Private Equity
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International
Operating Partners Forum: Europe London 2023
17 - 18 May 2023,
Hilton Tower Bridge, London
The largest European event for private equity value creation
Private Equity International’s Operating Partners Forum Europe is the largest European event dedicated to operating partners. The 12th annual event focuses on best practices in private equity portfolio operations and value creation across all functional business areas.
The operating partner community will discuss the best strategies to deliver value and growth at a critical time in the economic cycle in London, this May.
Attendees build lasting relationships and compare best practices with their peers through the new interactive style of the agenda with more operating partners-only sessions than ever before. The Forum helps you foster business relationships and influence the future of value creation models with extended opportunities to network with key players in the industry.
What will attendees experience at the Operating Partners Forum?
Event content designed for value creation
The content focuses on working with and scaling portfolio companies at a crucial time. Featuring sessions on the evolution of value creation, developing a world class value creation team, making boards effective, the future of work and practical insights into key areas of value creation.
Build a valuable network
Attendees connect with industry participants within all functional areas of value creation and benefit from a truly international event. Attendees benefit from in-person networking with think tanks, interactive workshops, networking breaks, evening drinks reception, roundtable discussions and invite-only breakfasts.
Hear from Operating Partners
Attendees hear from 100+ operating partners on the most important topics. Past speakers included representatives from BC Partners, Carlyle Group, CDPQ, CVC Capital Partners, Hg, PAI Partners, InvestCorp, KKR Capstone, Partners Group and many more.
2023 agenda highlights
- Think Tanks for operating partners only – led by operating partners, these dynamic discussions allow you to learn and share how to best position yourself in your career as a PE operating partner
- Evolving and adapting your value creation strategy in a more challenging economic environment
- Building an effective talent function for your PE firms and portfolio companies
- The modern CFO: optimizing finance during challenging economic times
- Developing a world class value creation team – comparing different operating models
- Women in PE portfolio operations lunch discussion (invitation-only for operating partners)
- Leveraging technology for value creation in the current environment
Meet the largest European operating partner network
2023 Speakers
Testimonials from attendees
Attendee of the forum
As my first Operating Partners Forum event, I found it incredibly valuable to spend time with operating partners in other funds and discuss the opportunities an…
Attendee of the forum
Great operating partner attendees, content, and networking. This is a crucial event for monitoring the pulse of European private equity.
Attendee of the forum
The exchange of ideas between operating partners and their advisors, CEOs, and board members, brought useful insights and re-energised me.
Attendee of the forum
As my first Operating Partners Forum event, I found it incredibly valuable to spend time with operating partners in other funds and discuss the opportunities and challenges that our portfolio companies are facing. It was also helpful to be introduced to a wide range of advisors who have the experience to support management team. I will be attending next year!
Our leading advisory board
Maria Carradice
Managing Director
Mayfair Equity Partners
Ralph Friedwagner
Managing Director & Operating Partner
CDPQ
Will Harman
Principal, Margin Practice Lead
Apax Partners
Celine Infeld
Operating Partner
Investcorp
Esther Nayyar
Managing Director, Due Diligence & Value Creation
ICG
Tony O’Carroll
Managing Director and Head of Investment-Ops team
SVPGlobal
Alex Kesseler
Partner – Performance Improvement
Antin Infrastructure Partners
Lisa Weaver-Lambert
Data and Digital Operating Partner
Independent
The Operating Partners Forum: Europe
For more information on our 2023 agenda, please contact Charles Gould.
charles.g@peimedia.com | +44 (0)203 879 3893
View our 2023 agenda
View agenda page
Agenda
Operating Partners Forum: Europe - Day 1 - Wednesday 17th
07:30 - 08:00
Registration and breakfast
THINK TANK SERIES 1
08:00 - 08:55
Think tanks for full-time operating partners: value creation war room (invitation-only)
This closed-door discussion will allow you to learn and share strategies together with your operating partner peers. It will also allow you to submit topics to be discussed in value creation:
Room 1 Emerging Operating Partners (1-3 years in PE)
Room 2 Advanced Operating Partners
Plenary
08:55 - 09:10
PEI’s welcome and chairman’s opening remarks
09:10 - 09:50
Building agility in the current economy: the next chapter of the value creation playbook
Christopher Harwood,
Tony O'Carroll
- Value creation playbooks in a recessionary/inflationary environment: how is this impacting strategy?
- Maintaining a growth mindset to navigate through instability and build sustainable EBITDA
- Lessons learned from other downturns: what has PE done historically to deal with recessions?
- How is PE investing its time and resources during these difficult times: what are the real challenges and opportunities?
09:50 - 10:30
CEO Perspective—How Operating Partners Can Earn the Right to Help
Jim Corey
- Why are some CEOs reluctant to engage with Operating Partners?
- What are the do’s and don’ts for earning the trust of CEOs and leadership teams?
- How have successful Operating Partners found ways to become relevant and earn the right to help?
Facilitator: Jim Corey, Managing Partner, Blue Ridge Partners
10:30 - 11:10
The evolution of operating models in European private equity
Alejandro Alcalde Rasch,
Ralph Friedwagner,
Robin Rowland OBE
- To what extent has economic disruption changed how funds are structuring their teams?
- Making the “magic quadrant” work: how the deal partner, operating partner, CEO, and board can work together to deliver value creation
- Comparing team designs eg functional vs. generalist
- How best to engage with portfolio companies
11:10 - 11:50
Keynote session: US Operating Partner perspectives on the evolution of value creation in North America
This unique session will feature the views of two prominent North American operating partners as they discuss how the operating model is developing in North American private equity
11:50 - 12:20
Networking break
INTERACTIVE WORKING GROUP SERIES A
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 1 (for operating partners only) - How to approach tech during a downturn
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
How to approach tech during a downturn
- How the profile of tech-spending changes during a downturn?
- Knowing where to spend when budgets are being cutback
- How to transform from problem solving to maximizing value in the years to come
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 2 (for operating partners only) - Working with portfolio companies on revenue growth
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
Working with portfolio companies on revenue growth
- How to persuade CEOs to make changes to the revenue model
- Overcoming friction with CEOs and management team
- How to earn the right to help on revenue growth
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 3 (for operating partners only) - Aligning management teams and employees around the value creation plan
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
Aligning management teams and employees around the value creation plan
- Incentivising management teams during longer hold periods and planning for exits during economic turmoil
- Assessing if management have the capabilities to deliver: signs to know when they don’t
- Organisational effectiveness: ensuring employees understand their role
13:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 1
14:00 - 14:40
Practical approaches for operating partners to improve the linkage between ESG and value creation
Polly Firman,
Suzie Ruffley
- Where to find genuine value enhancement in sustainability
- Role of ESG data: How are GPs standing up efficient and insightful ESG tracking across the portfolio?
- How closely should operating partners work with sustainability heads?
14:00 - 14:40
Strategically managing pricing in an inflationary and recessionary environment
Franck Abadia
- Uncovering how pricing is a key element of organic growth in a recessionary/inflationary environment in looking at market, market share, consolidation
- Implementing urgent and opportunistic pricing changes in current times
- Looking at inflation and current opportunity for different industries
14:00 - 14:40
Building a culture of innovation in portfolio companies
Gilad G. Amir ,
Rob Dembitz
- Best practice in driving innovation through people: equipping management teams to create an innovative and entrepreneurial environment
- Making best use of technology and tools to deliver value
- How to deliver innovation in a downturn
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 2
14:40 - 15:20
Unlocking cloud transformations for value creation
- Cloud transformation external and internal business aspects: how to handle it with your portcos
- Leveraging the cloud for security, scalability, and reliability
- Create value through cost optimization and product modernization using Cloud
14:40 - 15:20
Managing supply chains during times of disruption
- What are businesses doing to enhance resilience in their supply chains?
- Managing costs at a time of inflation vs. ensuring reliable supply chains
- Examples of supply chain management that worked through the pandemic
14:40 - 15:20
Building an effective talent function for your PE firms
- Where to recruit in-house talent execs from
- What makes a great PE talent partner/human capital operating partner team?
- Rapid acceleration of the talent value creation plan: sharing what must be done
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 3
15:20 - 16:00
Cybersecurity: operating partners share war stories & tips
Philip Borbély
- Ensuring you have the right controls in place and how to respond to an attack
- Setting up a centralised Security Operations Centre (SOC) across your portfolio
- Picking a security tool when there are so many: advice on where to go
15:20 - 16:00
Go-To-Market levers during a recession
Dominic Gallello,
Streisan Bevan
- Gaining insight and momentum during due diligence
- Pricing – picking up quick wins and bringing sales teams with you
- Channels – diversifying routes to market
15:20 - 16:00
HR best practice: addressing the biggest risk and inhibiter to growth
Alex Kesseler,
Kate Migliaro,
Christian Trümpler
- Why is HR excellence often ignored during value creation?
- Recruitment & retention during a time of inflation and labour shortage
- What can companies do to increase efficiencies of recruitment?
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 4
16:00 - 16:40
Fireside chat: Driving value through technology
Charlie Ponsonby
- Accelerating ROI on tech investment with data driven tech delivery
- Enabling portco technology delivery teams to become more data-led
- Case studies from the hg portfolio
16:00 - 16:40
Value creation for the mid-market in a more challenging environment
James Markham,
Wessel Schevernels,
Jasper zu Putlitz
- What different operating models exist for the mid-market?
- Exploring the dynamic between management teams, deal teams and operating teams
- Which levers are most important for the mid-market?
16:00 - 16:40
Human capital due diligence in private equity
- How to implement talent due diligence
- Challenges in assessing management teams and talent at all levels
- What tools and resources are most effective in executing talent due diligence?
16:40 - 17:00
Networking break
INTERACTIVE WORKING GROUP SERIES B
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 4 (for operating partners only)
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
Working with CFOs: operating partners share dos and don’ts
- Building a productive relationship with CFOs throughout the investment
- How to partner with a CFO during challenging times for the company
- Operating partners exchange war stories of challenging relationships
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 5 (for operating partners only) - Long-term digital strategy, how it becomes integrated
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
Long-term digital strategy, how it becomes integrated
- How technology can be used for originating deals and during due diligence
- Working with management teams to set long-term IT goals for technology companies
- Putting digital strategy at the core of the fund
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 6 (for operating partners only) - Never let a crisis go to waste: how to prosper over the next 18 months
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
Never let a crisis go to waste: how to prosper over the next 18 months
- The increased importance of agility throughout the value chain in challenging times
- Maintaining a growth mindset: where are opportunities and how to realise them?
- Deciding where to invest and where to hold back
17:40 - 18:30
End of day and cocktail reception
Agenda
Operating Partners Forum: Europe - Day 2 - Thursday 18th
07:40 - 08:30
Registration and breakfast
07:45 - 08:30
Breakfast deep dive discussion (invitation-only for operating partners)
THINK TANK SERIES 2
08:30 - 09:25
Think tanks for full-time operating partners: value creation war room (invitation-only)
This closed-door discussion will allow you to learn and share best practices of successful operating partners. The think tank will allow you to select one of the rooms by functional area:
Room 1 Digital and Technology Operating Partners
Room 2 Human Capital/Talent Operating Partners
Plenary
09:25 - 09:30
Chairman’s welcome
09:30 - 10:10
Driving organization effectiveness in a challenging economic environment
- How digitisation can help with driving efficiencies
- Creating new opportunities for a competitive advantage during economic disruption
- What can be learnt from businesses who thrived through covid?
- Case studies of companies who have done things right
10:10 - 10:50
100-day plans for value creation: operating partner views
Miles Graham,
Esther Nayyar,
Benjamin Puche
- How does the 100-day plan change in a recessionary environment?
- Why starting quickly is even more important during times of uncertainty
- Outlining some of the challenges with engaging management teams in the first 100-days
- How to prioritize and identify the most important value creation areas to focus on
10:50 - 11:30
Utilising data throughout the investment process
Lisa Weaver-Lambert
- Tips for mid-market firms without data specialists
- Getting ahead of the game on data during due diligence
- What are the 10 questions you should ask?
- Turning data into an asset at your portfolio company
11:30 - 12:00
How boards should react to a crisis: a case study
This unique session will highlight how a board should react in a crisis situation. A case study will be presented of an issue of huge importance to the running of PE backed business. The panelists will be made up with experts with experience in different board positions including an operating partner with board experience
12:00 - 12:20
Networking break
INTERACTIVE WORKING GROUP SERIES C
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 7 (for operating partners only) - Optimising revenue through sales, marketing & customer success during a downturn
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
Optimising revenue through sales, marketing & customer success during a downturn
- Strategies for operating partners to drive sustainable growth through turbulence
- What it means to have a shared methodology through the different functions
- Developing an action plan through all parts of the company
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 8 (for operating partners only) - Integrating new acquisitions to ensure success
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
Integrating new acquisitions to ensure success
- How involved should operating partners be?
- Ensuring culture and talent align throughout the process
- Managing integration of technology
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 9 (for operating partners only) - Human capital strategy throughout investment lifecycle
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive roundtable discussion with designated facilitators:
Human capital strategy throughout investment lifecycle
- How to measure the people side of the deal
- Reducing new portfolio company onboarding times – and gaining faster traction towards delivering on the investment thesis
- Preventing costly organizational derailments during the hold period
13:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
Women in PE portfolio operations lunch (invitation-only for operating partners)
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in PE and VC portfolio operations:
- Uncovering what being a woman operating partner means and how to be successful in your role
- What are the issues causing a disparity in genders?
- Exploring career paths, development, and how to position yourself as female leaders
- Is your firm focused on women’s leadership at portfolio companies?
- Does your company have any specific programs, leadership coaching and assessments geared towards promoting women’s leadership?
- Are there any changes in recruiting that will create a more equal playing field?
- Looking at trends and stats in gender in PE and VC
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 5
14:00 - 14:40
The CFO role during an economic downturn
- Recession-proof your portfolio companies
- Transforming finance from a cost-center into a value-creation engine
- Looking at effective ways to mitigate risk across the portfolio
14:00 - 14:40
Tech and talent: attracting and retaining top talent in the current environment
Matt J Baird,
Riccardo Basile
- Has the tide turned with tech companies making cutbacks?
- Are there signs of more talent available?
- Is there an opportunity to double down on tech talent?
CLOSING PLENARY SESSIONS
14:40 - 15:20
Operational excellence stories explained by the participants
Duncan Ramsay
Three award winning private equity firms will present a case study of a successful investment. Attendees will vote on the most impressive of the three case studies
15:20 - 16:00
Women in PE & VC portfolio operations panel: revealing key talking points from the event’s closed-door lunch discussion
For the very first time, this insightful panel will reveal the key discussion points from the event’s closed-door women’s lunch discussion with the entire audience. Please join the main room to learn what matters most to the industry and how progress can be achieved.
16:00 - 16:00
Closing remarks and end of conference
Networking with Europe’s leading Operating Partner community
The 12th annual forum returns to London this May. The event welcomes 300+ value creation operating partners and expert advisors for two days of networking at the must-attend event for anyone involved in value creation in private equity. Attendees get an opportunity to meet our expansive European operating community to discuss strategies, hear new perspectives, and enlarge their networks.
Attendees participate in an agenda packed with in-person networking opportunities throughout the two-day event. The Forum includes interactive Q&As, think tanks, roundtables, networking breaks, an evening drinks reception, and meeting with fellow operating partners during closed-door operating partner only sessions.
PRE-CONFERENCE NETWORKING
Tuesday, May 16
Operating Partners Forum Europe Welcome Reception (invitation-only)
18:30-21:30
Venue: Tower Bridge Walkways
Join the operating partners attending the Europe Forum in a casual gathering to see old friends and meet new operating partners.
DAY 1 RECEPTION
Wednesday, May 17
Operating Partners Forum Europe Day 1 Networking Reception
17:40-18:30
Venue: Hilton Tower Bridge, London
A casual cocktail reception to chat with your operating partner peers at the end of the first day of the Forum.
DAY 2 BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Thursday May 18
Europe Forum Deep Dive Breakfast (operating partners only)
7:45-8:30
Venue: Hilton Tower Bridge, London
This breakfast deep dive discussion designed solely for operating partners will focus on key themes in value creation.
Women in PE and VC Portfolio Operations Lunch (invitation-only)
13:00-14:00
Venue: Hilton Tower Bridge, London
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in PE and VC portfolio operations.
Sponsored by:
Featured interactive discussions & networking opportunities
Think Tank Sessions
The closed-door session led by operating partners for operating partners only will allow you to engage in lively discussions with your peers. The thinks tanks will also allow you to submit topics to be covered in looking at the best value creation practices.
Interactive Working Groups
These exclusive deep dive discussions only available to operating partners allow you to participate in interactive roundtable discussions with designated facilitators.
Meet the largest European operating partner network:
Testimonials from attendees
Company
Attendee of the forum
As my first Operating Partners Forum event, I found it incredibly valuable to spend time with operating partners in other funds and discuss the opportunities an…
Attendee of the forum
Great operating partner attendees, content, and networking. This is a crucial event for monitoring the pulse of European private equity.
Attendee of the forum
The exchange of ideas between operating partners and their advisors, CEOs, and board members, brought useful insights and re-energised me.
Company
Attendee of the forum
As my first Operating Partners Forum event, I found it incredibly valuable to spend time with operating partners in other funds and discuss the opportunities and challenges that our portfolio companies are facing. It was also helpful to be introduced to a wide range of advisors who have the experience to support management team. I will be attending next year!
Pre-Event Resources
View the 2023 speakers
Franck Abadia
Managing Director, Operating Team, LBO France
Franck joined LBO France in 2014. He started his career in 2004 in the automotive industry (Faurecia, Asahi Glass Co.) where he held Business Development positions. He then joined Lafarge headquarters to develop energy sourcing optimizations worldwid… Read full bio
Alejandro Alcalde Rasch
Senior Director - Portfolio Support, APS Advisory
Alejandro Alcalde Rasch joined Advent in 2010 in order to help improve portfolio company performance and implement value creation plans. Prior to joining, he was the Chief Transformation Officer and Head of Supply Chain of Grohe AG, a TPG and CSFB po… Read full bio
Gilad G. Amir
Digital Operating Partner, Pollen Street Capital
Gilad joined Pollen Street in May 2018 as an EIR and came on board as Digital Operating Partner in September 2020 with a focus on supporting the digital transformation of the portfolio companies and supporting the Private Equity team with the pre/pos… Read full bio
Matt J Baird
Managing Director, Operations & Strategy, OMERS Private Equity Europe Limited
Matt is Managing Director, Operations & Strategy for OMERS Private Equity in Europe, and joined OMERS in 2017. He works with the management teams leading OMERS portfolio companies to help them generate maximum value through the lifetime of the in… Read full bio
Andrei Balta
Senior Director, Portfolio Support Group, Advent International
Andrei Balta joined Advent in 2019 as part of the Portfolio Support Group to help improve portfolio company performance. Prior to Advent, Andrei was the CEO of Pets at Home Vet Group, the leading UK veterinary services provider. In his eight years ca… Read full bio
Riccardo Basile
Operating Partner, Permira
Riccardo is a member of the Portfolio Group. He has worked on a number of transactions including Allegro, Axiom, Catawiki, Magento, Synamedia and Tricor. Prior to joining Permira, Riccardo was a Director at AlixPartners in London for five years, wher… Read full bio
Victor Benazech
Investment Director, Three Hills Capital Partners
Victor joined THCP in May 2018. Before joining the company, he worked for Lion Capital in London and Los Angeles where he focused on the consumer and retail sector. Prior to that, he was working for mid-market private equity firm Rhône Capital and Me… Read full bio
Streisan Bevan
Director, Specialist – Customer Insight and Sales Effectiveness, Mayfair Equity Partners
Streisan joined Mayfair in 2022 and works in partnership with portfolio companies to identify and unlock value through improved customer insight and sales effectiveness. She supports management teams to deliver customer first thinking and to enhance… Read full bio
Marc Bielitza
Director, Deutsche Private Equity
Prior to joining DPE, Marc was Chief Transformation Officer of HIT Holzindustrie Torgau, the world’s largest producer of Euro pallets. In that role, he spearheaded the overall transformation program and led the maintenance and procurement departments… Read full bio
Philip Borbély
COO, Private Assets AG
Philip Borbély, born 1975, is responsible for the operational development of the portfolio companies. After studying international business administration (BA) in Germany, England and the USA, he completed an Executive MBA (EMBA) Mergers & Acquis… Read full bio
Jim Corey
Managing Partner, Blue Ridge Partners
Jim is a co-founder of Blue Ridge Partners and serves as the firm’s Managing Partner. For 35 years he has assisted companies in North America, Europe and Asia accelerate profitable revenue growth. Jim has advised over 300 companies on revenue-related… Read full bio
Guillaume de Montchalin
Managing Director - Portfolio Performance, Eurazeo
Guillaume is a Managing Director, focusing on portfolio performance topics. Prior to joining, Guillaume worked for 10 years in consulting, in BCG’s Boston and Paris offices, where he was a Partner focusing on Marketing & Sales topics, as well as… Read full bio
Rob Dembitz
Investment Partner, Mirovia
Rob is an Investment Partner for the Lyvia Group, a Swedish HQ’d private equity group with offices across Europe. Lyvia invests B2B Tech enabled businesses. Rob’s career has involved working on the buy side, as an executive within PE backed businesse… Read full bio
Polly Firman
Associate, Sustainability, Actis
Polly joined the Actis Sustainability team in 2021 and has over eight years’ experience working in sustainability/ESG across Europe, LATAM, Africa, and Asia. Polly focuses on delivering Actis’ commitment to sustainable investing, integrating Actis’ s… Read full bio
Ralph Friedwagner
Managing Director and Operating Partner, CDPQ London
Ralph is a Managing Director and Operating Partner in CDPQ’s European Private Equity team. He has over 20 years’ experience as an executive, investor, advisor and board member of private companies across a range of sectors, including financial and bu… Read full bio
Dominic Gallello
Managing Director, Bridgepoint
Dominic is a Managing Director and member of the Operational Support Group. He joined Bridgepoint in 2022. Prior to Bridgepoint, he was Chief Marketing Officer of Bumble Inc. where he served as part of the executive leadership team that led the compa… Read full bio
Miles Graham
Operating Partner, Operating Partners Group
Operating Partner at the Operating Partners Group. OPG provides both Operating Team capabilities for Hedge Funds and Family Offices who do not have in-house Operating Partners, as well as originating and executing proprietary investments in Special S… Read full bio
Christopher Harwood
Operating Partner– Apollo Portfolio Performance Solutions, Apollo
Mr. Harwood joined Apollo in 2022 in Apollo Portfolio Performance Solutions (APPS) and is responsible for leading APPS in EMEA. Prior to that time, Mr. Harwood was a Managing Director in Portfolio Operations at Centerbridge Partners from 2016 to 2022… Read full bio
Alex Kesseler
Partner – Performance Improvement, Antin Infrastructure Partners
Alex Kesseler joined Antin in 2015. He is responsible for operational performance, working in close co-operation with the investment team and portfolio company management, providing support throughout the life cycle of an investment from due diligenc… Read full bio
Sachin Korantak
Partner, Conditor Capital
Sachin brings a wealth of senior level experience in PE as a PE investor, operating partner, and a board member. Previously he has been a CEO, led performance transformations in Europe and US, and was a strategy consultant at McKinsey earlier in his… Read full bio
James Markham
Senior Partner - Portfolio Management, Graphite Capital
James joined Graphite Capital in 2002. He is responsible for the monitoring of existing investments and for implementing best practice across Graphite’s investment portfolio. He maintains an advisory network for use on portfolio management and value… Read full bio
Kate Migliaro
Global Head of Portfolio Talent, Searchlight Capital Partners
Prior to joining Searchlight in 2022, Ms. Migliaro worked as a principal in talent management and organizational effectiveness at Apollo. Previously, Ms. Migliaro was the head of compensation and veteran affairs at UBS and worked in human resources a… Read full bio
Esther Nayyar
Managing Director, Due Diligence and Value Creation, ICG
Esther joined ICG in 2018 and is a Managing Director covering portfolio value creation and strategic diligence in the Subordinated Debt and Equity team. Prior to joining ICG, she spent over ten years at The Boston Consulting Group, where she advised… Read full bio
Tony O'Carroll
Head of Investment-Ops Team and Managing Director, SVPGlobal
Tony O’Carroll is a Managing Director of SVPGlobal and Head of the investment-operating team in Europe. Tony works with SVP’s investee companies, as well as in new investments, and is currently on the boards of Vita Group, Pfleiderer and Kloeckner Pe… Read full bio
Charlie Ponsonby
Co-founder and CEO, Plandek
Charlie started his career as an economist in the developing world, before moving to Accenture. He held various senior management positions in retail and technology and was Marketing Director at Sky until 2007. He left Sky to found and run Simplifydi… Read full bio
Benjamin Puche
Director Value Creation & Sustainability, Paragon Partners
Benjamin joined Paragon Partners in 2021. He is responsible for driving value creation within the portfolio companies. Prior to Paragon he was in leadership and strategy roles for a leading testing, inspection and certification player and previously… Read full bio
Duncan Ramsay
Partner, ECI Partners
Duncan is a Partner within ECI’s Commercial Team where he splits his time between assessing new deals for ECI and supporting ECI’s portfolio companies in driving their value creation agenda. Duncan has a tech background and his career has seen him fo… Read full bio
Robin Rowland OBE
Partner & Chair Rosas, Pho & Thunderbird, Trispan
From joining Whitbread in 1984, Robin has developed and led multiple pub & restaurant brands with other leading UK hospitality sector PLCS including Diageo, Scottish & Newcastle and The Restaurant Group before joining YO! Sushi as CEO in 1999… Read full bio
Suzie Ruffley
Managing Director, Global Head of People & Sustainable Culture, Foresight Group
Suzie is an Occupational Psychologist with MSc’s in Occupational Psychology and Coaching Psychology and over 18 years of human capital experience. Suzie is Global Head of People and Sustainable Culture at Foresight Group and has been with them for ov… Read full bio
Wessel Schevernels
Operating Partner, PATRIZIA Infrastructure
Wessel is an Operating Partner at PATRIZIA-Infrastructure and leads the ongoing asset management of its investee companies in Europe. He has worked for over 25 years in leading roles in both mature and emerging markets across Europe, the Middle East… Read full bio
Chris Smith
Partner, Leathwaite
Chris is a Partner with Leathwaite where he leads the firms’ global HR and Human Capital practice while also coordinating the firm’s private equity portfolio company work. Chris has over fifteen years of global search and advisory experience across H… Read full bio
Christian Trümpler
Member of Management, Operating Directors & Entrepreneurial Governance, Partners Group
Christian Trümpler is part of the Operating Directors and Entrepreneurial Governance business unit, based in Zug. He has been with Partners Group since 2012 and has 17 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Partners Group, he worked at Sonova… Read full bio
Lisa Weaver-Lambert
Data and Digital Portfolio Executive, Independent
Business leader who partners with companies to modernise technology and apply advanced data analytics to drive value and generate attractive investor returns. Extensive experience leading both nimble and large global teams in B2B and B2C companies in… Read full bio
Emma Winter
Director, Value Creation, Graphite Capital
Emma joined Graphite Capital in 2022. She is responsible for helping portfolio companies implement technology strategies and evolve their business processes through technology. In addition, she will help assess the technology strategy, capabilities a… Read full bio
Jasper zu Putlitz
Operating Partner, Triton Partners
Jasper previously was partner of McKinsey & Company, CEO of Robert Bosch Healthcare Systems and Managing Director at Accenture. He has a clinical and science background with roles as Research Fellow in Medicine at Harvard University as well as re… Read full bio
Connect with a community of expert operating partners and C-level executives
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, 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
