Key Takeaways
- • Michele Rabà, former Lead Partner of European Private Equity at Apollo Global Management, will join Blackstone in April 2026 to lead the firm's European corporate private equity operations.
- • Rabà succeeds Lionel Assant, who has held the role since 2012 and has been promoted to Global Co-Chief Investment Officer, signaling continued advancement within Blackstone's leadership hierarchy.
- • The hire represents a significant leadership shift in European private equity, bringing an executive with 16 years of Apollo experience (joined 2010) and prior Goldman Sachs background to manage Blackstone's flagship European PE activities.
- • Rabà will be based in London and will oversee Blackstone's corporate private equity investments across Europe, a critical region for the mega-fund manager's alternative asset operations.
Summary
Blackstone has appointed Michele Rabà as head of European private equity, effective April 2026, marking a significant leadership transition for the buyout giant's European operations. Rabà, who most recently served as Lead Partner for European Private Equity at Apollo Global Management, will replace Lionel Assant, who has held the position since 2012 and has been elevated to Global Co-Chief Investment Officer.
Rabà brings substantial experience in European private equity markets, having spent the past 16 years at Apollo beginning in 2010. Prior to joining Apollo, he worked at Goldman Sachs, building a career spanning two of the industry's most prominent institutions. Based in London, he will oversee Blackstone's corporate private equity activities across Europe, managing the firm's flagship PE platform in the region.
The appointment reflects Blackstone's strategy to strengthen its European leadership bench while maintaining continuity in the region. Assant's promotion to Global Co-Chief Investment Officer indicates Blackstone's confidence in the depth of its investment leadership, while bringing in Rabà from a competing mega-manager signals the firm's commitment to attracting top-tier talent to drive European expansion and deal activity. The April 2026 start date allows for a structured transition period as Blackstone prepares for the leadership change in one of its core investment regions.
Rabà brings substantial experience in European private equity markets, having spent the past 16 years at Apollo beginning in 2010. Prior to joining Apollo, he worked at Goldman Sachs, building a career spanning two of the industry's most prominent institutions. Based in London, he will oversee Blackstone's corporate private equity activities across Europe, managing the firm's flagship PE platform in the region.
The appointment reflects Blackstone's strategy to strengthen its European leadership bench while maintaining continuity in the region. Assant's promotion to Global Co-Chief Investment Officer indicates Blackstone's confidence in the depth of its investment leadership, while bringing in Rabà from a competing mega-manager signals the firm's commitment to attracting top-tier talent to drive European expansion and deal activity. The April 2026 start date allows for a structured transition period as Blackstone prepares for the leadership change in one of its core investment regions.
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