directly influence leadership success.
Often, it begins with one simple question:
Who can truly lead the next phase across markets, cultures and growth stages?
On our dedicated page covering Private Equity Executive Search for international DACH companies and portfolio businesses, you will find deeper insights into:
Please visit our Private Equity page here:
https://departer.com/de/private-equity-executive-search/
You may find exactly the perspective relevant to your current situation.
Learn the latest about us and our projects around the world.
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The UAE government has introduced the “Work Bundle” initiative to streamline employee residency processes and work permits for private sector companies. Initially, this program will be rolled out in Dubai, with plans to extend it to other emirates over time.
Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, rapidly establishing itself as a global economic leader. With substantial progress towards its Vision 2030 goals, the Kingdom presents a wealth of opportunities for European and DACH businesses looking to expand into a dynamic and evolving market. Vision 2030: Pioneering Sustainable Growth By the end of 2023, Saudi […]
Are you an employee or HR decision-maker working in a German, Austrian or Swiss (DACH) company in the United Arab Emirates? If so, we have a special invitation for you! We invite you to participate in the HR & Salary Survey 2024-25, a collaborative effort between Departer and the AHK (German-Emirati Joint Council for Industry […]
The revocation of previous insolvency laws signals a new chapter for insolvency procedures in the UAE, marked by improved efficiency, transparency, and creditor safeguards. Adherence to the new Bankruptcy Law is essential for businesses in the UAE, as failure to comply could lead to penalties.
Looking forward, we anticipate the issuance of executive regulations to supplement the new law, offering additional guidance on its implementation. In the interim, existing regulations and resolutions will remain in effect, ensuring a seamless transition and stability in the insolvency framework.
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The economic outlook for Saudi Arabia remains positive, with continued momentum expected in diversification efforts and economic reforms. German, Swiss and Austrian companies can capitalize on emerging opportunities in the following ways: While opportunities abound, German, Swiss and Austrian companies must navigate cultural differences, regulatory complexities, and geopolitical risks. Additionally, ensuring compliance with local laws […]
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Saudi Arabia is swiftly evolving into a global leader. By 2023, the country achieved an impressive 87% of its Vision 2030 goals, significantly boosting non-oil revenues to $121.8 billion and reducing unemployment to 7.7%. These milestones underscore the kingdom’s dedication to sustainable growth and economic diversification.
Vision 2030 has propelled Saudi Arabia to third place among G20 countries in economic competitiveness. This remarkable ascent is driven by comprehensive reforms in performance, infrastructure, and efficiency, firmly positioning Saudi Arabia as a key global economic player.
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The Blue Residency will specifically be granted to supporters of environmental action, including members of international organisations, international companies, members of associations and non-governmental organisations, global award winners, and distinguished activists and researchers in environmental work,” the UAE Cabinet announcement said.
Crisis times present unique challenges for companies, especially in times of employer branding. However, strong employer branding can make a significant difference by enhancing the company’s attractiveness in the job market. In this article, we explore why employer branding is crucial during crises, strategies and examples that mid-sized companies can employ to strengthen their employer […]
In compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Commerce, all companies operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are required to amend their articles of association to align with the new companies system outlined in Royal Decree No. (M/132) dated 01/12/1443 AH and its executive regulations as per the decision of His Excellency the […]
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by Marie-Christin Gabel Partnering for Progress: German Contributions to Saudi Arabia’s Economic Transformation Interview with Dr. Dalia Samra-Rohte (Delegate of the German Industry for Saudi Arabia) and Marie-Christin Gabel (Managing Partner MEAI, Departer) Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan aims to diversify its economy, reduce its dependence on oil and transform various sectors, creating a […]
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We are pleased to announce that Norman Sterz, CEO of Departer and Foreign Representative for Australia at BVMW – Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft e.V., is featured in the latest edition of the BVMW Mittelstand magazine. In his exclusive article on pages 20–21, Norman Sterz outlines why Australia has emerged as one of the most attractive and […]
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Departer is a leading German Executive Search company with more than two decades of experience in multinational leadership recruitment. We specialize in placing executives in medium-sized enterprises and private equity portfolio firms across DACH, MEAI, ASIA and ANZ. Our in-depth understanding of the DACH economy forms the cornerstone of international success stories. Contact Departer today […]
In today’s dynamic job market, HR Managers play a pivotal role in shaping an organization’s success by attracting, hiring and retaining top talent. …
by Departer’s editorial team Southeast Asia is no longer the quiet sibling overshadowed by the economic giants of China and Japan. Instead, it has emerged as a vibrant and thriving economic powerhouse, offering unparalleled opportunities for companies from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This region, with its dynamic workforce, rapid urbanization and robust digital economy, is […]
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Valuable Insights from the CEO of AHK – Interview with Oliver Oehms, CEO of the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK). Marie-Christin Gabel, our Managing Partner MEAI, conducted an interview […]
As Emiratisation requirements continue to evolve, many HR leaders and CEOs in the UAE are facing the same challenge: understanding whether the rules apply to their company and what concrete actions are required. Uncertainty around applicability, quotas, deadlines and enforcement has become a growing risk factor for companies operating in the UAE mainland. Against this […]
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From our market expert ANZ Sabina Langenhan – she interviewed Stefan Augustin (Investment Director for Trade and Investment Queensland) […]