PARAGON - Key Persons
Agnes joined Paragon in 2019. Before joining Paragon, Agnes worked for four years for BLL Braun Leberfinger Ludwig Unger PartGmbB as a tax assistant. There she gained a broad insight into the structures, accounting and tax characteristics of private equity funds in Germany and abroad.
Agnes holds a Master of Science FACT (Finance Accounting Controlling Taxation) from the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg.
Alice joined Paragon in 2023. The previous ten years, Alice worked for Avantgarde Experts and was in charge of setting up a new business unit for Management Development & Training. Prior to that, she was in charge of all temporary projects in the field of Marketing & Sales.
Alice holds a Bachelor Degree from the Munich Business School with stays abroad in Madrid and New York. Alice spends her free time with her young family, horseback-riding or in the mountains.
Job Titles:
- Director Value Creation & Sustainability
Andreas joined Paragon in 2021. Before joining Paragon he worked for Heraeus and The Linde Group. Besides managing several business lines, Andreas founded and built-up a digital start-up. Prior to that he worked as a Senior Consultant for Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.
Andreas graduated in business and engineering from Technical University of Munich (B.Sc.) with a semester spent at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He completed his studies at the University of St. Gallen (M.A.) and Nanyang Business School (MBA) in Singapore. Andreas spends most of his spare time in the nature - on his road bike, sailing or skiing.
Job Titles:
- Assistant to Partner and Investment Team
Anna joined Paragon in 2023. Before joining Paragon, she was Sales Manger at Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt, where she also completed her apprenticeship after graduating from school. She gained comprehensive experience in the luxury hotel segment and worked in Munich and Hamburg.
Anna is enthusiastic about sports and enjoys skiing, ski touring and hiking, but also Bikram Yoga & Pilates.
Björn joined Paragon in 2021. Before joining Paragon, he worked for DCCP Deutsche Credit Capital AG setting up a private debt fund. Prior to that, he worked in Leveraged Finance at IKB and WestLB structuring LBO transactions. He started his career at Ernst &Young in Transaction Advisory Services.
He holds a Diploma in International Business Studies from the International School of Management in Dortmund with stays abroad in Scotland, Singapore and Mexico. Björn lives near Munich spending his free time with his three kids playing tennis and hiking.
Christian joined Paragon in 2014. Previously, he worked for one year for a Munich based online startup as head of strategy and three years as a strategy consultant for McKinsey & Company.
Christian spent three years in the industrial manager training program of Siemens AG, holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences (B.A.) and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Christian joined Paragon in 2020. Before joining Paragon, he worked for GCA Altium in Munich, where he successfully advised on numerous national and international buy- and sell-side M&A transactions.
Christian studied at the Technical University of Munich and the Queensland University of Technology and holds a MSc. in Management & Technology (TUM-BWL). Outside of the office he enjoys anything that involves outdoor activities - preferably in the mountains or on the water
Christine joined Paragon in 2010. Before joining Paragon, she worked for KPMG Munich in the audit department and was in charge for clients in the industrial and commercial sector as well as in the Private Equity and Venture Capital industry.
Christine holds a Master´s degree in Business Administration from the Munich University of Applied Sciences. In 2009, she has been accredited as a tax adviser in Germany. Outside the office, Christine dedicates her time to her young family and is active in sports.
Christoph joined Paragon in 2018. Previously, he worked three years at the strategy consultancy Stern Stewart & Co. He advised clients from the sectors industrial goods, chemicals and high-tech in transactions, strategy developments as well as efficiency initiatives.
Christoph studied at the Technical University of Munich and holds a Master of Science in Technology Management (TUM-BWL). Outside the office, Christoph likes to be active in sports, either in the mountains or on the water - preferably together with his family.
Dorothea has been with Paragon since 2023. Prior to that, she worked in finance at commercetools in Munich for three years. She started her professional career at a tax consulting firm in Nuremberg.
Dorothea holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Science in FACT (Finance, Auditing, Controlling & Taxation) from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg.
In her spare time, Dorothea does indoor cycling, crossfit and loves cooking with her friends.
Job Titles:
- Director Value Creation & Sustainability
Benjamin joined Paragon in 2021. Before joining Paragon he worked for a leading testing, inspection and certification company where he headed the product management of the worldwide training business and led projects in corporate strategy. Prior to that, he built a team and a structured approach for sourcing buy & build platforms for AUCTUS Capital Partners. He started his career in restructuring at Roland Berger in Munich and Zurich.
Benjamin studied business administration in Passau with an exchange to Santiago de Compostela and wrote his doctoral thesis in finance at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Benjamin lectures in the Certified Private Equity Analyst program at TUM. He lives in Munich and spends his free time with his family and in triathlon training.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Partner
- Senior Partner
Edin is partner and co-founder of Paragon. Previously, Edin was with Triton, a European private equity firm with offices in Frankfurt, London and Stockholm, where he became partner in 2000 and was responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and structuring private equity transactions. Prior to joining Triton, Edin was with Drueker & Co. for two years, where he was responsible for advising on and arranging a wide range of transactions, including M&A, IPOs and leveraged buyouts. Edin was previously with Arthur Andersen for nearly three years in Transaction Services, Advisory and Corporate Finance Divisions, where he was involved in advising on and the structuring of a wide range of national and cross-border transactions and private equity investments.
Edin holds a PhD in International Tax Law and a Master's Degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Mannheim. In his spare time, Edin is an enthusiastic racing cyclist and is kept busy by his four lovely children.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Partner
- Senior Partner
Krischan is partner and co-founder of Paragon. Prior to founding Paragon he was at BZV Partners a family owned investment company responsible for restructuring a private portfolio of medium sized companies. Between 1999 and 2002 he headed the Corporate Development Department of Verlagsgruppe Holtzbrinck and was also responsible for strategy, operational improvement programs and M&A transactions. Beforehand, Krischan was with The Boston Consulting Group in their Munich, London and Australasian offices.
Krischan holds a Diploma in Industrial Engineering and Business Administration and a PhD in Economics from Technical University Darmstadt, Germany and Harvard University, USA. In his spare time, Krischan enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Director Value Creation & Sustainability
Gregor joined Paragon in 2019. The previous ten years, Gregor also focused on developing portfolio companies mainly in the area of growth. He started his career in the Inhouse Consulting Team at BASF in Germany, Singapore and North America followed by a commercial leadership position in the Crop Protection Business.
Gregor holds a Diploma in Business Administration and Economics from Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Besides spending time with the family, he enjoys doing sports. Gregor is also an avid light aircraft pilot.
Henrik joined Paragon in 2022. Before, he worked at Boston Consulting Group's Dusseldorf office for three years. In his role, he supported clients in the Financial Services, Energy Utilities and Automotive sector on strategy development, acquisitions and operational efficiency.
Ines joined Paragon in 2019. Previously, Ines worked as an assistant to a CEO of a private bank in Munich (Bankhaus Herzogpark AG). She has extensive experience in Fund Management and Private Wealth Management (Dr. Kohlhase Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH). As a personal assistant to a partner in a Private Equity Company (Orlando Management AG) she worked on various transactions.
Ines completed an apprenticeship at Deutsche Bank AG and qualified as business administrator (Bankfachwirtin) for Banking at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. She is a passionate Standard and Latin dancer. Ines also enjoys spending her free time with her twins in the mountains and with cycling.
Irene joined Paragon in 2015. Previously, Irene was a Consultant for international executive search firms. For clients, mainly private equity companies, she assessed and placed executives at their portfolio firms. Prior she spent over ten years with Apax Partners, advising European portfolio companies on management recruiting issues as well as general human resources topics.
Irene is a graduate from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, where she earned her master's degree in business administration. When not working, Irene spends as much time as possible with her family. She is passionate about art, literatur and music.
Job Titles:
- Assistant to Partner and Investment Team
Jamie joined Paragon in 2019. Previously, she worked as a sales manager at Travador, an online travel agency, and several years for the Kempinski Hotel Group in Germany, Austria and Malta.
After graduating from school, Jamie completed an apprenticeship in the hotel industry at Kempinski Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Munich. She is sociable and loves to spend time with her friends. Jamie is keen on sports and enjoys mountain biking and is always looking for new adventures.
Jan Oechsner - Chief Investment Officer
Jan joined Paragon in 2020. Before joining Paragon, he worked for British private equity firm Vitruvian Partners in Munich and London, where he successfully executed buyout and growth capital investments in Europe. Prior to that, Jan was a consultant at Bain & Company in Zurich.
Jan studied Banking & Finance at the University of St. Gallen (M.A.) and Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (B.Sc.) and has further completed exchange programs at Harvard University and ESCP Europe Paris. In his spare time, you will find Jan in the mountains - hiking in summer or on the slopes in winter.
Katja joined Paragon in 2017. Previously, she worked for Bain & Company with a primary focus on the private equity industry. She conducted a wide range of commercial due diligences across various industries and supported portfolio companies in strategy- and performance-projects.
Katja holds a Master's Degree from the ESB Business School in Reutlingen and completed exchange-programs at Harvard University and Portland State University. As passionate dressage rider, Katja spends most of her free time with her Hanoverian mare.
Katja has been with Paragon since 2023. Before joining Paragon, she worked as a Team Assistant in an ophthalmological practice in Munich.
She completed her vocational training as a Dental Assistant in Neumarkt/Oberpfalz. Privately, Katja spends a lot of time with her friends, doing sports or likes to go hiking in the mountains.
Lukas Gleim - Chief Investment Officer
Lukas joined Paragon in 2017. Before joining Paragon, Lukas worked at goetzpartners in Corporate Finance/M&A where he successfully advised on numerous mid-cap transactions.
Lukas studied at the University of Mannheim as well as Nanyang Business School, Singapore. He holds a Master's degree in Business Administration. Besides countless kilometers on the road bike, Lukas spends his spare time with his family and is on a continuous hunt for the perfect espresso.
Lukas Krauss - Chief Investment Officer
Lukas joined Paragon in 2021. Previously he worked as a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group in Munich and Sydney where he advised Private Equity firms on transactions and supported insurances, supermarkets, as well as industrial goods companies in strategy and digital topics.
He studied electrical engineering at Imperial College London (M.Eng.) and completed his MBA at INSEAD. Lukas is a passionate runner, spends much of his spare time in the mountains and continues to discover the world as a backpacker.
Marco joined Paragon as a Partner in 2010. Prior to joining Paragon, Marco was a partner since inception of Triton, a European Private Equity organization with offices in Frankfurt, Stockholm and London. Marco spent twelve years with Triton where he was involved in setting up Triton‘s German operations, negotiating, structuring and executing a number of private equity investments across many industries in Germany. Before Triton, Marco spent five years with Merrill Lynch International in London and Singapore where he was involved in several corporate finance, M&A, PE and IPOs across Europe and abroad.
Marco holds a Master`s Degree in Finance and Economics from European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel. In his spare time, Marco enjoys spending time with his three kids, playing tennis, skiing, hiking and jogging.
Nico joined Paragon in 2018. Before joining Paragon, he worked for Chequers Capital, one of the leading European private equity firms with offices in Paris and Munich. Nico started his career in the Investment Banking (M&A) divisions of JPMorgan and Macquarie Capital in Frankfurt and London.
Nico read Business Administration and Economics at the universities of Passau (MBA), Budapest (M.Sc) and Barcelona. In his spare time, you will find him either on the road, chasing some of his colleagues on a racing bike or in the mountains - mountaineering with his dog during summer, chasing the perfect line in the backcountry with his touring skis during winter.
Job Titles:
- Director Value Creation & Sustainability
Philipp joined Paragon in 2018. Before joining Paragon, he worked for the private equity firm Aurelius for seven years as operating partner, managing director and project manager in the portfolio companies. Before that, Philipp worked for three years as a consultant for the turnaround management consultancy Struktur Management Partner. Since then, Philipp has been responsible for numerous transformation, operational improvement and growth initiatives and has always supported companies in a variety of industries nationally as well as internationally with a focus on value creation.
In addition to his apprenticeship as a banker and stock broker at the private banking firm Ellwanger & Geiger, Philipp studied at the Catholic University of Ingolstadt-Eichstätt and the Brisbane University of Technology and earned his degree in business administration. As a former fieldhockey bundesliga player, Philipp is still extremely enthusiastic about sports and likes to spend his free time with his family and friends doing sports and outdoor activities.
Philippa joined Paragon in 2021. Prior to joining Paragon, Philippa worked for four years at McKinsey & Company in Hamburg, where she supported utilities in M&A and transformations as well as in strategy development around renewable energy.
Philippa studied business administration at WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management and earned her MBA at INSEAD.
Job Titles:
- Assistant to Partner and Investment Team
Pia joined Paragon in 2020. Before joining Paragon, she worked as a management trainee in online marketing at Online Birds GmbH.
After her apprenticeship at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof Munich and subsequent work in the upscale hotel industry in Germany and Switzerland, Pia completed a degree in tourism management at the University of Applied Sciences Munich. Pia likes to spend her spare time in the mountains - hiking in summer and skiing in winter.
Stefan joined Paragon in 2020. Prior to joining Paragon, he spent two years in London with US-American investment banking boutiques Evercore and Moelis & Company. During this time, he successfully advised on buy- and sell-side M&A transactions for financial sponsors and clients from the industrial, infrastructure and energy sectors.
Stefan holds an M.Sc. in Management from HEC Paris and studied at Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Singapore Management University (SMU). Stefan is an ambitious skier and snowboarder. In summer, you will find him in and around the mountain lakes near Munich.
Stefano joined Paragon in 2022. Before Paragon, he was with Neuberger Berman and was a Partner at Fondo Italiano d'Investimento. He started his career in 2002 and since then he has worked for several private equity funds specialising in investments in SMEs. During his private equity career, he successfully realized numerous mid-cap transactions of Italian companies, acting in some cases as board member.
Stefano graduated in Business Economics from the Università Cattolica in Milan and attended an executive education programme at INSEAD.
In the spare time, you can find Stefano playing tennis or skiing with the family, with whom he loves to travel all around the globe.
Job Titles:
- Assistant to Partner and Investment Team
Vanessa joined Paragon in 2021. Before joining Paragon, she was a Convention Sales Assistant at Holiday Inn in Munich. Furthermore, Vanessa worked as a Convention Assistant at the Akademie Deutscher Genossenschaften located in Hotel Schloss Montabaur.
At Hotel Schloss Montabaur, Vanessa also completed her apprenticeship as an event manager. Vanessa has a great passion for Lake Garda, which she loves to visit in the summer. She also likes to spend her spare time doing sports - for example skiing.
Viktoria joined Paragon in 2020. Previously, she worked in the tourism industry in Spain, Turkey and Austria.
After graduating from school, she completed an apprenticeship at Sofitel Hotel Munich Bayerpost. She then worked for Robinson Club and Club Aldiana as Receptionist, Event and Guest Relations Manager. In her spare time, Viktoria likes to be in the boxing ring or improves her footwork for ballroom dancing.