A magnet for investment
Major international funds and strategic consultancies highlight renewed investor appetite for Europe and Spain’s privileged position during Financecommunity Week
by julia gil
Experts: Giorgio Dinaro, managing director at Permira; Nicola Falcinelli, managing director, partner, and deputy head of European private credit at Carlyle; Roberto Scaramella, partner at OliverWyman and head of aerospace & defence in Europe; Stefano Monza, head of coverage private equity at BIP Corporate Finance & Strategy.
Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical uncertainty and regulatory changes, Europe is consolidating its position as a strategic destination for alternative investment, according to major players in the sector. This was highlighted by leaders of international funds and strategic consultants at the seventh edition of Financecommunity Week in Milan, an event organised last 10-13 November by LC Publishing Group.
Financecommunity.es spoke to several of these participants, who highlighted the strong investor appetite for the continent, along with the rise of private credit as an alternative investment and growing interest in sectors such as defence. In addition, Spain also emerged as a particularly attractive market. Its business ecosystem and ability to attract foreign investment are reflected in recent moves such as the acquisition by British fund Cinven of a majority stake in Alfonso X El Sabio University, or the purchase of Idealista, which was finalised at the end of 2024. Added to this is the entry of the US fund Apollo with a 55% stake in the Atlético de Madrid football team, moves that reinforce Spain›s position as a key destination within the European investment landscape.
For Permira, Europe is not just a passing continent: “Between America and Europe, half of our investments are made in Europe,” explains managing director Giorgio Dinaro. The fund has been involved in numerous transactions in Europe this year. Specifically, in Spain, it has participated in the entry of the German GGW Group, in which Permira is a financial partner alongside HgCapital, through the purchase of the insurance broker Costa Serra. Among the fund›s most significant investments are AltamarCAM Partners, of which it acquired 40% in 2023, and eDreams Odigeo, of which it has sold 5.8% this year. The portfolio also includes the European pharmaceutical company Neuraxpharm, added in 2020, and the sale in 2024 of a majority stake in Universidad Europea to the EQT Infrastructure fund, with Permira retaining a minority stake in the capital. “We firmly believe in this market,” says Dinaro.
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