Emma Simons

Company: Bencis
Job Description: Investment Manager Bencis
Age: 28
Years of working experience in M&A: 4 years (3 years M&A, 1 Year PE at Bencis)

What are the specialties of this talent?
Although Emma has only been with Bencis for a short time, she stands out for her exceptionally broad skill set. She combines financial and strategic analysis with strong project management abilities and an excellent understanding of human dynamics in transactions. Rather than limiting herself to a single niche, she has proven to be a true all-rounder, seamlessly shifting between commercial due diligence, financial modelling, investment analysis, and stakeholder communication.

How does the talent distinguish itself from its peers?
Emma combines sharp analytical thinking with a natural sensitivity to people and situations. This allows her not only to excel on a technical level but also to foster genuine connection within and beyond the team. Her maturity and versatility enable her to operate at the level of far more experienced professionals, despite her relatively short tenure. The combination of intellectual sharpness, natural authority, and personal approachability makes her stand out as a leading talent among her generation.

What impact does the talent have within the organization?
In a short period of time, Emma has made a visible and meaningful contribution to the team. She played a central role in the closing of the investment in Cadac, taking on key responsibilities both in the analytical and execution phases. In addition, she was of great value to the Fundraising Team of Bencis Fund VII, which successfully closed in a single round,  an achievement to which her dedication, coordination skills, and eye for detail directly contributed. Her impact goes well beyond what one would typically expect from a young professional.

What impact does the talent have outside the organization?
Emma also creates impact beyond Bencis. She maintains strong relationships with advisors, entrepreneurs, and investors, consistently leaving a lasting impression through her professionalism, accessibility, and personal touch. Her engagement contributes to Bencis’ positive reputation as an involved, knowledgeable, and trustworthy investment partner. Moreover, Emma is actively committed to supporting the next generation of financial talent. As an alumna of the Master in Finance & Investments program in Rotterdam, she remains involved with the university, sharing her experiences, learning curve, and career path in private equity with current students. Through this, she serves as an inspiring role model for young professionals entering the industry.

To what extent does the talent make a difference when working with clients?
Emma naturally builds trust with entrepreneurs and management teams. Her open and sincere communication style fosters constructive collaboration, while her clear analyses and well-founded reasoning help guide strategic direction. The combination of empathy, professionalism, and analytical strength ensures that entrepreneurs and management teams feel heard and are confident in working together toward shared goals. In doing so, Emma embodies the collaborative and relationship-driven approach that defines Bencis’ way of doing business.

Why does the talent deserves this nomination?
Emma deserves this nomination because she has demonstrated exceptional professional and personal qualities in a remarkably short period of time. She approaches challenges outside her comfort zone with confidence and resilience, showing impressive flexibility. Even under pressure, she remains calm and thoughtful, always attentive to those around her and focused on maintaining strong relationships. Emma learns quickly from new experiences and effectively applies her insights in practice, consistently delivering high-quality work while driving innovation within the team. Her collaborative mindset and positive energy strengthen team dynamics. In short, she combines intellectual sharpness with emotional intelligence, qualities that not only make her an outstanding young professional, but also a future leader in the private equity sector.