As we gear up for this year’s AHC, one session already generating serious buzz is the private equity panel on the Investment & Finance Stage on Tuesday morning. The conversations with panellists ahead of the event have made one thing crystal clear: hospitality investment is in a constant state of reinvention—and 2025 is no exception.
Private equity players across the UK still see the sector as an attractive bet but strategies are shifting fast. Traditional buy–fix–sell models are under pressure. As one panellist summed it up: “It’s as hard to sell as it is to buy.”
Shifting strategies and sharper competition
Fund managers are no longer sticking to the sidelines of deals. They’re stepping in mid-cycle, taking on asset management responsibilities, and devising capital solutions that help de-risk complex structures. It’s a sign that hospitality has truly become mainstream for private equity portfolios, and that investors need to be nimbler than ever.
UK vs Europe: two very different games
The UK remains the beating heart of the action, offering liquidity and transparency that continental markets can’t always match. Yet the dynamics differ sharply across Europe, where distressed deals and competitive landscapes take on their own shape. For opportunistic funds, the UK still stands out for its scale and depth of product.
Partnerships that make or break deals
Operators remain central to the equation. Many investors still prefer third-party management agreements for their flexibility, but leases are not off the table when they help manage entry risk. More than anything, panellists emphasise the human factor: trust and chemistry between capital and operators are often the difference between a deal happening or stalling.
Exits: rewriting the playbook
If there’s one headline for today’s market, it’s that exits are no longer straightforward. With traditional core buyers far less active, funds are exploring secondary trades, portfolio strategies and other creative pathways to liquidity. Expect this to be one of the most talked-about topics at AHC.
Meet the speakers
Guiding us through these pressing issues will be:
- Pierre-Edouard Vintrou, industry expert (Host)
- Jens Blomdahl, principal at KSL Capital Partners
- Andreea Bodea, investment director at Pygmalion Capital
- Puneet Kanuga, chief investment officer at EQ Group
- Jon Asumendi, senior vice president, acquisitions at Starwood Capital
This is going to be one of the most insightful sessions of the programme exploring how leading private equity investors adapt in real time. If you want to get inside perspectives from the people shaping the deals, make sure you register for the AHC now.