From Wall Street’s wild recruiting arms race to the collapse of KKR’s £4bn Thames Water rescue, Anthony and Stephen unravel the biggest private equity stories shaping markets right now.

They unpack why PE firms are hiring grads five years early (and why J.P. Morgan’s furious), the 35% drop in global fundraising, and what it means for the industry’s future. Plus: Salesforce bets $8bn on Informatica in a bold AI data play, and after 717 days of drama, the Telegraph sale finally nears the finish line.

Essential listening for anyone navigating the high-stakes world of M&A, private equity power moves, and the politics behind billion-dollar deals.

(00:00) Intro & Themes in Focus

(01:55) What Makes a Good LBO Candidate

(04:54) Recruiting Mania in Private Equity

(14:16) KKR and Thames Water Update

(21:06) Private Equity Fundraising Trends

(30:33) Telegraph Acquisition Insights

(34:34) Salesforce's Acquisition of Informatica