PORTFOLIO C-SUITE & VALUE CREATION

The investment industry has reached a new level of competition with entry valuations at levels unimaginable just a few years ago. This has increased focus not just on deal making but on active management of portfolio companies. It also includes corporate development strategies to drive buy & build programmes. PER is continually developing these specialist networks and candidate pools to support our clients.




Our expertise



We partner with private capital-backed businesses to appoint high-impact CFOs and Finance Leaders across Industrials, TMT, Consumer, Healthcare, Business Services, and Infrastructure, with a strong focus on the Mittelstand.

From buy-and-build, transformation, and carve-out to international expansion and exit, we ensure the right finance leadership at every stage of the investment lifecycle.


Beyond finance, we partner with our clients on broader C-level and executive search mandates, including CEO, COO, and other leadership appointments.

Wherever exceptional executive talent is essential to driving sustainable growth, delivering transformation and creating long-term value.






The growing importance of buy & build strategies is increasing demand for dedicated M&A professionals working within individual portfolio companies. 

We have developed active networks of these specialists, eager to be part of these fast-growing businesses, working closely with management and sponsors to capture value in each portfolio asset.





Today's market has moved beyond financial engineering and demands a razor sharp focus on value creation.

We are working with our clients to build dedicated value creation teams to drive the growth and transformation of the businesses they invest into. 

The areas of responsibility include strategy, digitisation, pricing strategies, supply chain re-engineering, new market entry, ESG and beyond.

PER has a deep reach into these specialist networks and candidate pools to support expansionary clients.

Our experts

Nadja is head of CFO and senior finance roles for our clients' portfolio companies, as well as in-house senior finance roles across continental the DACH regions.
Nadja Essmann

Partner, Head of CFO & Executive Practice, DACH

Noah leads PER's US business, specialising in CFO and senior finance leadership search for private equity-backed portfolio companies across the middle market.
Noah Berkowicz

Partner, Head of US

Dickon leads our Product & Engineering, Data & AI team focussed on placing senior level hires into portfolio companies backed by Private Equity and Venture Capital across Europe and the US.
Dickon Moon

Partner, Head of Product & Engineering, Data & AI

Based in our Frankfurt office, Isabel is a Principal at PER. She specialises in deal team recruitment for buyout private equity funds and leads Portfolio M&A hiring for PE-backed companies across Europe, helping them appoint senior M&A and corporate development leaders.
Isabel Stauber

Principal, Portfolio M&A and Private Equity, Frankfurt

Rebecca leads our Munich team at PER
Rebecca Liebel

Executive Partner, Head of Munich

Annabelle is a Partner at PER, specialising in private equity roles in the mid-market and lower mid-market.
Annabelle Bates

Partner, Head of Mid-Market

Katarina is based PER’s Munich office. As a VP, she specializes in the placement of CFOs and Finance Directors within private equity funds and their portfolio companies across the DACH region.
Katarina Stojcic

Vice President, CFO Practice, DACH

Max joined PER as a Research Consultant in 2024 as part of our Frankfurt Office. He is focused on expanding PER’s network and building strong relationships within DACH.
Max Arlt

Senior Associate, Frankfurt

Nina is part of the PER DACH team, based in our Munich office. She focusses on operational roles for senior candidates for a broad spectrum of private equity funds and their portfolio companies.
Nina Engel

Senior Associate, Value Creation, Munich

As part of the CFO Practice Team at PER, Laura supports live executive search mandates and actively contributes to the expansion of PER’s network of senior finance professionals.
Laura Knauff

Associate, CFO Practice, DACH

Laura is the heart of coordination for our German offices based in Munich. If you don't know where to go or whom to ask, Laura is always happy to help.
Laura Diaz-Vazquez

Team Coordinator

Load More
View all PER People

Related Insights

27 Mar 2025

Growing demand for sustainability leaders in portfolio companies

With shifting regulatory requirements and a volatile political and economic environment, the role of sustainability professionals has been tested and questioned more than ever before.

Insight
Insight
07 Feb 2024

Unlocking value creation through integrated ESG

Insight
09 Oct 2023

Demand for value-creation professionals is on the rise

Load More