In our latest Quick Fire, we chat with ECI’s Investment Associate, Ludvig Hamilton, about his journey into private equity, the skills he’s honed since joining, and his dream life as Ash Ketchum.
Q: You’ve been at ECI for six months now. Has it been as expected?
My experience at ECI has been exactly what I hoped for. From my first interactions during the interview process, I could tell the culture here was something else, and that impression has only been reinforced since joining.
There’s a strong sense of collaboration, no sharp elbows, and a shared mindset of winning and losing as a team. Everyone is a real team player, and that’s been one of the standout aspects of my time here.
Q: With a background spanning investment banking and corporate finance, what skills have been the most valuable in your role at ECI?
Coming from the sell side, I was already familiar with many of the skills used in investment banking and corporate finance, but the way they’re applied on the buy side is quite different. Understanding how to construct and assess a buy side investment case with rigour has been a big and exciting shift for me. The process behind actually “legally” investing in a business, moving the money, and structuring transactions efficiently, has been a big learning experience.
I joined ECI just as they were executing four deals, so it was a real baptism of fire. It was fantastic to be able to dive straight in and support the Croud team.
Q: You’ve studied and worked internationally, how has that shaped your perspective?
Studying and working in different countries has given me useful perspectives and helped me adapt to different ways of working and communicating. I was born and raised in Sweden, but I’ve also spent time abroad, studying in Canterbury, UK, during high school, doing an internship in Zurich in 2015, and later living in Paris for half a year.
It gives you a more sensitive barometer for cultural nuances. One thing I’ve particularly noticed from living and working abroad is how people express themselves differently. In the UK, I’ve found that people choose their words very carefully. Other places can be much more direct, so you have to adjust to both, that can be very important.
Q: What excites you most about working with ambitious business leaders?
I find it really rewarding to see people succeed, whether that’s a management team I’m working with or my own team. I personally find success motivating, and I love seeing people rewarded for the outcomes they’ve worked hard to achieve. I feel that’s one of the best things about the industry. You’re part of the journey, helping shape plans and seeing them turn into real growth
Q: Any predictions for the European M&A market in 2025?
Looking at the Nordics, the last couple of years people have been cautious due to economic uncertainty, and that cautious approach has carried into 2025. Because of this, I expect the first half of the year to be fairly slow in terms of deal activity.
That said, there are growing signs that things are starting to pick up. Many LPs are looking for liquidity and with many private equity portfolios reaching maturity, I think the pressure to exit is building. Many investors have seemingly been holding off, but eventually, deals will need to happen. So, like the UK, I expect deal flow to improve in the second half of 2025, with 2026 looking stronger. I’ve noticed a clear increase in deal pitches, so I would expect market activity to be picking up towards the back end of the year.
Quick Fire with Ludvig:
If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be?
Ash Ketchum, would be fun to be a Pokémon trainer roaming the wild in search of new Pokémons.
What’s one food you could eat every day and never get bored?
It has to be a hamburger. There’s so much flexibility, whether it’s a classic cheeseburger, something loaded with toppings, or an entirely new flavour combination. There’s always a way to keep it interesting.
If you could visit any country you haven’t been to yet, where would it be?
Argentina has been on my list for a long time. I’d love to explore Patagonia and hike through the landscapes. It’s one of those trips I know I have to do at least once.
What’s your go-to way to unwind after a busy day?
Not the most exciting answer, but I love working out to clear my head and then cooking a proper meal. My go-to dish is bulgur wheat with coriander, served with boneless chicken legs cooked in honey and soy. Finished with a topping of Greek yoghurt.
