The ESCP Women in Finance Chair and ESCP Finance Society recently hosted a compelling “Women in Private Equity” discussion designed to make the industry more accessible, visible, and concrete for students interested in private markets careers.
The session opened with remarks from Amira Rahmat on behalf of the Women in Finance Chair, who welcomed attendees and underlined the event’s central goal: to help students better understand representation in finance while highlighting the role of women working in the industry. The event, organized by the ESCP Finance Society, featured a 40-minute live discussion followed by a 20-minute audience Q&A, facilitated by student representative, Anelya Akhmetova.
Two speakers shared their career journeys and perspectives on the private equity industry: Anna Komarova, CAIA, Director in Ardian’s Secondaries & Primaries team in London, and Lucrezia De Simone, Private Equity Analyst at Tikehau Capital, London.
Anna Komarova spoke about her path into private equity, explaining how early internships, curiosity, and openness to different opportunities led her to the secondaries and primaries strategy. She gave students a practical overview of what secondaries and primaries mean in practice, describing secondaries as a way to provide liquidity to institutional investors by purchasing portfolios of private equity fund interests, while primaries involve committing capital to new funds. She also outlined the broad scope of her role, which includes transaction execution, portfolio analysis, and managing relationships with clients and counterparties.
Lucrezia De Simone shared a similarly candid account of her route into private equity, explaining that her interest developed gradually through internships and conversations with professionals, rather than through a direct and predetermined path. She described her current work at Tikehau Capital, where she focuses on decarbonisation and regenerative agriculture strategies, with responsibilities spanning origination, deal execution, and portfolio management. Her comments highlighted how thematic investing combines financial analysis with sector knowledge and long-term value creation.
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was that private equity is a long-term business. Both speakers emphasized that while short-term performance monitoring matters, investment teams must always keep an eye on the broader value-creation potential of assets and portfolios. They also discussed how sector expertise, while valuable, is not a prerequisite for junior candidates. Curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn were repeatedly identified as more important early on.
The conversation also touched on the importance of networks in private equity and finance more broadly. Anna Komarova spoke about Ardian Women London and the NextGen Committee, noting that internal networks and informal initiatives can help junior women connect with senior colleagues and strengthen visibility within firms. Both speakers encouraged students to start networking early, to build genuine relationships rather than transactional contacts, and to be proactive in following up after events and introductions.
When asked about recruitment and interview preparation, the speakers advised students to go beyond technical basics and show real interest in the industry. They recommended reading industry news, following deal activity, listening to finance podcasts, and understanding the difference between private equity strategies and sectors. They also highlighted the growing impact of AI in finance and the need for future professionals to remain flexible as the industry evolves.
During the audience Q&A, students asked about LinkedIn outreach, books and podcasts, technical preparation, and how to build confidence in a competitive environment. The speakers’ answers consistently pointed to the same message: students do not need to know everything before entering the industry, but they should be curious, informed, and willing to engage.
The event closed with a reminder that private equity is demanding, but not inaccessible. With strong preparation, meaningful networking, and a genuine interest in the field, students can position themselves well for future opportunities. The discussion offered attendees not only insight into private equity careers, but also a practical roadmap for approaching the industry with confidence.
Campuses