Private Equity
International
International
Operating Partners Forum: Europe All Access 2021
16 - 17 November 2021,
Hilton Tower Bridge, London
This live event is now part of the Operating Partners All Access membership
An Operating Partners All Access membership is a new way to keep a global network of operating partners in the know with high-level content and networking across the year.
The Operating Partners Forum: Europe is now just one of the many essential updates we’ll give you throughout the year with your Operating Partners All Access membership.
The value creation event for alternative asset classes
Europe’s largest event aimed at driving value within private equity owned companies is back in London.
Join your peers at this crucial time to discuss how to deal with the current downturn and return to growth post-crisis. Hear from experienced operating partners and C-level executives on how they continue to deliver value creation strategies, create top-line growth and drive EBITDA improvement in their portfolio.
The event provides extensive opportunities to connect with your peers. Join one-to-one meetings, group discussions, and think tanks to build relationships and compare value creation best practices.
Featured speakers in 2021 include
Connect with value creation professionals
Previous Forum attendees include
Testimonials
David Bryan
Managing Partner & CEO, BM&T
This is now the must-attend event for Operating Partners in the UK if not Europe. An excellent opportunity to catch up with the latest thinking and to network w…
Benjamin Bach
Partner, E2T Capital
Good forum, practical, a wealth of know-how sitting in the room and straight to the point
Charlotte Gregson
Comatch, Managing Director UK
The forum is a great environment to connect with familiar faces, meet new people and discuss topical issues facing the industry
David Bryan
Managing Partner & CEO, BM&T
This is now the must-attend event for Operating Partners in the UK if not Europe. An excellent opportunity to catch up with the latest thinking and to network with peers
Your membership includes:
Operating Partners All Access is a service that connects you to the people and resources that can help guide you through today’s ever-changing nuances of doing your job, year-round.
This Forum is one of the many essential updates we’ll give you throughout the year with your Operating Partners All Access membership. All event attendees must be members.
One click access to value creation expertise from the safety of your workspace
Our purpose-built event platform provides you with a number of way to network. Attendees get year-round access to the event platform. Set up your meetings ahead of time, as well as continue conversations and make connections after the forum has ended.
The virtual networking experience
1
Search for business opportunities.
Filter individual profiles and decide who you want to meet based on company type, sector or region.
2
Get maximum visibility.
Send a direct message that goes straight to the recipient’s corporate email as well as their inbox on the platform.
3
Schedule video meetings.
Meet with speakers or attendees of individual agenda sessions through the main agenda.
4
Reach out and make new connections.
Attendees have access for 12 months to the operating partner community.
Hear from leading operating partner professionals
Discover how your peers are responding to the impact of the pandemic and discover business priorities for 2021.
Access 16 hours of interactive content from 100 speakers across the two days. Watch keynote interviews, panel discussions, debates and much more.
With the online platform you can:
- Create your own daily agenda so you don’t miss a meeting or a key session
- Take part in the sessions through speaker Q&A and live polling
- Watch any sessions you missed at a later date. All sessions will be available on-demand
Explore the sponsor exhibition
Explore the virtual exhibition hall and chat with sponsors to discover solutions to your business concerns.
Through the platform you can:
- Visit the virtual exhibition booth to discover the range of solutions available to help you better serve your customers
- Interact with the exhibitors you can request more information with the click of a button or arrange a meeting to discuss the products and services in more detail
Connect with value creation professionals
The virtual experience allows you to find and connect with the people you want to meet more easily. Search the attendee list, start a conversation and arrange meetings with value creation professionals.
Find the people you want to meet
Want to catch up with an old colleague or make a new contact with a specific focus?
Search and filter the delegate list and create a shortlist of the people you most want to meet. Message them to chat and arrange online video meetings throughout the event.
Arrange 1-2-1 video meetings
Share strategies and discuss ways to find growth post-pandemic in private meetings. During the event you can have video meetings with other attendees. Simply search the delegate list for the people you want to meet, arrange a time and send them a meeting invite. You can invite up to five people to any one meeting.
Identify other attendees with the same interests
Whatever your area of interest the forum discussions allow you to take part in conversations on the issues that matter most to you or start your own topic.
You will be able to see who else is joining the conversation and message them privately if you want to continue the discussion.
12 months access to the community
You will have 12 months of access to the platform. Login 4 weeks before the event to build your agenda and arrange meetings with the people you want to meet during the event.
The messaging and forums, as well as access to recordings of all sessions will be available 12 months after the event.
View the agenda for 2021
View agenda page
Agenda
Day 1 - Tuesday 16th
Plenary
08:45 - 09:15
The evolution of value creation in an economy that has been fundamentally shifted
Alan Roux
- How has investment strategy and type of company being invested in changed? What is the knock-on impact on operating partners?
- Have economic disruption and lockdowns impacted how much PE firms engage with external advisors?
- To what extent has the speed of evolution of operating teams increased in the past 18 months?
- Has the profile of full-time operating partners been enhanced?
09:15 - 09:55
Commercial Excellence Keynote Survey
Jim Corey
Event knowledge partners Blue Ridge will present findings of a commercial excellence survey followed by reflections from leading operating partners on the results.
09:55 - 10:25
Making the “magic quadrant” work: how the deal partner, operating partner, CEO & board chairperson can work together to deliver value creation
Jim Strang
- Defining the roles of all four members of the quadrant and why every situation is different
- How can operating partners help set a framework for success?
- How operating partners can work most effectively with each member of the quadrant
- War stories of when the group doesn’t function and how-to turnaround challenging situations
10:25 - 10:50
Keynote Interview
10:50 - 11:30
Coffee & networking
Plenary
11:30 - 12:00
Developing a value creation plan for carve-outs
Krzysztof Drozd
- Why carveouts lend themselves to significant improvements
- Developing a value creation strategy during due diligence
- The importance of negotiating a detailed Transition Service Agreement
- Making a 100-day plan once your foot is in the door
12:00 - 12:30
Innovative tech strategies for customer retention
- Using tech, machine & AI to manage customer retention
- The importance of identifying your key audience
- Post-sale marketing to keep customers engaged
- The importance of focusing on net retention
12:30 - 13:00
How digital transformation can give PE firms a competitive edge
- Leveraging data & analytics to unlock cross-portfolio value
- Developing a digital strategy for more traditional companies
- Transforming in house processes in addition to those at portfolio companies
- Using digital to transform the outside-in approach
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
Functional Breakouts: Stream A
14:00 - 14:35
How to make the board effective in a disrupted economy
Alex Kesseler
- Should operating partners be on the board
- Working out the ideal skillset composition
- Considering the role of the chair
- Maintaining focus and avoiding some of the common mistakes of a board
14:35 - 15:10
Ensuring a positive CFO/CEO relationship to drive success
Alain Beyens
- What is the ideal skillset for a portfolio CFO?
- How to best support CFOs without previous PE experience
- Dealing with a breakdown in relations between CFO & CEO
15:10 - 15:45
Why addressing diversity is a business imperative
Elizabeth Wallace
- To what extent should operating partners be looking at their own team vs. portfolio companies?
- Looking at initiatives from different PE firms, what has been successful?
- How to ensure management at portfolio companies takes diversity seriously
15:45 - 16:20
How to turn culture into a value driver
Daniel Huber,
Martijn Bouquet
Functional Breakouts: Stream B
14:00 - 14:35
Tech & talent: why a tech transformation plan needs to prioritise people first
- How to highlight and address issues with tech expertise
- Ensuring management teams are capable of delivering
- Cast studies where the management team has been transformed in terms of tech expertise
14:35 - 15:10
Data science and advanced analytics in private equity
Lisa Weaver-Lambert
- To what extent are data and AI becoming embedded in value creation plans?
- Do firms need inhouse data science expertise?
- Practical tips to avoid drowning in useless data
15:10 - 15:45
Implementing digital and technological transformation a time of change
- Using technology to make your portfolio businesses more efficient
- Understanding the challenges around web-enablement and changes in consumer behaviour
- Working with leadership to implement tech initiatives
15:45 - 16:20
Technology value creation and exit strategy
Guillaume Bourcier
- Showing the value of investment in tech during a PE ownership cycle
- Highlighting opportunities for future tech gains for the next owner
- Pragmatic steps to position for exit
Breakout Workouts: Stream C
14:00 - 14:35
Optimising sales for the hybrid world
Moti Shahani,
Harshavardhan Ramanan
- What should the sales organisation look like, now that buyers and sellers are working in hybrid office / home set-ups?
- How should field, virtual and digital sales work together to grow revenue?
- How should the new sales model be led, managed and measured?
14:35 - 15:10
Cost optimisation to unlock value
- Identifying which areas to prioritise
- Focusing on pricing as we all as cost out
- Setting targets and getting management buy-in
- Implementing a cost performance culture in companies
15:10 - 15:45
Accelerating valuation through the go-to-market lever
Marc Metzner
- Prioritising your growth buyers and their new buyer journeys
- Leveraging the right mix of customer-facing roles and ways to reach them
- Driving GTM change early enough to significantly impact valuation
15:45 - 16:20
Using digital and analytical tools to enhance procurement savings
Michaela Merlin-Jones
- What digital tools are available?
- Having a cross portfolio view of procurement
- Using expert advisors vs. having your own inhouse expertise
16:20 - 16:45
Coffee & networking
Plenary
16:45 - 17:15
Tech due diligence to ensure post-deal technological success
- How involved are operating partners?
- To what extent is it possible to develop a tech plan pre-deal vs. dealing with what you are given?
- Dealing with integration challenges when they come
17:15 - 18:15
Roundtable discussions over drinks
- Procurement Challenges
- Salesforce Effectiveness
- Board Effectiveness
- Talent Management
- Digital Transformation
Agenda
Day 2 - Wednesday 17th
08:00 - 09:30
Invitation-only Think Tank for Operating Partners
This closed-door session is an opportunity to share first-hand accounts on how to best position yourself in your career as an operating partner. The think tank will expose the toughest challenges operating partners face daily and will allow you to learn best practices in dealing with them.
Plenary
09:30 - 10:10
Deal Mechanic case studies: Operational excellence stories explained by the participants
10:10 - 10:40
Why integrating ESG into value creation plans is now a necessity
Mark Lino,
Anna Dellis,
Rob Hetherington
- To what extent should sustainability experts be leading on ESG vs. someone on the investment team?
- Mapping out and engaging with all key stakeholders on ESG
- Incentivising management and portfolio companies with sustainability based KPIs
- Moving to net-zero and how the work involved can benefit the exit value
Moderator: Marc Lino, Partner, Global ESG leader for Private Equity, Bain & Company
10:40 - 11:10
How PE investors can help portfolio companies drive long-term value
Frédéric Brunner,
Simon Adcock
- Considering the reasons that executives sometimes focus on short-term results
- Why it crucial to not relying purely on growth
- Investing and managing talent to ensure success
- Improving outcomes for all stakeholders in the business
Moderator: Frédéric Brunner, CEO and Founder, Genioo
11:10 - 11:40
Shaping management equity plans to drive value creation
- Outlining the issue that PE firms have had because of changing tax laws
- Creating equity plans to align all key stakeholders
- Case studies of successful implementation and why it is so important
- How to react when things go wrong due to economic disruption
11:40 - 12:15
Coffee & networking
Plenary
12:15 - 12:45
Making CEOs effective at PE backed companies
- Choosing the right CEO, how crucial is previous experience of working with PE?
- What specific characteristics are most important for CEOS
- The importance of CEO interactions with the PE house and board
- What are the usual reasons for failure? Spotting issues and when to pull the trigger
12:45 - 13:15
How to successfully implement a buy-and-build strategy
- The importance of choosing the right sector and why cashflow is king
- Building on a solid platform and targeting companies that add value
- Going in with eyes wide open to possible issues
- Case studies in successful and failed buy-and-builds
13:15 - 14:00
Close of conference followed by lunch
14:00 - 15:00
Invitation only workshop sessions
Our workshops will offer an opportunity for operating partners to discuss different topics of value creation in small groups allowing you to build your network of operating partners with similar areas of expertise.
Workshop A: Board Effectiveness
Workshop B: Digital Marketing – Led by Bain & Company
Workshop C: Customer Experience
2021 Speakers
For more information on speaking opportunities please contact Charles Gould at charles.g@peimedia.com or call +44 (0) 203 879 3893.
Simon Adcock
Partner, Head of Portfolio Management, Bowmark Capital
Simon is a partner of Bowmark and a member of the Investment Committee, and head of the firm’s Portfolio Management and Value Creation team. He sits on a number of portfolio company boards and has led over 10 exits. Prior to Bowmark, Simon was a seni… Read full bio
Martijn Bouquet
Portfolio Operations Manager, Waterland
Martijn Bouquet is Portfolio Operations Manager* at Waterland in Bussum, the Netherlands. Prior to joining Waterland, Martijn was an independent strategic advisor to a number of Dutch SMEs; focused on strategy, professionalization and transformation… Read full bio
Guillaume Bourcier
Operating Director, Hivest Capital Partners
Guillaume began his career in the packaging division of the Pechiney Group as an internal auditor in North America and then a plant controller in Brazil. He then worked as a consultant for almost 10 years in strategy within the Paris office of Bain… Read full bio
Frédéric Brunner
CEO and Founder, Genioo
As CEO & Co-Founder of Genioo, Frédéric advises and helps global corporations and their senior executives to innovate, transform and grow more rapidly. Frédéric is passionate about creating a better future for clients and their companies. He work… 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 250 companies on revenue-related… Read full bio
Anna Dellis
Partner, 3i Infrastructure
Anna joined 3i in 2006, is a Partner in the Infrastructure team, and leads asset management for the portfolio of economic infrastructure investments. Over the last 12 years, Anna has had a leading role on many of the large infrastructure investments… Read full bio
Krzysztof Drozd
Senior Managing Director, Varde Partners
Krzysztof Drozd is Global Head of Portfolio Operations focused on value creation in Värde private equity investments. Based in London, he joined the firm in 2007. Prior to joining Värde, Krzysztof was a Manager at Deloitte responsible for advisory on… Read full bio
Rob Hetherington
Senior Operating Partner, Bregal Milestone
Rob leads Milestone Performance Partners, the portfolio optimisation capability in Bregal Milestone. He is an investor in Bregal Milestone and has previously acted as a Senior Advisor to the firm and as a Board Advisor to Basware, one of the firm’s p… Read full bio
Daniel Huber
Head of Human Resources, Capvis AG
Daniel joined Capvis in 2019 as Head HR. Previously, he was Head Group HR at Alpiq AG, and had leading HR-positions at Alstom, Schindler, PwC and at C and A Group. Daniel holds a M.A. in Business Administration from the Universities of Zurich and Yal… Read full bio
Alex Kesseler
Principal - Head of Performance Improvement, Antin Infrastructure Partners
Alex leads Antin’s Performance Improvement team which identifies operational value creation opportunities and supports management teams in realising them, from the due diligence phase to divestment. He has significantly supported the Deal Teams for I… Read full bio
Mark Lino
Partners, Global ESG Leader for Private Equity, Bain and Company
Marc Lino is a partner in our Amsterdam office. He is the head of our Private Equity and Mergers & Acquisitions practices in the Netherlands and is the global ESG leader for our Private Equity practice. Marc is also a senior member of the firm's… Read full bio
Michaela Merlin-Jones
Senior Associate, Vendor Optimization Specialist, Apax Partners
Michaela Merlin-Jones is a Senior Associate in the Operational Excellence team. She joined Apax Partners in 2019 and is currently based in the UK. Prior to joining Apax Partners, Michaela was a Senior Manager at Efficio, a specialist Procurement cons… Read full bio
Marc Metzner
Vice President, Alexander Group
Marc Metzner is a vice president in the Stamford office. He has over 20 years of experience working across media, software/SaaS, medical products, business services and manufacturing to improve sales and marketing strategy and effectiveness. As natio… Read full bio
Harshavardhan Ramanan
Investment Director, LDC
Harsha is responsible for helping LDC portfolio companies deliver profitable growth through commercial excellence. Since joining LDC in 2017, Harsha has partnered with nearly 20 LDC portfolio companies to deliver incremental enterprise value of over… Read full bio
Alan Roux
Operating Partner, CVC Capital Partners
Alan is a member of CVC's private equity operations team and is based in London. Prior to CVC, Alan was an operating partner responsible for Blackstone's European private equity portfolio of companies, holding several board roles particularly in the… Read full bio
Moti Shahani
Managing Director, Blue Ridge Partners
Moti serves as a Managing Director of Blue Ridge Partners, based in London and serving PE firms and their portfolio companies across Europe. Moti has more than 25 years' experience of driving value-creating growth. Before joining Blue Ridge Partners,… Read full bio
Jim Strang
Chairman of the Board, Hg Capital
Jim is an experienced Private Markets investment professional and strategy consultant with a wide range of Board and C-level experience gained across multiple organisations over the last 25 years, notably with Hamilton Lane, the largest investor glob… Read full bio
Elizabeth Wallace
Head of Portfolio Talent, Hg
Elizabeth Wallace is the Head of Portfolio Talent at Hg and is responsible for ensuring outstanding talent continues to be hired and supported in our portfolio companies. Before joining Hg in 2019, Elizabeth worked at BlackRock, the world’s largest a… Read full bio
Lisa Weaver-Lambert
Data and Digital Portfolio Executive
Lisa is senior executive with extensive experience using data and technology to accelerate performance. Previously Digital and Data Director at Montagu Private Equity, ex-Accenture, and brings a strong and diverse line role experience in business-led… Read full bio
2021 Sponsors
For more information on available sponsorship opportunities in 2021 please fill in the enquiry form or contact Christopher Wagland at chris.w@peimedia.com or call +44 (0) 207 566 5475.
