From McKinsey to Building Hungary's Leading Investment Banking Boutique

What does it take to create one of the most successful investment banking boutiques in Central & Eastern Europe, and develop an entirely new buyer universe along the way?

In this episode, Gábor Szendrői, Co-founder and Co-managing partner at Concorde MB Partners - IMAP Hungary, shares how he established a market-leading advisory firm through long-term thinking, entrepreneurial leadership, and innovative deal origination.

After a decade at McKinsey and an early career in investment banking, he returned to Hungary to launch a boutiqueand pioneer an innovative Management Buy-In (MBI) model.

We explore:
• Why building relationships, not just closing deals, is the foundation of successful origination.
• How the Management Buy-In (MBI) model creates an entirely new buyer universe.
• Why investment bankers should think long-term when building their careers and businesses.
• How changing buyer behaviour reshaped the mid-market M&A landscape across Central & Eastern Europe.

He also shares powerful insights on:

• Transitioning from execution to origination and developing a sustainable deal pipeline.
• Building a network of thousands of executives through consistent, long-term relationship building.
• Creating a differentiated brand through thought leadership, publications, and client engagement.
• Why psychology, trust, and human relationships remain at the heart of successful dealmaking, even in the age of AI.

Including lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, business development, networking, and building a sustainable competitive advantage in investment banking.

If you're an investment banker, M&A advisor, private equity professional, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader looking to strengthen your origination skills and accelerate your career, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of Europe's most innovative boutique investment banking leaders.

Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/

Host: Peter Nieberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/)

Guest: Gábor Szendrői (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabor-szendroi-a74157/)

Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/)

Note: Concorde MB Partners – IMAP Hungary (https://www.imap.com/en)