Mergers & Acquisitions has recognized nine firms as 2025’s Best Places to Work in Private Equity. These firms stand out for their innovative workplace cultures and policies as well as their proactive approach to adapt to constantly evolving workplace demands.
To select the winners, we asked nominees to detail how they set themselves apart from their competitors in areas such as work-life balance, training, career growth, retention and compensation/benefit packages. Nominees were also asked to share how their organization makes an impact at the firm and/or portfolio companies including Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), diversity, gender equality and philanthropy initiatives.
In an industry where burn out can be the norm, this year’s honorees have implemented ways to support work-life balance. MiddleGround Capital has unlimited PTO, offers extended time off for holidays, and up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave. The firm’s attrition rate was 14 percent in 2024. American Securities provides back-up child and elder care services. Employees are now eligible for up to 15 days of back-up care in either a daycare facility or home care support each year.
Some of this year’s honorees have chosen to maintain flexible workplace policies put in place during the pandemic. Charlesbank Capital Partners used the post-pandemic shift as a chance to evolve. The firm adopted a hybrid model with remote Thursdays for some teams, remote Fridays firmwide and remote August, which is modified when necessary.
Meanwhile, The Riverside Company recognized the growing importance of mental health in the post-pandemic world and became a founding member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-NYC Workplace Mental Health Collaborative.
Most of the firms who made this year’s list solicit employee feedback to help shape workplace culture and policies. Employee feedback at Charlesbank resulted in email moratoriums around holidays, enhanced parental leave, and a partnership with Carrot Fertility.
Many of the winners seek a broad and diverse pool of interns and candidates who may traditionally have been underrepresented in the PE industry. Riverside purposefully builds candidate pipelines to include diverse perspectives and experiences. As part of this effort, the firm maintains partnerships with organizations such as Girls Who Invest and the Black Wharton Undergraduate Association, among others. One Equity Partner’s internship program includes college students who are from programs such as Prep for Prep and TEAK Fellowship, which are focused on helping minority and/or low-income students. Monomoy Capital Partners launched an internship program in 2020 designed to engage a more diverse pool of students. The program plays a crucial role as a recruitment pipeline.
While all share characteristics, such as well-established policies and programs that support career mobility and development, each firm has a well-honed, unique culture. Several of One Equity’s investment professionals are former Olympic athletes, while others have competed at the collegiate or professional level
Below you’ll find links to individual profiles of this year’s winners, followed by a chart of all the winners and an additional 13 firms that received honorable mention.
American Securities provides flexibility and lifestyle perks.
Charlesbank Capital Partners maintains a collaborative, low-ego environment.
Monomoy Capital Partners actively assesses and promotes internal mobility.
One Equity Partners maintains a flat, non-hierarchal organization with a strong focus on mentorship.
