Xiaoni Shi

Xiaoni Shi joined Advent in 2025 and is a Managing Director in Hong Kong. She is a member of Advent’s Limited Partner Services Group and leads Advent’s fundraising and investor relations activities in Asia Pacific.

Prior to joining Advent, Xiaoni was a Partner at Apax and served as Head of Investor Relations for Asia Pacific from 2018 to 2024. She was previously a Principal at Campbell Lutyens with primary coverage of investors and fund managers in Japan and China. Xiaoni has also held positions at Shining Capital and Squadron Capital Advisors Limited, where she gained experience of both direct and funds of funds investments, as well as investor relations. Immediately following graduation, Xiaoni worked within the investment banking divisions of UBS and Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong.

Xiaoni received a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

What would you like external stakeholders to say about the experience of working with Advent?

We highly value collaboration as a private partnership and champion this internally and externally. We work hand in hand with our broad network, portfolio companies, and investors, allowing us to focus on creating value while maintaining long-lasting partnerships and providing client service.

How do you connect and engage with Advent’s global network?

My role is to be the bridge between our limited partners and the firm. At Advent, we are fortunate to have a vast global network that offers diverse perspectives. When engaging with stakeholders, I prioritize intellectual honesty and transparent communication while considering cultural differences. I also aim to actively engage with my colleagues across regions and functions, sharing my knowledge of the investor landscape to learn from one another and deliver on our commitment to our stakeholders.

What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it?

Early in my career, I would shy away from discussing negative feedback, but I have learned to own and grow from my mistakes in the spirit of intellectual honesty. Sharing learnings from past mistakes without fearing negative consequences is crucial to personal growth. At Advent, everyone from the top down regularly shares insights on what works well and what we can improve as we pursue enhanced individual and collective performance.

What is one thing that has surprised you about working at Advent?

Even though Advent is a global organization, everyone shares a common understanding of the firm’s culture and values. Everything is based on consensus, and everyone in the firm subscribes to that approach. It is an iterative decision-making process observed from region to region, with regular dialogue and a willingness to learn from each other.

Do you have a favorite quote?

I live by two quotes: “Give it your best and no regrets,” and “You never know unless you try.” These quotes are imbued into my daily life in a variety of ways. I put 100% into what I can control, and pursue the best outcome available for our limited partners by working in partnership with my team.