Private Equity Talks

Real Deals Tech Podcast The pandemic has left a variety of market sectors in disarray. Technology companies, especially those in digitisation and enterprise software, are proving to be among the most resilient investments, projected to return some of the highest exit multiples in the current environment. Once wary of tech, an increasing number of PE firms are looking to move into what has become a robust place to invest. Joining us on the Real Deal Tech discussion: David Barbour, managing partner at FPE Capital   Jonathan Simnett, technology M&A dealmaker and marketer at Hampleton Partners  Brian Parker, head of M&A at ICON Corporate Finance  Darran Green, partner at Rockpool Investments

Alice Murray talks to Mike Dickey, head of product at MUFG Investor Services, about the data flow of ESG information between GP and LP. While not a new topic for private equity, ESG has received more attention since the onset of the pandemic. Dickey discusses the push and pull between GPs and their LPs when it comes to sharing ESG information. He observes the variances between some GPs resistant to providing more data that isn’t readily available, and others looking for ways to use ESG as a value driver. He details the difficulties involved with reporting on ESG due to difficult to reach information and a lack of standardisation. But points out that the increasing popularity of impact funds will likely push for better guidelines.

Covid-19 has turned the dynamics in acquisition finance markets upside down. In a recent Real Deals roundtable discussion, a group of GPs, lenders, and advisers dialed in to discuss the changes in the market and how lenders and borrowers are reacting.

Alice Murray talks to Mike Dickey, head of product at MUFG Investor Services, about how GPs are managing their third party relationships, focusing on increased oversight efforts As we enter the sixth month of continued lockdown restrictions, the longer-lasting effects of the pandemic are starting to be felt. One notable impact on private equity firms has been the acknowledgement of needing strong partners. Prior to the pandemic, there was a lingering sense of ambivalence around outsourcing: should everything be kept in house? What functions suit being outsourced? How much control or access should third parties have? Now, sentiment has shifted rapidly, with PE firms needing to focus their time and attention on existing investments and on communicating effectively and consistently with LPs.  Working with trusted partners when it comes to non-core functions is a no brainer. So with the outsourcing debate seemingly slipping away, how can operational leaders make sure they’re getting the best out of their partners?

What does it take to raise a fund in a market still trying to make sense of the coronavirus? We will be discussing this and large-cap buyout managers with Mounir ''Moose'' Guen, CEO of MVision and Jussi Saarinen, Partner at EQT in today's podcast.

Private equity firms have a variety of value creation tools to draw on, but none are as important as the management teams they partner with. Ben Slatter, a partner at Rutland Partners, and Mark Andrews, CEO of Rutland portfolio company Armitage Pet Care, discuss how they work together to grow earnings and add

Our third and final instalment of The Drawdown’s conversation with RFA’s George Ralph looks as LP expectations when it comes to data management and ways to boost transparency. According to Ralph, LPs are typically only focusing on a GP’s data and tech infrastructure during ODD exercises, and DD consultants are looking more closely at how the firm is set up. While the ODD exercise only provides a snapshot of the GP’s tech infrastructure, firms developing and improving their systems and data applications are doing so in a more transparent manner, with increased capabilities for sharing development work with investors throughout the life of the fund. Advances in technology mean there are a growing number of tools providing greater visibility of the underlying systems and data flows, which can then be shared among stakeholders.

This second instalment discusses data warehousing, the infrastructure that sits around it, data governance, data ingestion, data analytics and how these components impact cybersecurity. According to Ralph, it’s more important than ever to understand these elements well. He places particular importance on the compliance part of data management, ensuring only the necessary people have access to the systems. Ralph shares his deep technical expertise on how to protect data management systems from cyber threats. He also discusses various configurations in terms of working with partners and third party providers.

Data and the various ways in which private equity can apply it has become a hugely important topic in light of the recent disruption. While the industry is well aware of the advantages that data applications can bring about - across all functions (deal doing, portfolio monitoring, fundraising and operations) - the highly nuanced nature of private equity has meant that it's more challenging to apply generic software and technologies seen in adjacent industries. This first instalment explores the nuances of developing data strategies, depending on the firm’s size, focus and willingness to adopt new technologies. We also discuss mindsets needed and common cultural barriers to integrating data applications, as well as the importance of collaboration and selecting the right partners to work with. If you only need a sentence for the description: use this: This first instalment explores the nuances of developing data strategies, depending on the firm’s size, focus and willingness to adopt new technologies.

Private capital funds have been diligently upgrading and improving their data, digital and technological infrastructure in recent years. With these kinds of projects often requiring lengthy implementations, migrations and staff training - many GPs find themselves unsure as to how to progress with upgrades and changes previously planned, but likely put on hold due to Coronavirus. Danny Trentacosta of MUFG Investor Services sits down with The Drawdown Editor Alice Murray to discuss why now is the perfect time for operational leaders to return to and reassess their upgrade plans.