30 Jul 2026

Kea Consultants Expands to the US, Anchored in Miami to Track a Multi-City Talent Shift

Global search firm opens Miami office with a New York outpost, marking its first US operations and a statement of intent on where buy-side talent is heading next.

Miami, FL – 30th July 2026 – Kea Consultants, the global search firm specialising in placing investment professionals from Analyst to Partner level, today announced the launch of its United States operations. Headquartered in Miami, with a second base in New York City, it’s the firm’s first permanent foothold in the US market, and a major milestone in its international expansion.

The timing is deliberate as the US private capital talent market has entered a new phase: firms are navigating macroeconomic uncertainty; significant geopolitical shifts are underway; and AI continues to have a growing impact. This means that demand has become increasingly focused on experienced investment professionals who can generate value, navigate complexity, and help firms capitalise on emerging opportunities.

Alongside this, while junior “on-cycle” recruitment has become less prevalent, demand for experienced investment professionals has grown sharply, particularly at mid-to-senior levels, creating intense competition for proven talent. At the same time, funds are embedding greater operational flexibility as they increasingly build their teams across multiple cities, also giving them access to broader talent pools.

Few cities illustrate that shift better than Miami. Since 2020, the city has attracted a growing number of private equity funds, hedge funds, and family offices, cementing its reputation as one of the fastest-growing hubs for alternative investment firms in the US. This continued growth has reinforced Miami’s position as a key destination for investment firms seeking access to talent in an increasingly more dynamic financial ecosystem.

New York, meanwhile, remains the anchor of the US private capital industry. It is still home to the largest concentration of private equity funds and buy-side talent in the country and continues to set the pace for the market. A dedicated New York presence gives Kea direct access to that density of firms and candidates and ensures the firm can serve clients at the centre of the industry with the same rigour it brings to newer, fast-growing hubs.

A Multi-City Future for US Talent

“Whether in North America or in Europe, the buy-side is no longer a single-city ecosystem,” said Kadeem Houson, CEO of Kea Consultants. “The next decade won’t be defined by one financial hub, but by firms that can attract exceptional talent wherever it chooses to build its career. The firms that win in this market will be those that anticipate where talent is going, not where it’s been. Our role is to help them stay ahead of that curve.”

Leading that charge on the ground is Ben Keller, Partner at Kea and Head of North America, who will be based in Miami.

“Leading our North American business from Miami is about being exactly where the market is heading,” Keller said. “Over the past several years we have partnered with many of the world’s leading private equity and alternative investment firms, supporting searches across North America and EMEA. Establishing a permanent presence in the US allows us to work even more closely with those clients while building new relationships. By combining deep market intelligence with an on-the-ground presence, we help clients build exceptional investment teams and give candidates access to opportunities across the country’s leading financial centres.”

New York remains central to that strategy. Many of Kea’s most established client relationships in private equity and alternative investments are headquartered there, and the city continues to be the first port of call for firms setting US hiring strategy. With a dedicated presence there alongside Miami, Kea is well-placed to support clients and candidates across an increasingly interconnected network of financial centres, including West Palm Beach, Austin, and Dallas.

Ben Keller, Partner and Head of North America

A Return to Roots

For Caroline Sage, Founder of Kea Consultants, the expansion represents both a strategic milestone and a personal one. The idea for Kea was first formed while working in buy-side search in New York following the global financial crisis.

“There’s a real sense of nostalgia in launching in the US,” Sage said. “This is where many of the ideas, relationships and experiences that shaped Kea first began. Returning to build the business here feels like a full-circle moment while also opening an exciting new chapter. Coming back to build here is a reminder of how far we’ve come, and a chance to reconnect with the market that helped shape our DNA.”

Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, private equity firms remain active and optimistic, with many expecting deal activity — and competition for talent — to intensify.

“Talent is the defining competitive advantage in private equity today,” Sage added. “The firms that win will be those that understand how to access, attract, and retain it across multiple geographies. Our expansion into the US reflects exactly that philosophy.”

Looking Ahead

As the geography of investment talent continues to evolve, Kea Consultants is positioning itself alongside the firms and professionals shaping the future of private capital.

For clients building teams in this changing landscape, candidates considering their next move, and search professionals interested in joining a growing international business, Kea’s US team welcomes the opportunity to connect.

About Kea Consultants

Founded in 2009, Kea Consultants is a London-headquartered executive search firm focused on placing investment professionals into roles across the alternative asset space. Kea operates globally, delivering searches across EMEA and the USA.