Private Equity Talks

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.

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.

ESG factors have taken a central role in business decisions. Its influence extends to where investors are directing capital, how businesses interact with counterparties, and how consumers spend. In today's podcast, we sit down with Marie Fitzpatrick of JTC Group and Alison Hampton of Alma Verde Advisors to explore and present some ideas for how to manage this constantly evolving and increasingly important subject