Private Equity Spotlight

In this fourth episode of season two of the Disruption Matters special miniseries, we delve into the complex interplay between digital transformation and human interaction in sales and marketing. While technology can add efficiencies, the importance of the human element in customer engagement remains an issue. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities of tactical pricing, particularly in a volatile economic environment. Guests include Jason McDannold, partner and managing director at AlixPartners; Richard Liu, a partner in the enterprise technology and services arm of FTV Capital; Ben Russell, senior vice-president of private equity at Partners Group; Brit Yonge, an operating partner at Corsair Capital; and Jeremy Schein, a partner and member of the buyouts investment committee at Corsair. This episode is sponsored by AlixPartners

Deals are getting larger, and those providing the loans are becoming more trusted and sophisticated. Craig Packer of Blue Owl Capital thinks these are reliable indicators that direct lending is set to expand and prosper. This episode is sponsored by Blue Owl Capital

In this third episode of season two of the Disruption Matters special miniseries, the focus turns to communication and leadership resilience. Guests share insights on how the pandemic led to more frequent and effective communication within portfolio companies. The conversation covers the importance of clearly defined roles, strong operating partner networks and annual meetings for leadership development, as well as the role of ESG in shaping corporate culture and attracting talent. Guests include Ted Bililies, a partner and managing director at AlixPartners; Warren Valdmanis, a partner at Two Sigma Impact; Alan Goldfarb, founder and managing partner of Orangewood Partners; and Steven Maxwell, senior vice-president of portfolio human capital at Audax Private Equity. This episode is sponsored by AlixPartners

In this second episode of season two of the Disruption Matters special miniseries, we focus on the importance of the first 100 days after acquisition through to the execution of a value creation plan. Experts emphasise the need to evaluate a company's existing talent, noting that early missteps can reveal if the leadership is capable of achieving set goals. The discussion touches on common mistakes, such as poor governance structures and misaligned objectives, which can derail value creation efforts. Guests include Burak Kiral, a partner and managing director with AlixPartners; Adam Jenkins, global head of portfolio management for Blackstone Private Equity; Amanda Good, head of value creation at Searchlight Capital; and Ellen Nyhus, CEO of Verdane’s operational expert team Elevate. This episode is sponsored by AlixPartners

In Europe and around the world, rising interest rates and falling valuations are impacting many commercial property sectors still reeling from the aftereffects of the pandemic, as well as secular changes in the way occupiers use real estate. Shrewd investment managers can help identify which assets, on a case-by-case basis, can result in the greatest returns and which property sectors are likely to pose the lowest risk going forward. In this episode, Marc Fuhrmann, principal and head of real estate of Arrow Global, returns to speak with Jonathan Brasse, editor-in-chief, real estate at PEI Group, about trends in the ever-changing private equity real estate markets. This episode is sponsored by Arrow Global

The Disruption Matters special podcast miniseries is back for season two, where leading industry experts will dissect the seismic shifts rattling the core of due diligence in private equity. The first episode's discussion zeroes in on the fusion of technology and leadership in shaping risk assessment and deal-making. It asks: how can the right balance between tech and human acumen make or break an investment? Guests includes Joanne Taylor, a partner and managing director with AlixPartners; John Stecher, the CTO of Blackstone; Crosby Cook, a partner with EQT; and Marc Fuhrmann, a principal for real estate at Arrow Global. This episode is sponsored by AlixPartners

Glennmont Partners’ CEO Joost Bergsma and Actis's head of sustainability Shami Nissan discuss how their firms approach sustainability – in theory and in practice – as well as what their LPs demand of them. They share their views on ESG, resilience and the emergence of dedicated climate allocations launched by a growing number of LPs. This episode is sponsored by Glennmont Partners and Actis

Even post-covid, demand for data centres, fibre and towers continues to grow. Palistar’s Omar Jaffrey and Eurazeo’s Laurent Chatelin discuss how current digital infra trends are aiding the transformation to a more connected and sustainable world, and how investors can benefit. This episode is sponsored by Palistar Capital and Eurazeo.

In this latest episode of Second Thoughts, our bi-monthly take on the biggest trends and developments in secondaries, the spotlight is on our yearly ranking of the top secondaries firms globally. Blackstone Strategic Partners has topped this year's SI 50 ranking published by Secondaries Investor and Private Equity International, raising $51.3 billion across funds that closed between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2023. Senior reporter Madeleine Farman speaks with global head Verdun Perry, discussing the state of the secondaries market, what Strategic Partners is looking for in opportunities currently, and some of the key moments across Perry's career.

Standardisation and comparability are key to making climate data meaningful. EDHEC’s Abhishek Gupta and Nishtha Manocha discuss the hurdles this presents and how investors can clear them. This episode is sponsored by EDHEC Infra & Private Assets