REASON FOR THE SEARCH

Sovereign was looking for a proven Investment Director who could lead deals and had an excellent track record with previous investments.

They had viewed several profiles but were frustrated with the quality of candidates they had received. They wanted a true A-Player—someone full of energy and passionate about investing and building companies.

THE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM

Sovereign is a private equity firm that invests in high-quality businesses within specific sectors to achieve accelerated growth and deliver strong returns.

The Sovereign team has the breadth, depth, and experience to support businesses and talented management teams in delivering strong growth. They identify follow-on acquisitions for the businesses they back while also investing in the company’s organic growth and operations. Sovereign also focuses on delivering attractive solutions for business owners considering their future options.

WHY RAW SELECTION

Raw Selection is proven in completing difficult searches across Europe and North America. The main challenge during this search for an Investment Director was relocating the chosen candidate from the US to the UK. However, it was a smooth transition due to Raw Selection’s ability to be attentive, on-call, and use initiative to ensure the client and candidate were well-informed and equipped at every stage of the hiring process.

THE PROCESS

To secure the candidate, Raw Selection followed their extensive 15-step process to ensure the best match was found for the vacancy.

After having an in-depth conversation with the hiring manager at Sovereign, Raw Selection’s Managing Partner, Alex Rawlings, was able to build a full picture of the company, the employees, and the culture. He knew exactly what type of profile would be the right fit for the role.

Leveraging Raw Selection’s vast global network of private equity professionals, we reached out to candidates. With our pre-mapped industry connections across Europe and North America, we identified and shortlisted Charlie Rossetti within days.

Charlie’s relocation from the US to the UK posed additional logistical challenges. Raw Selection ensured seamless communication with both Sovereign and Charlie, facilitating the move by arranging flights, accommodation, and mobile SIM cards. The goal was to make Charlie’s transition as smooth as possible and prevent any last-minute issues from delaying the placement.

Despite the COVID-19 outbreak causing unforeseen delays, Charlie successfully settled into his new role and has adapted well, both within the firm and to life in the UK.

Charlie brings with him a wealth of experience. He had a senior role at his previous fund and significant expertise in the industrial and manufacturing sector, which is expanding Sovereign’s network into this space.

THE RESULT

Charlie was a great hire for Sovereign Capital Partners. His prior experience in lower to middle-market investments, combined with his exceptional deal-making ability, made him an excellent fit. Charlie was quick to embrace Sovereign's culture and processes, despite joining during the difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He has successfully completed multiple portfolio acquisitions and add-ons at Sovereign, bringing his U.S. experience and strong drive for knowledge to develop his career further.

THE CANDIDATE

Charlie came to Raw Selection through our extensive U.S. connections, fulfilling his ambition to move to the UK and complete deals in Europe. As a Principal at a well-established U.S. private equity firm, he had been leading deals and was on a clear track to becoming a Partner due to his successes.

Charlie’s deep expertise in the industrial/manufacturing sector made him an ideal fit for Sovereign Capital Partners. He impressed from the outset and was eager to visit the firm in London.

Despite joining Sovereign at a challenging time—during the COVID-19 pandemic—Charlie quickly adapted and embraced the company’s culture, deal processes, and working style.

We are delighted that Charlie has completed multiple portfolio acquisitions and add-ons at Sovereign and continues to apply his U.S. experience to help develop his career.

WHAT OUR CLIENT THINKS

“Alex did a fantastic job assisting me in my cross-border job search.

While other recruiters were disinterested, Alex invested the time to understand my background and educate me on the norms in an unfamiliar market. He was extremely proactive in identifying potential opportunities, securing interviews, and ensuring the process moved along quickly and smoothly.

Even after the search was complete, Alex continued to provide guidance and support. A true relationship-driven approach.”

Charlie Rossetti, New Investment Director, Sovereign Capital Partners

GET IN TOUCH

Raw Selection favors a meticulous approach to talent research. Our process for selecting the right talent means we can boast a 100% success rate for all our retained and engaged C-Suite clients, with 96% of placed candidates still in their roles after 12 months.

If you are looking for new talent, please get in contact with Alex Rawlings today at alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.