

The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection
Alex Rawlings
Hosted by Alex Rawlings, Managing Partner of Raw Selection, a specialist executive search firm. Join us as we interview the leading experts in Private Equity, unlocking their secrets of success to share with you. Discover how some of the top Private Equity professionals got into Private Equity, how they rose to success and learn about some of the mistakes they made along the way.Alex has strong connections to the Private Equity industry through his executive search firm, Raw Selection, which specialises in working with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies across Europe and North America. Alex is straight talking and to the point and aims to unlock real gold you can build into your firm or portfolio companies. Find out more at www.raw-selection.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 2, 2022 • 32min
Andrea Petrone on How to Assess Leaders and Building Trust Between Teams after Acquisition
Today we welcome Andrea Petrone who is a strategic advisor to C-level executives. Having been a senior executive himself, Andrea brings his experience and expertise to help leaders become more effective. He also shares his insights on his podcast, “The World Class Leaders Show”What You’ll LearnHow to assess leadersThe traits all CEOs should haveTalent selection tools and tipsBuilding trust between teams after acquisition Breakdown[00:54] Getting to know Andrea Petrone[02:29] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[08:30] The PXT Select Assessment[10:11] Why emotional intelligence matters[12:08] Culture fit, trust, and teamwork[18:21] Cross pollination between PE portfolio companies[21:11] Notable attributes of a top-performer[24:43] Private equity: the good and the bad[26:27] Andrea’s learning resources[29:56] Unlock your intrinsic motivationResourcesAndrea’s LinkedInAndrea’s Website Thank you for tuning in! To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Apr 18, 2022 • 26min
Nevin Raj on Driving the Pipeline of Proprietary Deal Flow
On this episode, we welcome Nevin Raj, Co-Founder and COO of Grata.What You’ll LearnDriving the pipeline of proprietary deal flow Investment trends and opportunities Venture funding Grata’s success What makes a top performerBreakdown[00:45] Introducing Nevin [02:04] Common mistakes by PE firms [05:50] What PE firms should do to drive pipeline of proprietary deal flow [07:56] Investment trends and opportunities [10:19] The funding route and venture funding [13:53] Grata’s success [16:30] Attributes that make a top performer [19:12] What Nevin loves and dislikes about the PE industry [20:36] Nevin’s influences [24:00] Where to find Nevin Resources:Nevin's E-mailGrata's websiteThank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Apr 4, 2022 • 33min
Todd Cipperman on How Private Equity Firms Can Stay on Top of Compliance Challenges
Todd Cipperman is the founding principal of Cipperman Compliance Services. They help advisers, broker-dealers, and funds protect their franchises against regulatory risk through the development, implementation, and operation of customized compliance programs. What You’ll Learn:How PE firms can stay on top of compliance challengesLooming compliance regulations around the worldThe compliance burden plaguing private equityProtection against the questionable actions from portfolio companies Breakdown[00:50] Getting to Know Todd Cipperman[02:44] Common Mistakes by PE Firms and Portfolio Companies[04:55] Compliance and Minimizing Risks[06:57] Regulatory Compliance for Private Equity Firms[12:30] Are Regulatory Authorities Serious About Compliance Regulations?[16:05] What to Expect from Regulatory Changes Going Forward[20:40] Regulations and How They Impact Costs of Doing Business[21:38] Key Defining Characteristics of a Top-Performing Individual[26:01] What Todd Likes and Dislikes About Private Equity[28:50] Todd’s Go-To Information Resources[33:12] Parting ThoughtsResources:Cipperman.comTodd’s LinkedIn Thank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Mar 22, 2022 • 25min
Trevor Ewen on How the Top Private Equity Firms Avoid Bidding Wars
Trevor Ewen is the CEO of Southport Technology Group and the Managing Partner at Southport Ventures, an acquisition fund focused on buying profitable, mission-critical, B2B SaaS businesses. What You'll Learn:Why Private Equity is Buying Up Software CompaniesWhy Private Equity Demands A Lot of Patience How the Top PE Firms Avoid Bidding WarsInsights Into The Lucrative SaaS Business Model Breakdown[00:45] Getting to Know Trevor Ewen[02:09] Common Mistakes by PE Firms and Portfolio Companies[06:17] Private Equity Firms Keeping Up with Data Analytics[07:50] Trevor's Transition From the Software Space Into Private Equity[10:27] Private Equity's Growing Appetite For Tech[12:17] Characteristics of a Good PE Investment Opportunity[18:30] What Trevor Likes and Dislikes About Private Equity[20:47] Competition in the Private Equity Space[23:54] Parting Thoughts Resources:Trevor’s LinkedInPrivate Equity | Southport Technology GroupTrevor’s Email - Trevor@stg.software Thank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Mar 8, 2022 • 35min
Teresa Farmaki on Female Empowerment in Private Equity and Why PE Experts Need to Start Thinking Outside the Box
Teresa Farmaki is the Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Astarte Capital Partners, an asset management firm focused on sustainable real asset sectors. She is also the former Managing Director at Signia Wealth Limited. What You’ll Learn:What are Real Assets and How Can You Invest In ThemWhy PE Experts Need to Start Thinking Outside the BoxHow to Tackle Investment Decisions From a Practical PerspectiveWhy Diversity is Crucial for Investment SuccessWomen Empowerment in Private Equity Breakdown[00:50] Getting to Know Teresa Farmaki [02:20] Why Teresa Moved From New York to London[03:38] Common Mistakes by PE Firms and Portfolio Companies[06:24] Real Assets Investing in Private Equity [12:10] The Friction Between Operations Experts and Financial Investors[15:40] Diversity and Inclusion in private Equity[20:29] Why Most Women are Afraid of Joining Private Equity[25:16] Key Attributes that Define a Top Performer[29:00] Why The Top Performing PE Experts are Critical Thinkers[33:28] What Teresa Likes and Dislikes About Private Equity[35:30] Parting ThoughtsResources:Teresa’s LinkedInAstartecp.comTeresa’s Email - Teresa@astartecp.com Thank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Feb 22, 2022 • 26min
Jun Hong Heng on Why Autotech Start-ups are Hot Targets for Private Equity Firms
In this episode, we welcome Jun Hong Heng, the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Crescent Cove Advisors, LP, a technology investment firm focused on working with founders and management teams to build the iconic companies of tomorrow. He is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of COVA Acquisition Corp. What You'll LearnTrends shaping the future of autotechWhy autotech startups are hot targets for private equity firmsHow the top private equity firms attract the best talentBoard members and how they influence private equity successHow to invest in the top private equity firms Breakdown[00:50] Getting to Know Jun Hong Heng [01:39] Common Mistakes by PE Firms and Portfolio Companies[04:25] Why Jun Settled on the Technology, Media, and Telecom Sector[07:40] The Current Hot Markets in the Autotech Space[11:08] Why Jun and His Firm Invested in the Luminar Software[14:00] Insights Into How Jun Grew His Company[17:05] How to Interview, Hire, and Retain Top Talents[18:10] Why Jun Moved From Singapore to the US[19:49] Key Attributes that Define a Top Performer[22:10] The Work from Home Concept in Private Equity[24:10] What Jun Likes and Dislikes About Private Equity[25:45] Jun's self-investment Practices [28:05] Parting Thoughts Resources:Jun's LinkedInCrescent Cove Advisors Thank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Feb 8, 2022 • 33min
Sean Mooney on Better Communication Between PE Firms and Portfolio Companies
Today’s GuestToday we welcome Sean Mooney founder and CEO of BluWave. Sean has worked in the private equity industry for more than 20 years. He was a partner at SFW Capital Partners and has served on the board of directors of several companies. Now at BluWave, his passion lies in connecting private equity funds with expert service providers to help businesses succeed. What You’ll LearnA veteran PE investor’s insights about the industryOrigins of BluWave and how their service works Better communication between PE firms and portfolio companiesHow to screen and choose service providers Breakdown[00:45] Getting to know Sean Mooney[04:20] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[08:54] What Sean misses about private equity[11:24] How can PE investors better connect with portfolio companies? [14:36] The founding story of BluWave[19:58] Choosing excellent service providers[24:53] Notable attributes of a top-performer[26:23] Private equity: the good and the bad[29:14] Sean’s learning resourcesResourcesSean’s LinkedInBluWave Website Thank you for tuning in! To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Jan 25, 2022 • 22min
Jimmy Vaiopoulos on Private Equity Investing for All Types of Investors
Today's GuestIn this episode, we welcome Jimmy Vaiopoulos, the Chief Financial Officer at Stack Capital, an investment holdings company that makes it possible for any investor to participate in the growth of some of the world's most innovative private businesses. What You'll LearnHow to invest without being an accredited investorPrivate Equity investing for all types of investorsThe primary building blocks of a successful PE firmWhat most PE firms should improve onThe definition of a non-accredited investor Breakdown[00:45] Getting to Know Jimmy Vaiopoulos[03:16] Common Mistakes by PE Firms and Portfolio Companies[04:25] How Standard Non-accredited Investors can Invest in Private Equity[06:37] Pushbacks and Drawbacks of Non-accredited Investors in PE[08:00] The Private Equity Fund Structure [10:20] Practical Elements of a Private Equity Fund[12:30] Why Jimmy Settled on Private Equity[14:00] Challenges Plaguing Jimmy's Company Stack Capital[15:35] Key Attributes that Define a Top Performer[16:55] Jimmy's Advice to His 20-Year-Old Self[18:00] What Jimmy Likes and Dislikes About Private Equity[19:38] Jimmy's Self-investment Practices [21:50] Parting Thoughts Resources:Jimmy's LinkedInStack Capital WebsiteJimmy@stackcapitalgroup.com Thank you for tuning in! To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Jan 11, 2022 • 37min
Mario Nigro on the Most Impressive M&A Processes
Today’s GuestOn this episode, we welcome Mario Nigro, Partner at Stikeman Elliott LLP, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.What You’ll LearnWhat PE firms should improve onMost impressive M&A ProcessesProprietary Base VS M&A Advisor and Investment BankerHow to be a top performerDiversity in private equity firmsBreakdown[00:28] Introducing Mario [01:43] Common mistakes by PE firms [05:54] What PE Firms Should Improve On [09:17] Impressive M&A Processes [13:15] Deals Between Proprietary Base VS M&A Advisors and Investment Banks [19:11] Attributes that Make a Top Performer [24:52] Diversity in Age [28:30] What Mario Likes and Dislikes about Private Equity [34:44] Where to Reach MarioResources:Mario's Contact DetailsViews From the Market PodcastThank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

Dec 28, 2021 • 23min
Ola Brown on Impact Investing in Africa and Ensuring Successful Investments
Today we welcome Dr. Ola Brown, founder of Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Company, a healthcare investment firm focused on investing in healthcare service companies in Africa. What You’ll LearnHow Dr. Ola got into the financial investments industryFinTech in InvestingEnsuring successful investmentsResults and improvements made from investing in healthcare servicesBreakdown[00:49] Introducing Dr. Ola [01:18] Common mistakes by PE firms and portfolio companies [03:28] Transition from Doctor to Investor [07:36] How FinTech Plays into Investing [11:00] How Dr. Ola Ensures Investments are Successful [17:17] Results from Investments in Healthcare [22:37] How to Reach Out to Dr. OlaResources:Dr. Ola's TwitterDr. Ola's LinkedInDr. Ola's E-mailThank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.