Mehdi Iraqi joined Advent in 2026 and is a Managing Director. He is a member of Advent’s Limited Partner Services Group and leads Advent’s fundraising and investor relations activities in the Middle East.

Prior to joining Advent, Mehdi was a Managing Director at AMG where he served as Head of Investor Relations for the Middle East. He was previously a Managing Director at Carlyle with primary coverage of institutional investors in the Middle East. Mehdi also held a position of Partner at BlueCrest Capital Management. Immediately following graduation, Mehdi worked within the Global Capital Markets group at Morgan Stanley in London.

Mehdi received a post graduate degree in financial markets from Université Paris Dauphine. He also holds a Diplôme Grande École from ESCP Business School.

What would you say about your experience of working with the firm?

Working with the firm has been highly rewarding. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with talented, driven colleagues in a culture that values integrity, partnership, and long-term thinking.

The exposure to complex situations has allowed me to grow professionally while contributing meaningfully to the firm’s success.

How do you challenge yourself and others to continuously improve?

I challenge myself by setting ambitious but realistic goals, actively seeking feedback, and staying close to global trends and best practices across our industry. With others, I encourage open dialogue, constructive feedback, and a culture of continuous learning, creating an environment where people feel empowered to innovate and raise standards.

“I challenge myself by setting ambitious but realistic goals, actively seeking feedback, and staying close to global trends and best practices across our industry.”

Mehdi Iraqi
Managing Director, Advent
Describe a pivotal experience that has shaped your career

A pivotal experience in my career was engaging with investors during a major market downturn. It reinforced the importance of resilience, proactive communication, and transparency, and showed me how trust is built through consistency and honesty—especially in challenging periods.

If you weren’t in this profession, what would you be doing?

If I weren’t in this profession, I would likely be involved in sport, ideally as a football or tennis manager. Tennis has always been a personal passion of mine. I’m drawn to the discipline, strategy, and constant pursuit of improvement that high-level sport demands.

Tomohide Handa joined Advent in 2026 and is a Partner / Managing Director and Head of Japan, leading our Tokyo office. He advises on investments in the consumer and healthcare sectors. Tomohide has advised on eight investments during his career across the Business financial services, consumer, healthcare, and technology sectors.

Prior to joining Advent, Tomohide was a Partner and member of the investment committee at D Capital.

Tomohide received a Bachelor of Law from Keio University, Tokyo. 

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

Living and working in Japan has reinforced my belief that people and culture are central to sustainable, long-term value creation. Harmony and shared purpose shape how organizations operate here, and when teams unite around a common vision, outcomes are significantly stronger. As an investor, I’ve learned that transformation cannot be imposed in a way that disrupts collective purpose. The most enduring value is created by working from within – understanding an organization’s culture, sharing its ambition, and advancing together with trust and continuity.

How do you see Advent’s approach resonating with Japanese companies?

Trust, long-term orientation, and sector expertise matter deeply in Japan. Advent’s sector-focused model and low-ego culture align well with these priorities. The role of the local team is to embed Advent’s strengths in a way that truly works in Japan – respecting local practices, building lasting relationships, and helping companies access global markets, talent, and capabilities.

“Trust, long-term orientation, and sector expertise matter deeply in Japan. Advent’s sector-focused model and low-ego culture align well with these priorities.”

Tomohide Handa
Managing Director, Advent
Since you began your career, what’s changed the most or least about the industry?

When I started my career, private equity was still establishing itself as a credible source of liquidity in Japan. Over time, the value that private equity brings – strategic guidance, capital for geographic expansion, a broader ecosystem of resources – has become much more visible and widely understood. This shift reflects the steady track record the industry has built in the Japanese market. At the same time, as more firms have entered the market and competition has intensified, each firm is increasingly required to re-examine its role and continue evolving.

How do you partner with management teams?

I see management teams as long-term partners, sharing some of the most pivotal years of their professional journeys. Our partnership goes far beyond investment strategy or financial metrics – it’s about aligning personal aspirations and long-term goals with the company’s direction. From the outset, I work to establish a shared vision. Once that’s in place, I prioritize thoughtful delegation over intervention, ensuring management teams have the resources, talent, and global reach they need to succeed.

Will joined Advent in 2025 and is a member of Advent’s Limited Partner Services Group and is primarily focused on investor relations and fundraising activities.

Prior to joining Advent, Will worked at Moelis as an investment banker on their Technology team.

Will received a BA in Economics and Psychology from Dartmouth College.

Janice Leung joined Advent in 2025 and is an Associate in Shanghai. She advises on investments in the consumer and healthcare sectors.

Prior to joining Advent, Janice worked at Deutsche Bank in Hong Kong, under their Diversified Industries Group.

Janice graduated with First Class Honors in BBA in Professional Accountancy from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Niclas Sonnenschein joined Advent in 2025 and is an Analyst in Frankfurt. He acts as an advisor in the German-speaking region.

Prior to joining Advent, Niclas worked in the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs.

Niclas holds a BA in Business Administration and an MA in Banking and Finance, both from the University of St. Gallen.

Nele Theilacker joined Advent in 2025 and is an Analyst in Frankfurt. She acts as an advisor in the German-speaking region.

Prior to joining Advent, Nele worked as an Analyst at Deutsche Private Equity.

Nele holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Bayreuth, a BSc in Political Science from the Technical University of Munich, an MSc in International Finance, and a CEMS MSc in International Management from Nova School of Business and Economics.

Atharva Surange joined Advent in 2025 and is a Senior Associate primarily focused on Industrials and Healthcare investments in India.

Prior to joining Advent, Atharva worked in the private equity investment team at CVC Capital Partners and True North (India-based leading domestic PE) as an Investment Analyst.

Atharva received a Bachelor in Technology in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay).

JP joined Advent in 2025 and is an Associate in New York. He advises on investments in the business & financial services sector.

Prior to joining Advent, JP worked at Moelis & Company as an Analyst, focusing on the business services sector.

JP received a BS in Economics, summa cum laude, from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Anna joined Advent in 2025 and is an Associate in Palo Alto. She advises on investments in the technology sector.

Prior to joining Advent, Anna worked at Bain & Company, where she focused on commercial due diligence and corporate strategy projects across the private equity, technology, and social impact practice groups in San Francisco.

Anna received a BA in Economics and Political Science, cum laude, from Columbia University.

Sihguat joined Advent in 2025 and is an Associate in New York. He advises on investments in the technology sector.

Prior to joining Advent, Sihguat worked at Centerview Partners as an Investment Banking Analyst.

Sihguat received a BS in Computer Science and a MS in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University.

Matias joined Advent in 2025 and is an Associate in Palo Alto. He advises on investments in the technology sector.

Prior to joining Advent, Matias worked in the Technology Group at Morgan Stanley in Menlo Park.

Matias received a BS in Economics, magna cum laude, from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Jessica joined Advent in 2025 and is an Associate in Boston. She advises on investments in the business & financial services sector.

Prior to joining Advent, Jessica worked at the Boston Consulting Group, where she focused on engagements in the private equity and TMT practices.

Jessica received a BA in Economics from Harvard College.