EQT Partners Asia Chair Highlights Nord Anglia Investment Success, Valuation Grows to $14B Since 2007

According to Morgan Stanley's podcast 'Hard Lessons,' Jean-Eric Salata, Asia chairman of global private equity firm EQT Partners, shared on July 13 his core investment philosophy: maintaining an 'infinite mindset' and 'healthy paranoia' to sustain long-term returns. He emphasized that success in one fund can be instantly erased by a single mismanaged deal, requiring investors to continuously learn and remain competitive.

Salata highlighted Nord Anglia Education, an international school operator, as a key success case. EQT acquired the company in 2007–2008 when the Asian international education market was largely overlooked. Through active M&A, the firm expanded Nord Anglia's school count from 6 to over 90, growing its enterprise value from approximately $300–400 million to over $14 billion.