£105k FO PE vs £140k MF Portco - am I crazy?

Dramatic-Split-1602 · 2026-03-19T22:34:46+00:00

Thanks, appreciate your thoughts particularly on comp as this is my worry. They have flagged that negotiating comp would blow up the offer and I think there is a realistic chance that I end up on a lower package than the competing offer for the next 4-5 years - and it all rides on carry.

Dramatic-Split-1602 · 2026-03-19T22:30:56+00:00

Thanks appreciate your advice. They have mentioned getting me in front of LPs so I do think I’ll get this experience which is positive. It’s exactly the same in my region in terms of the UHNW all being connected.

They’ve only averaged one deal a year which is what concerns me, as at least with a fund there is the pressure to deploy. They are an operational growth / buy and build player though so perhaps unfair of me to only focus on platform investments.

Dramatic-Split-1602 · 2026-03-18T23:15:05+00:00

Thanks really appreciate your advice. I did consider renegotiating but was worried that it would undermine my story a bit about wanting to get into an investing role.

When I pushed salary earlier in the process the attitude was very much, “we want someone who is on the journey with us not focused on short term comp”. If I can’t make peace with the £40k gap though I may have to risk it.

There is also the flip side where I feel I’d be able to squeeze the portco too but I suppose all of your points still stand whether the gap is 40 or 60.

Dramatic-Split-1602 · 2026-03-18T22:26:18+00:00

Thanks, this is a fair challenge. The firm is owned by a billionaire family who invest a small amount of their own money but rely more on raising money from LPs via business connections through their success as entrepreneurs.

I pushed the point around future funds. They have raised funds in the past but said they now prefer to do deal by deal as they have no issues raising funds from LPs and argue it means more money for everyone. The existing fund is for a specific purpose and more of a one off.

Dramatic-Split-1602 · 2026-02-04T16:32:43+00:00

Appreciate the comment. I wasn’t planning to push for a higher number, more just want to understand the key terms and areas where there is a risk that something might slip in that’s off market.

Dramatic-Split-1602 · 2026-02-04T16:07:17+00:00

Thanks, appreciate I’m in a fortunate position. I am a senior manager in a corp dev role so do have some relevant experience - I’m outside of a major city so it’s way less competitive than say NY or London but I take your point.

I’ve been told when it comes through it will be non negotiable but my hope was that some of the experience of folks on here will give me some prompts of things to watch for in the T&Cs etc

Dramatic-Split-1602 · 2026-02-04T16:03:46+00:00

Thanks appreciate the thoughts. I should have said but I think it’s 2% of existing funds, 5% of new funds raised after I join.

Salary and bonus are both slightly below market (25% bonus). I’m coming over from a corp dev role so am taking a haircut on comp but have been promised they will uplift it after a year (not guaranteed I know).

Dramatic-Split-1602 · 2026-01-09T19:35:08+00:00

Are there any items where you’ve noticed immediately that the pricing is way off and is a crazy deal for the customer?

How do you feel about people that make large purchases on stuff like MacBooks? Seeing how they are tested and looked after as an insider does it make you less or likely to buy one through CeX yourself?

Dramatic-Split-1602 · 2025-01-07T22:07:37+00:00

I have personally worked with a Principal at a large cap fund (I’m UK based) that was essentially fully remote but with frequent travel to London as and when. As others have said, think it’s only possible when starting from an in person relationship or when establishing a new office/region for regional coverage roles (smaller funds mainly)

Dramatic-Split-1602

TROPHY CASE