20 Dec 2022

Permira announces leadership transition in the DACH region

Frankfurt, December 20, 2022 – Permira, the global private equity firm, is pleased to announce that, after 22 successful years at Permira, including 15 years as Head of the DACH region, Jörg Rockenhäuser will become Chairman of DACH on January 1, 2023. He will continue his work as a member of Permira’s Investment Committee. Florian Kreuzer, currently a Principal in Permira’s healthcare team and based in the Frankfurt office, will succeed Rockenhäuser as Head of DACH. Stefan Dziarski, a Partner who sits on the Investment Committee of Permira Growth Opportunities, will focus on his leadership roles in the technology and consumer team. Ulrich Gasse, a Partner and Global General Counsel, completes the DACH leadership team.

Jörg Rockenhäuser says: "We always had the clear goal to initiate the generational change as early as possible to ensure stability in our leadership. Florian Kreuzer, with his expertise and understanding of our firm and industry, is the ideal successor to continue Permira’s success story in the DACH region. I am incredibly grateful for what we have achieved together as a team over the past years. The German-speaking region has become one of the most successful regions of our company. For this, I owe a special thank you to my friend Ulrich Gasse, with whom I have worked closely for almost two decades. Without him, we would not have secured this excellent market position. I am looking forward to further enhancing Permira’s profile as one of the largest investors in high-growth market leaders in my new role as Chairman."

Under Rockenhäuser's leadership, Permira has transformed into a leading tech investor in the DACH region. With investments in companies such as TeamViewer and P&I, the Permira funds are now the largest software investor in the region. Rockenhäuser has established close ties with family entrepreneurs, with a focus on supporting them in their digitalisation journey. Examples include the acquisitions of BestSecret and Engel & Völkers. The Frankfurt office has become an important technology and digitalization hub for Permira. In addition, one of the priorities in recent years has been to build a similarly strong market position in the healthcare sector, as demonstrated with the acquisition of Neuraxpharm in 2020.

Florian Kreuzer adds: "Jörg Rockenhäuser has played a crucial role in shaping Permira’s success in recent years. Today, we are well-positioned to take advantage of the growth opportunities in the DACH region. I am very pleased that he will continue to support us with his profound experience and expertise – this will greatly benefit us as a team. We will build on the successful strategy of the past 15 years and continue to create sustainable value for our investors and portfolio companies."

Kreuzer has a long experience as an investment manager in the private equity industry. He joined Permira in mid-2019 as a member of the global healthcare team. In this role, he worked on several transactions, including the acquisition of specialty pharma company Neuraxpharm. Prior to Permira, he spent 14 years at Carlyle, working across various sectors and acting in a leading role for multiple transactions, including private nursing home operator Alloheim, hospital group Ameos, specialty chemicals company Atotech and multi-channel apparel retailer Hunkemöller.

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