Inflexion was delighted to welcome a further two interns from the 10,000 Interns Foundation to its offices this summer to provide an opportunity to engage with talented individuals and offer them valuable exposure to the dynamics of the private equity industry.
The annual Inflexion internship programme, now in its fifth year, aspires to introduce private equity to a diverse group of ambitious young people in the early stages of their careers. It does so by offering direct, real-world exposure and professional experience directly alongside deal teams. Interns work with a number of people from the Inflexion team in a variety of areas to enable them to get involved in a variety of practical ways from research to assessing investment opportunities, from sitting in on board meetings and portfolio calls.
The Inflexion internship programme has welcomed twelve interns from the Foundation since its inception in 2020 and expects to welcome a further three interns during 2026;
We are perennially encouraged and impressed by the applicants we see each year. The programme introduces us to an array of inspiring individuals who are as ambitious as they are capable, and we are delighted when they report back on how they deem this such a meaningful opportunity with long-lasting impact.
Diverse backgrounds, diverse days
No two days as an Inflexion intern are the same. It might begin with checking emails and setting out a to-do list before joining the weekly Dealflow meeting, or preparing materials and agendas for company discussions. At other times, it could involve analysing investment documents to understand a business model, progressing a longer-term project such as building a debt lender portfolio, or simply taking the chance to connect with new colleagues across the firm.
This meaningful hands-on involvement leaves an impression on the interns. “I didn’t expect to be given as much responsibility as I was,” said an intern named Robbin. “From day one, I felt involved in real work that mattered, not just surface-level tasks, and I always felt like a genuine part of the team. That level of inclusion and exposure definitely surprised me in the best way.”
Interns were also offered the opportunity to participate in Inflexion’s charitable team-building endeavours, such as the Roundhouse Walk and Kinetic football tournament. “Overall, the experience was quite varied and this kept things interesting,” Robbin added.
People power
As in previous years, interns were surprised by the focus on people in an industry which is usually renowned for its financial focus. Robbin said, “It’s a lot more hands-on and strategic than I expected, and I’ve come to really appreciate the mix of commercial, financial, and people-side thinking that’s involved.” Another intern, Noah, was impressed with the emphasis Inflexion places on relationships. “I now understand the importance of relationship management in private equity, although you may not think a deal is not a right fit now maintaining relationships aids in pursuing other deals in the future.”
Intended to provide long-lasting impact, the programme is one that participants are annually positive about. “It’s made a big difference, I feel like I now look at businesses and financials through a much more practical lens,” Robbin explained. “I’ll be better equipped to ask the right questions and spot what actually matters commercially, not just what looks good on paper. This experience has given me a really strong foundation to build on going forward.”
The programme’s ability to foster critical thinking was mentioned by Noah: “I now have an investment mindset which is something I aim to continue to develop. In addition to this, I have been able to speak to a lot of people across the firm and have received a lot of advice on skills to develop. This input will undoubtedly be helpful throughout my career and beyond my time at Inflexion. My experience has definitely built up my confidence in networking and building relationships in a professional setting.”
