Some interesting people moves in the world of family offices

Over the last month, there have been some notable people moves involving private investment officers. Here are three of them.

Rajaa Mekouar-Schneider, the president of the Luxembourg Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, is now working for a “substantial single-family office” of a Luxembourg entrepreneurial family. Mekouar-Schneider isn’t disclosing the name of the family office at this point, but told Family Capital that she will be: “managing the portfolio of an established Luxembourg family.”

Mekouar-Schneider previously worked for Kharis Capital, the family-backed private equity group set up by Daniel Grossmann and Manuel Roumain. Armed with an INSEAD MBA, Mekouar-Schneider is fast establishing herself as one of the top private equity specialists in the world of family capital. And her contacts at the LPEA – Luxembourg has one of the most thriving family offices sectors in Europe – further cements her private market credentials.

Boaz Sidikaro, a former hedge fund manager for Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, has been appointed to head up Perot Investment, the investment office for the Perot family. Sidikaro sent more than 20 years at Och-Ziff. In his new job, he will also be chief investment office. Sidikaro replaces Steve Blasnik as president, who will stay on as a senior adviser to Perot Investments. Blasnik is one of Family Capital’s 25 Consigliere – Family Offices Most Trusted Advisers. The Perot family might expect the same loyalty from Sidikaro, and given he spent such a long time at Daniel Och’s hedge fund, he certainly shows he has the wherewithal to make that sort of commitment.  

Michael Kratsios, who has been promoted to the position of chief technology officer for the Trump administration from deputy CTO, use to work for Peter Thiel’s investment office, Thiel Capital, before taking a top job in government. Working with one of tech’s most successful entrepreneurs will no doubt bring prospective to Kratsios’ new job. Governments across the world should take note – some of the most dynamic people are working for private investment officers. Their business expertise would be invaluable to any government.