Dr. Maximilian Horster is co-head of Spencer Stuart’s Private Equity Practice in Germany and Austria. He advises private equity and venture capital firms on the evaluation and recruitment of senior investment professionals, capital raising experts and operational leaders. As a member of the firm’s Energy and Sustainability practices, he is also deeply engaged in executive search and leadership advisory within the energy transition space.
A former entrepreneur, Maximilian founded, scaled—with the support of private equity—and successfully exited a business, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges faced by his clients. He brings over two decades of industry experience to connecting top-tier talent with transformative roles.
Energy transition and sustainability expert, investment industry veteran and global thought leader
- Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Maximillian led a global sustainability data provider as business head, overseeing a multimillion-dollar P&L and a team of 600+.
- He founded and built a company that became the global leader in energy transition and climate impact data for the investment sector.
- Maximillian held roles in a global investment firm and politics, and consulted European policymakers on financial market regulation.
Maximilian holds a Ph.D. in history and a Master of Philosophy in European studies from the University of Cambridge. He has authored numerous publications and is a frequent global speaker on investment, energy transition and ESG topics. His career spans Germany, Switzerland, the UK, the U.S., Canada and Japan.