Private equity fund launches investigation into allegations of cheating, racism

Partners Group, a Swiss-based private equity firm with around $150bn in assets under management, has been hit by allegations of cheating and racism in its recruitment process. 

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The fund is recruiting for its 2025 European financial analyst program, and recently ran an assessment centre at a location outside Zug. Following the recruitment process, it says it was contacted by a whistleblower, alerting it to both cheating and racist language. 

Speaking anonymously to eFinancialCareers, one attendee at the assessment centre says cheating was rife because this year's case study was identical to last year's. "Prior years' analysts were helping friends get through the process this year," he says. "Plus, you can now buy the case study online through Telegram using Bitcoin."

A spokesperson for Partners Group says: "We have launched an investigation into allegations of cheating during one component of the Superday, the LBO test, and, depending on the findings, will take appropriate action."

Individuals involved in the assessment centre claim the interviewer was also openly racist, allegedly saying that the firm is less interested in D&I than London firms and using the "n" word during the interview process. 

The Partners Group spokesperson said: "We are investigating allegations that select individuals did not adequately reflect Partners Group’s proud stance as an equal opportunity employer which has built a business based on a diversity of perspectives, skills, experience and backgrounds among our employees, during the recruitment process." 

She added that: "Any Partners Group employee found to have behaved in a manner that does not reflect our culture or values or meet the required standards of behaviour enshrined in our Policies will face serious consequences, including possible termination of employment."  

Partners Group has nine partners, two of whom are women. All are white.

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