Permira: The €80B London Firm Behind Squarespace, McAfee and Zendesk

The firm

Permira, founded in 1985 in London, is a global investment firm that advises funds with total committed capital of approximately €80 billion — ranking among the world's largest private equity firms (20th in PEI's 2024 PEI 300). Born as Schroder Ventures Europe, it became independent in 1996 and took the Permira name in 2001. The firm employs 500+ people across 15 offices in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia, led by Managing Partner Kurt Björklund. In 2023 it closed its eighth flagship buyout fund, Permira VIII, with €16.7 billion in commitments.

Thesis and sweet spot

Permira runs three strategies. Its Flagship strategy focuses on control investing in the upper mid-market, primarily in Europe and North America, backing global market-leading companies benefiting from structural growth trends. Ascent applies the same thematic, sector-led approach to mid-market growth companies with control, co-control and high-governance structures. A global credit platform rounds out the firm. Private equity investments concentrate on four core sectors: Technology, Consumer, Services and Healthcare, with buyout and growth equity deals held over the medium to long term and exits via IPOs or strategic sales.

Notable portfolio

Permira's tech bets are among the biggest in Europe: Squarespace (taken private in a $6.9 billion deal), McAfee, Zendesk, TeamViewer, Clearwater Analytics, Genesys, Informatica, Klarna, Mimecast and Magento. Beyond tech, it has backed Neuraxpharm (healthcare), Engel & Völkers (services), environmental disclosure leader CDP, and — with CPPIB — agreed the £2.3 billion acquisition of JTC Group in 2026. In 2021 it closed its second growth opportunities fund at a $4 billion hard cap.

People

The firm is led by Managing Partner Kurt Björklund and organised as a partnership owned largely by senior management. Its model pairs sector-specialist investment teams with dedicated operational resources, and it has recently added senior advisers such as former Microsoft executive Julia Liuson.

Programs, credits and how to engage

Permira does not run a founder accelerator or startup-credit programme; its deals are buyouts and large growth-equity investments (typically $100M+). Engagement comes through the firm's investment teams, bankers, or via joining one of its 300+ portfolio companies worldwide.