We are delighted to share that Gail McManus has been awarded an MBE for services to private equity and venture capital
A few words from Gail
I am deeply honoured to have been awarded an MBE for services to private equity and venture capital in the 2026 New Year’s Honours.
It has prompted me to reflect on more than four decades in the industry, the first ten years at 3i, followed by over 30 years building PER during a period in which private capital has grown, professionalised and diversified significantly.
I founded PER in the mid-1990s following a decade at 3i, when an unexpected redundancy from what I thought was the best job in the world turned what felt like an ending into a beginning.
While starting a business without the security of a salary was daunting, venture capital had already taught me an important lesson: progress depends on being willing to take informed risks, learn quickly from mistakes and, most importantly, to keep going.
PER grew steadily, shaped by experience, resilience and a strong sense of responsibility to our team, our clients, candidates, and to our industry. I am especially proud of our own management buy-out in which the next generation of leaders has taken ownership of the business, a transition built on trust, shared values and a genuine belief in the continued contribution of PER to the industry.
Over the years, we have placed more than 5,000 professionals across private equity, venture capital, infrastructure and growth capital, underpinning teams that now manage trillions of pounds of capital globally. I am particularly proud of our work supporting impact and growth funds, and the role we have played in strengthening regional and local private capital ecosystems in the UK and beyond.
Diversity has been a consistent focus of my work. As a female founder, I have long believed that better outcomes come from broader perspectives. Through mentoring, workshops and networks, I have strived to support women and underrepresented talent to build long and successful careers in private markets.
This honour recognises not just my work, but the many colleagues, clients and candidates who have shared the journey. For all the capital our industry deploys, its real impact is delivered through people, and I am deeply grateful to everyone I have had the privilege to work with.
It has prompted me to reflect on more than four decades in the industry, the first ten years at 3i, followed by over 30 years building PER during a period in which private capital has grown, professionalised and diversified significantly.
I founded PER in the mid-1990s following a decade at 3i, when an unexpected redundancy from what I thought was the best job in the world turned what felt like an ending into a beginning.
While starting a business without the security of a salary was daunting, venture capital had already taught me an important lesson: progress depends on being willing to take informed risks, learn quickly from mistakes and, most importantly, to keep going.
PER grew steadily, shaped by experience, resilience and a strong sense of responsibility to our team, our clients, candidates, and to our industry. I am especially proud of our own management buy-out in which the next generation of leaders has taken ownership of the business, a transition built on trust, shared values and a genuine belief in the continued contribution of PER to the industry.
Over the years, we have placed more than 5,000 professionals across private equity, venture capital, infrastructure and growth capital, underpinning teams that now manage trillions of pounds of capital globally. I am particularly proud of our work supporting impact and growth funds, and the role we have played in strengthening regional and local private capital ecosystems in the UK and beyond.
Diversity has been a consistent focus of my work. As a female founder, I have long believed that better outcomes come from broader perspectives. Through mentoring, workshops and networks, I have strived to support women and underrepresented talent to build long and successful careers in private markets.
This honour recognises not just my work, but the many colleagues, clients and candidates who have shared the journey. For all the capital our industry deploys, its real impact is delivered through people, and I am deeply grateful to everyone I have had the privilege to work with.