Ramón Arocena

Ramón Arocena joined Advent in 2008 and subsequently rejoined the firm in 2021. He is a Managing Director in Madrid and advises mainly on investments in the industrial and technology sectors. Ramón has advised on nine investments during his career, four while at Advent.

Prior to rejoining Advent, Ramón worked for Peninsula Capital, a private equity firm based in London that focuses on opportunities in Southern Europe, from 2015 to 2021. Earlier in this career, Ramón worked at EY in Madrid.

Ramón holds a BSc in Business Administration from CUNEF business school and a master’s degree in Corporate Finance from the University of California, Berkeley.

 

How has living in your region impacted your perspective on investing?

Spain is a market where personal relationships hold great value. Advent has forged strong connections with Spanish entrepreneurs and business leaders by maintaining a consistent local presence, enabling us to uncover hidden potential and envision transformative growth opportunities.

Advent’s established presence enhances access to platform investments and bolt-on acquisitions bolstered by trust-based relationships developed over time. This strategy reflects Peter Brooke’s vision of merging deep sector expertise with a solid local presence. By embedding ourselves in the Spanish ecosystem, we have cultivated enduring relationships and developed a thorough understanding of the local market dynamics.

How do you partner with management teams?

We focus on aligning with management teams to elevate businesses through shared ambitions and complementary partnerships. We emphasize effective communication and investing time in understanding management teams personally and professionally, which is crucial for driving meaningful change. We are passionate about partnering with visionary CEOs and management teams who are product and customer experts, data-driven, and focused on value creation. The firm is excited to help these teams scale, reach significant milestones, and accelerate their growth trajectory.

How have you seen Advent’s culture of collaboration drive impact both internally and at portfolio companies?

Almost all our deals require global collaboration between sectors or regions. Advent fosters an environment where collaboration is a core principle, driving the firm’s success across our global operations. This ethos is evident in the willingness of team members to support each other, focusing on collective problem-solving rather than individual gain.

How do you challenge yourself and others to improve continuously?

While Advent has deep expertise, I recognize there is always more to learn, so I foster a culture of listening and learning from everyone I interact with, including portfolio companies and partners. Advent’s distinct culture is rooted in humility, a value that permeates leadership throughout the organization. Moving from good to excellent requires dedication and relentless curiosity, and I value diverse perspectives within my team to drive better outcomes. The knowledge pool at Advent is immense.

What would you be doing if you weren’t in this profession?

There are many other professions I would turn my hand to. In my spare time, I work as a professor at a university in Madrid, helping students become familiar with private equity. I enjoy educating young minds, sharing my knowledge, giving back, and hopefully inspiring future entrepreneurs and investment professionals. I am a fan of football, and if I weren’t doing this, I’d probably be coaching children’s football teams.