Marco Castelli has grown with BC Partners, having joined the firm nearly two decades ago as an Associate. Today, he is a Partner in the private equity team in London. Marco’s story is an illustration of how BC’s differentiated culture, global reach, and focus on professional development have supported his progression and created an environment where ambitious, entrepreneurial young professionals can thrive.
In this quickfire Q&A, Marco reflects on the key moments in his career, the opportunities that shaped his growth, and the lessons he has learned along the way.
Hi Marco, thanks for speaking with us. You’ve been with BC Partners since 2006 and have made the impressive journey from Associate to Partner in the Private Equity team. Can you walk us through your time with us?
MC: It’s a pleasure. I joined BC Partners as a 24-year-old Italian with a background predominantly in consulting at Bain & Company, where I focused on strategy and M&A work. While at Bain, I had the luck to work with the BC Partners team on the exit of one of their Italian deals, an investment called Galbani, which turned out to be a huge success for BC Partners. I guess they saw me in action and after we completed the Galbani exit, I was fortunate enough to join the team at BC.
Looking back, I’ve grown alongside the firm. Nineteen years at BC Partners is nearly half of the firm’s life, and over that time, I’ve definitely seen it evolve. When I started, the firm was still anchored around its founding partners. It had a stellar reputation, having completed landmark transactions across Europe, with an obvious entrepreneurial DNA and family-like approach to people.
Fast forward to today, I’m working on my fifth fund, and the industry has evolved significantly. Competition is fiercer, and private equity has become much more sophisticated. I’ve seen the firm institutionalise, professionalise, and adapt while maintaining a strong sense of its values. At BC Partners, there is a mentality of constant improvement, one that permeates the entire organisation and makes younger execs feel empowered. This is something I have truly valued throughout my career.
But through all these changes, one thing has remained constant – the core DNA of the firm, the spark that was there when I joined, is still alive and well. Our DNA is a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit, agility, and flexibility. We’ve grown into a large institution, which I’m proud of, but we’ve worked hard to preserve the tight-knit, people-focused team culture that’s always been at the heart of BC Partners. It’s this balance that has been key to our success, and it’s something we continue to nurture.
“We’ve grown into a large institution, which I’m proud of, but we’ve worked hard to preserve the tight-knit, people-focused team culture that’s always been at the heart of BC Partners. It’s this balance that has been key to our success, and it’s something we continue to nurture.”
Do you think it’s this culture that allows people to build long-term careers at BC Partners?
MC: Absolutely. The entrepreneurial spirit is embedded in everything we do, from the way we deal with entrepreneurs and managers, the way we work with advisors to the way we engage with our LPs and internal teams. Individuals who thrive in this environment are typically those excited by challenges and eager to take on responsibility, often before they might feel fully ready. That’s how you grow at BC Partners, by embracing challenges and being willing to learn from them.
“Individuals who thrive in this environment are typically those excited by challenges and eager to take on responsibility, often before they might feel fully ready. That’s how you grow, by embracing challenges and being willing to learn from them.”
BC Partners is focused on its core sectors and has a strong local presence in Europe. Has this provided you with opportunities to explore different industries, while also allowing you to focus on Italy as one of your key markets?
MC: When I joined BC Partners, one of my goals was to cultivate and maintain an open mind and build a global career. Such desire for a broad, international perspective shaped my journey from the start. Early in my career, I worked as a generalist, which allowed me to explore a wide variety of sectors, from healthcare to TMT, from retail to consumer goods, and beyond. This broad exposure helped me develop a deep understanding of investing, regardless of the sector, and what constitutes a true ‘BC deal’.
As I progressed, I increasingly gained expertise in the food and healthcare sectors, and over time, these became my primary focus areas.
This experience was further enhanced by BC Partners’ global presence, one of the key factors that attracted me to the firm. Looking back, I’ve been lucky enough to work on deals not only in Italy but also in the UK, Turkey, in Sweden and with a company listed on the NASDAQ.
Such international experience has been incredibly valuable. Today’s markets are particularly interconnected, and having had exposure to different sectors, geographies and cultures is essential for successful investing.
You did an MBA whilst at BC Partners, how important do you think an MBA is and would you recommend it to those starting their career now?
MC: I always aimed at broadening my horizons and ensuring I would build an international career. Alongside my professional experience and existing, great position at BC Partners, I thought an MBA would benefit my progression in the long term. Many of the senior team at BC Partners had done an MBA, and at the time, I found valuable support from people in the firm. Even today, if you ask me, I’m one of those who think that the benefits of doing an MBA are huge and go beyond just the network you build or what you study in class. Those two years influence the way you interact with people, especially of different cultures, and the way you approach and tackle complex issues. I see it as a priceless experience.
Finally, do you have any advice for young professionals entering the world of private equity?
MC: My advice would be to prioritise learning. To favour a firm that allows you to evaluate as many investment opportunities as possible, and where there is a strong culture of collaboration, teamwork and training. And then to invest in your own brand and building meaningful relationships. Private equity is a long term, broad and complex game; and developing a strong toolkit of skills and a solid network will be the foundation for success.
And if they are lucky, they can find a firm like BC where they can also enjoy the journey. Because in this industry, the path is long and demanding, and if you’re not energised by the day-to-day, even the biggest wins can feel hollow.
