We support private equity investors, portfolio companies and mid-sized businesses across the DACH region and internationally in identifying leadership talent that drives growth.
Strategic. Operational. Human.
Successful private equity investments balance financial performance with people and leadership skills. Our clients seek executives who actively drive transformation, inspire and develop teams and deliver sustainable growth.
At the same time, they bring an entrepreneurial mindset, confidently navigate complex stakeholder environments and lead proactively rather than reactively.
Departer combines:
Buy-and-build strategies are a core growth driver in private equity today. Building corporate groups, integrating acquisitions and scaling organisations require leaders with both strategic perspective and operational execution skills.
We identify executives experienced in:Our goal is to find growth leaders who deliver results while maintaining team stability, engagement and trust.
Succession planning has become a central topic across mid-sized companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Private equity investors often provide stability, capital and strategic direction.
However, succession is never purely financial. It requires leadership that:We support succession processes with deep executive search expertise and a strong understanding of entrepreneurial culture.
We support private equity investors and their portfolio companies in appointing key leadership roles across the entire investment lifecycle from post-acquisition appointments through growth and transformation phases to exit preparation.
Typical executive search mandates include:
For many years, we have supported private equity investors and their portfolio companies in appointing key leadership positions from initial post-acquisition hires through growth and transformation phases to exit preparation.
Typical executive search mandates include:
Departer specialises in executive search for private equity firms across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as for internationally expanding portfolio companies in high-growth markets.
Our particular focus includes:
Private equity executive search has become a key success factor for sustainable international growth strategies.
Sabine Higgen has supported private equity firms and portfolio companies for many years in appointing key leadership positions across Germany and internationally.
Her approach combines professional excellence with strong leadership expertise and a clear focus on people, culture and sustainable business development.
We support private equity firms in appointing leadership talent across key asset classes, including:
Our executive search approach focuses on identifying leaders with strategic vision, strong execution capabilities and proven leadership expertise.
Departer has established itself as a reliable partner in Executive Search with the successful placement of leadership and C-suite positions, including CEO, CFO and other management roles. Our extensive experience, combined with a deep understanding of leadership and C-level recruitment, has earned the trust of reputable companies and institutions.
Whether it’s buy-and-build strategies, succession planning, growth initiatives or international expansion: The right leadership makes the difference.
Let’s talk about your next key leadership appointment.
Departer combines German executive search standards with strong local market expertise across international growth regions. We support leadership placements for German mid-sized companies as well as private equity portfolio businesses worldwide.
Yes. Departer supports private equity firms and their portfolio companies in filling key leadership roles such as CEO, CFO, managing director and other senior management positions, particularly in transformation and growth situations.
Our focus is on leaders with an entrepreneurial mindset, strong execution capabilities and proven experience in dynamic private equity environments.
Our executive search process is clearly structured and specifically tailored to the requirements of private equity mandates:
This ensures that candidates not only meet professional requirements but also align strategically and culturally with both the portfolio company and the investment partner.
Private equity mandates often require fast results. Thanks to our international research capabilities and strong local networks, we are typically able to present qualified shortlists for critical leadership positions within just a few weeks.
Yes. Departer supports DACH-based companies and private equity portfolio businesses with international leadership placements, for example in the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
Our international hubs enable executive search from a single source, eliminating the need to coordinate multiple local providers while ensuring strong regional market expertise.
Departer has successfully placed numerous CEO, CFO and managing director roles for mid-sized companies and international private equity portfolio businesses.
We are happy to share relevant references or case studies confidentially in a direct conversation.
The first step is to complete our contact form so we can understand your initial requirements. We will then schedule a confidential, no-obligation consultation with your dedicated contact and private equity expert, Sabine Higgen.
Together, we clarify your priorities, target market and leadership needs. Based on this, we initiate a tailored research and direct outreach process to identify and attract the leadership talent best suited to your organisation.
Departer operates internationally, supporting executive search mandates for German mid-sized companies as well as private equity portfolio businesses worldwide. Our key regions include:
Through our international hubs, we provide executive search from a single source with one partner, one process and strong local market expertise on the ground.
Yes. Executive search for private equity firms in the UAE and the wider Middle East is a key focus of our work.
Schedule a non-binding consultation with our expert for private equity and HR projects.
Managing Partner DACH