Steve Varley named Senior Advisor at Warburg Pincus in Europe
Steve Varley has been appointed as Senior Advisor at Warburg Pincus to support the private equity firm's European Industrials and Business Services group.
Varley joins Warburg Pincus after more than thirty years in the professional services sector, bringing experience from senior leadership roles at EY and a current position as Chairman of Unity Advisory, a firm within the Warburg Pincus portfolio. His new responsibilities will include a focus on professional services and companies at the intersection of services and technology, in addition to working across the Warburg Pincus global platform.
Extensive sector experience
Throughout his career, Varley has led and transformed large-scale enterprises. While at EY, he served as Global Vice Chair, Sustainability, where he advised multinational clients on sustainability and long-term value creation. Previously, as Chairman and Managing Partner for UK & Ireland at EY, he managed over 20,000 professionals, overseeing growth and strategic direction. Varley's remit also included leadership as Managing Partner for Consulting in Northern Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa, and participation in the EMEIA Executive Board and the Global Practise Group, helping set the firm's global strategy.
His career has also encompassed advisory and non-executive roles beyond EY. Varley has acted as a business advisor to two Prime Ministers and as a Special Advisor to the United Nations. He currently chairs the boards of DWF Group and the Liverpool Football Club Foundation, in addition to his work with Unity Advisory.
Supporting services and technology
"I have long admired Warburg Pincus's thesis-led approach, global and growth-oriented mindset, and long-term investment philosophy. Having worked with the team first-hand through my role in Unity Advisory, I'm excited to continue working with Warburg Pincus to identify and grow exceptional businesses in the services space, particularly as technology and innovation continue to reshape the industry," said Steve Varley.
Varley's appointment reflects an emphasis on finding opportunities in the evolving professional services landscape, particularly where digital services and technology are converging.
Perspective from Warburg Pincus
"Steve's deep sector expertise, global leadership experience, and strong relationships across the services ecosystem make him an invaluable addition to Warburg Pincus. He has been a trusted advisor to CEOs, Boards and government, and his insights will help shape our investment theses and deepen our reach in high-growth segments of the services ecosystem," said David Reis, Managing Director, Industrials and Business Services, Warburg Pincus.
Warburg Pincus, with assets under management reported at USD $86 billion and a global portfolio spanning over 220 companies, has indicated that Varley's advisory role is designed to strengthen its capabilities in value creation and deal origination, especially within the European market for industrials and business services. The firm states that Varley's knowledge of both public and private sector organisations, as well as experience at the intersection of sustainability, professional services, and technology, will inform its approach as it identifies new investment opportunities.
Varley's transition to the advisory position also results from his existing collaboration with Warburg Pincus through Unity Advisory, aligning the two organisations' objectives in professional services. The firm points to his experience with CEOs, boards, and governmental bodies as critical for identifying and growing businesses in markets impacted by technological change.
Warburg Pincus has described the appointment as a step to enhance its access to high-growth market segments within business services, supporting both the firm and the companies in which it invests.