Private Equity
International
International
Operating Partners Forum Europe
May 20-21, 2026
Convene 155 Bishopsgate, London
Harness value creation in a changing market
At a critical time in the economic cycle, Europe’s leading community of PE operating partners will gather to revitalise value creation strategies across all business areas.
This year’s Forum is designed to uncover new cross-functional levers, expand your professional network, and equip your operating team to drive value creation through 2026 and beyond.
“The first and largest event focused on the role of the OP and value creation. Great mix of attendees makes it the best networking event.”
James Markham
Senior Partner Value Creation, Graphite Capital
Transform your operations with collaborative content:
The agenda covers the most prominent functional topics in value creation:
- Portfolio company CEO perspectives – a deep dive into the “Do’s and Don’ts”
- How to collaborate with the deal team
- DPI vs IRR: Comparing impact on value creation
- How to efficiently use technology during economic uncertainty
- The role of tech and AI in building a strong talent pool
- Due diligence – does AI have a seat at the table?
- How to deliver revenue growth in changing markets
- And much more…
Join Europe's leading operating partner community:
What can I expect at an Operating Partners Forum?
Discover new value creation strategies
The content focuses on working with and scaling portfolio companies at a crucial time. Examine the evolution of value creation, steps to develop a world class value creation team, how to optimize CEO relationships, and much more.
Build a valuable network
Connect with industry leaders within all functional areas of value creation in think tanks, interactive workshops, networking breaks, an evening drinks reception, roundtable discussions, and invite-only breakfasts.
Hear from Operating Partners
Collaborate directly with 100+ operating partner speakers on trending topics. Speakers include representatives from Accel-KKR, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, H.I.G. Capital, OTPP, Permira, STG, and many more.
“You have to keep yourself current and our firms are not academies for becoming better operating partners…The PEI Operating Partners Forum is the only academy that exists for Operating Partners.”
Aaron Miller
Apollo Portfolio Performance Solutions, Apollo Global Management
Speakers
Our 2024 leading advisory board
For more information about next year’s agenda, please contact Brix Sumagaysay at brix.s@pei.group.
View agenda page
Agenda
Day 1 - Wednesday 20th
07:30 - 09:00
Registration and networking
Think Tank Series Day 1 (operating partners only)
08:00 - 09:00
Digital & Technology
08:00 - 09:00
GTM / Commercial
Plenary
09:00 - 09:10
PEI welcome and chairman’s opening remarks
09:10 - 09:50
Panel: Redefining the operating partner model for the next decade
- How OP roles differ by fund size and region
- The shift from specialist to versatile generalist models
- Measuring OP value in ways that resonate with stakeholders
09:50 - 10:30
Panel: Growing when markets don’t: Creating value in Europe
- Unlocking organic growth despite macro stagnation
- Commercial and operational levers that still move the needle
- Managing risk while enabling bold growth bets
10:30 - 11:00
Networking break
11:00 - 11:40
Panel: Making AI real: Moving from pilots to measurable portfolio impact
- AI use cases delivering real ROI
- How OPs structure adoption across the portfolio
- Governance, data, and operating model shifts
11:40 - 12:20
Panel: The operating partner’s role in achieving exit readiness
- Building operational maturity and governance early
- Exit expectations in today’s market
- What “exit-ready” looks like in practice
Interactive Working Group A (operating partners only)
12:20 - 13:00
The evolving role of operating partners across the deal cycle
12:20 - 13:00
Designing effective OP teams and measuring real impact
13:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
Deep Dive session (invitation-only): Enhancing supply chain operations
13:40 - 14:20
Commercial excellence in times of uncertainty
- Finding pockets of growth despite macro headwinds
- Redesigning product management and offer strategy
- Balancing speed of execution with quality of decision-making
13:40 - 14:20
The right model for digital and AI capabilities
- In-house engineering vs outsourced build vs low-code/no-code solutions
- When partnerships outperform internal teams
- Selecting the right AI stack for efficiency and scale
13:40 - 14:20
Upgrading management teams and closing capability gaps
- Assessing leadership quality in the first 100 days
- When to coach and when to replace
- Structuring leadership development for value creation
Breakout Tracks 2
14:20 - 15:00
Advanced pricing strategies in European markets
- Localisation vs standardisation of pricing strategies
- Cultural buying dynamics across EU markets
- Lessons from mid-market vs mega-cap pricing execution
14:20 - 15:00
Supply chain resilience & operations intelligence
- Mapping dependencies and monitoring systems to improve decision-making
- Reshoring, dual-sourcing, and inventory/logistics optimization without margin loss
- Using data and AI for forecasting and supply chain agility
14:20 - 15:00
Practical generative AI use cases for operating partners
- Sales, pricing, forecasting, reporting, procurement, and product.
- How OPs evaluate GenAI vendors, models, and risks.
- Governance, data privacy, and AI risk considerations
15:00 - 15:20
Networking break
Breakout Tracks 3
15:20 - 16:00
Portfolio talent management as a lever for growth & transformation
- Talent mapping, performance tracking, and capability building.
- Incentive design aligned with value creation priorities.
- Using data and AI to improve talent decisions.
15:20 - 16:00
Procurement value creation
- Driving savings through strategic sourcing and supplier management.
- Leveraging suppliers to support new products and processes.
- Ensuring resilient, ethical, and sustainable supply chains.
15:20 - 16:00
Scaling revenue through GTM and pricing excellence
- Redesigning GTM engines for B2B/B2C European markets.
- Pricing science, value-based models, and monetization levers.
- Commercial diagnostics that uncover hidden growth.
Breakout Tracks 4
16:00 - 16:40
Optimizing commercial engine in first 100 days
- Identifying key revenue levers and creating a 100-day actionable roadmap
- Clarifying roles, tightening forecasting, and setting clear performance metrics
- Balancing urgent fixes with structural changes for scalable growth
16:00 - 16:40
Cybersecurity and digital resilience in a higher-risk environment
- What every portco must do to avoid catastrophic breaches.
- Balancing security investments with insurance realities.
- How operating teams build a portfolio-wide security posture.
16:00 - 16:40
The evolving finance function
- Leveraging AI and automation to streamline finance processes.
- Finance as a business partner driving data-informed decisions.
- Using real-time insights and predictive modelling for agility.
16:40 - 16:50
Short break
Interactive Working Group B (operating partners only)
16:50 - 17:30
Bridging GTM and finance for operational alignment
- Aligning sales and marketing with finance for better operational decisions
- Improving forecasting and resource allocation through cross-functional collaboration
- Enhancing performance tracking to drive revenue and profitability insights
16:50 - 17:30
Cash excellence and financial discipline in PE-backed companies
- Cash as the primary indicator of operational health
- Forecasting, liquidity, and working capital improvements
- Protecting cash in periods of disruption and complexity
16:50 - 17:30
Operating partner – CFO alignment
- Strengthening collaboration between operating partners and CFOs for strategic impact
- Aligning financial planning with operational execution to drive growth
- Enhancing decision-making through shared insights and performance metrics
17:30 - 19:00
Networking reception
19:00 - 19:00
End of day one
Agenda
Day 2 - Thursday 21st
07:30 - 09:05
Registration and breakfast
Think Tank Series Day 2
07:40 - 08:20
Portfolio talent management and leadership performance
07:40 - 08:20
Effective OP teaming models in mid-market vs mega-cap firms
Breakfast Deep Dive Day 2
08:20 - 09:00
Deal team views: how to partner better with ops
08:20 - 09:00
Measuring & showcasing OP performance
Plenary
09:05 - 09:10
Chairperson’s welcome
09:10 - 09:50
Panel: Strategic cost management in a high-pressure deal environment
- Sustainable efficiency without damaging growth
- Cash discipline and forecasting rigour
- Reinvestment decisions during constrained cycles
09:50 - 10:30
Panel: Creating value at exit: Operational track records, readiness, and narrative
- Building strong operational track records to maximize exit value
- Ensuring business readiness for due diligence and smooth transition
- Crafting a compelling narrative to attract investors and buyers
10:30 - 11:00
Networking coffee break
11:00 - 11:40
Panel: AI across the portfolio: Practical cross-functional use cases
11:40 - 12:20
Panel: How OPs collaborate across functions for VCP
- Driving cross-functional collaboration to enhance value creation plans
- Aligning operations, finance, and strategy for execution excellence
- Leveraging insights from multiple teams to optimize performance and outcomes
Interactive Working Group
12:20 - 13:00
Practical AI use cases across functional roles in European portfolios
Carmela Mendoza,
Ralph Friedwagner,
Ilinca Rosetti,
Naresh Kumar,
Paul Reading,
Dr Natalia Blagburn
- A check list of non-negotiables before considering an exit
- How are exit plans and strategies being affected by current market conditions?
- What are the main challenges faced when preparing for exit?
Moderator: Carmela Mendoza, Senior Reporter, Private Equity International
Ralph Friedwagner, Operating Partner, CDPQ
Ilinca Rosetti, Operating Partner, JC Flowers & Co
Naresh Kumar, Independent Operating Partner, Operating Bridge Partners
Paul Reading, Partner, Chief Strategy Officer, Mayfair Equity Partners
Natalia Blagburn, Portfolio Director, Independent
12:20 - 13:00
Advance Operating Partners
Adam Smallman,
Fiona Satchell,
Ronald Van Loo,
Martin Mc Court,
Sheilja Patel,
Ramon de la Sota
This session will explore the ongoing debate between functional specialists and generalists, examining the value each brings. Attendees will gain insights into which approach is currently seen as more valuable in today’s evolving business landscape.
Moderator: Adam Smallman, Director, Membership Content, PEI Group
Fiona Satchell, Operating Partner, Three Hills
Ronald Van Loo, Global Head of Portfolio Group, TowerBrook Capital Partners
Martin Mc Court, Operating Partner, Corsair Capital
Sheilja Patel, Operating Principal – Head of EMEA Operating Team, Accel-KKR
Ramon de la Sota, Founder and Operating Partner, Parlementia Capital Partners
13:00 - 14:00
Networking lunch break
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in PE and VC portfolio.
14:00 - 14:40
Panel: Operating partner–investment partner alignment in complex deals
- Integrating OPs early in diligence and investment hypothesis development
- Cross-functional teaming models and decision-making clarity
- Governance structures that accelerate the deal cycle
14:40 - 15:20
Panel: Designing the most effective operating model for value creation
- Structuring OP teams (generalist vs specialist)
- Creating speed of execution through operating rhythms
- Refining the value creation playbook to focus on what truly moves the needle
15:20 - 16:00
Panel: Carve-outs and buy-and-build strategies: What OPs must get right
- Standing up independent operating models quickly
- Integration and synergy capture in fragmented markets
- Governance requirements for accelerated build-out
16:00 - 16:00
End of conference
Cultivate your operating partner community
Cultivate a professional community that extends beyond the Forum in operating partner exclusive networking events.
Connect with the brightest leaders in cross-functional value creation to exchange ideas, solve challenges, and benchmark strategies to improve your day-to-day operations.
Operating Partners Forum Europe Welcome Reception and Dinner (invitation-only)
Tuesday, 20 May, 2025
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Venue: Madera at Treehouse London
Perched high above the city, the vibrant Madera at Treehouse London offers breathtaking skyline views, warm hospitality, and a relaxed atmosphere—the perfect setting to start making meaningful connections before the main event begins. Join fellow Operating Partners and select industry leaders for an evening of curated cocktails, inspired small plates, and engaging conversation. Whether reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new peers, this reception sets the tone for productive and collaborative days ahead.
Operating Partners Forum Europe Day 1 Networking Reception
Wednesday, 21 May, 2025
17:40-18:30
After a full day of insight-packed sessions and high-level discussions, join us for an exclusive evening networking reception. This is your opportunity to relax, recharge, and reconnect with peers, speakers, and industry leaders in a more informal setting. Enjoy curated cocktails, light bites, and engaging conversation as you continue the dialogue and forge valuable new relationships. Whether you’re deepening connections made earlier in the day or meeting fresh faces, this reception is the perfect capstone to an energizing day at the conference.
Deep Dive Breakfasts (operating partners only)
Thursday, 22 May, 2025
8:45 – 9:25
These discussions will focus on specific strategies in value creation and allow you to share your views and learn key insights from peers.
Women in PE Portfolio Operations Lunch Discussion (invitation-only)
Thursday, 22 May, 2025
12:30 – 13:30
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore key challenges and opportunities for women in PE portfolio operations.
Sessions designed for collaboration
Think Tanks
Put your heads together with other operating partners to examine niche areas of value creation. With crowd-sourced discussion topics, these peer-led sessions will provide personalized takeaways.
Interactive Working Groups
Hear how your peers are navigating specific value creation levers. These interactive discussions, facilitated by our expert speaking faculty, will provide a closer look at specific cross-functional topics.
Pre-Event Resources
Connect with the largest European community of expert operating partners
PEI’s Operating Partners Forums are a unique blend of networking, collaboration and thought leadership between private equity operating partners, portfolio operations teams and sponsors. Each venue is custom designed to encourage conversation about value creation best practices, relationship building and knowledge sharing across functional areas on the most pressing issues facing their investment and portfolio companies. Access to the Forum is limited to operating partners/value creation experts from private equity firms and sponsoring firms.
For more information on ways to engage with PEI’s Operating Partners community, please contact Lawrence Dvorchik at lawrence.d@pei.group or call on +1 (646) 545-4429
