Agenda
Embracing Innovation and steering change- The Future of Private Equity Operations
Jon Whiteaker, Editor, The Drawdown
With persistent inflation, rising interest rates, and ongoing geopolitical issues a key industry professional will set the scene to how private capital markets are navigating their way through these challenges to create innovative opportunities.
Karim Palant, Director of External Affairs, BVCA
- How has the definition of 'resilience' changed for PE firms in recent years We're seeing a growing appetite for specialised strategies and more flexible fund structures.
- How are market conditions driving this innovation, and what are some of the most compelling trends being observed?
- What are the key drivers behind the market moving towards consolidation, and how are firms navigating the complexities of managing multiple strategies and asset classes?
Speakers:
Alex Di Santo, European Head of Private Equity, Gen II
Hamish Mair, Managing Director and Head of Private Equity, Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Peter Northcott, Partner, Chief Operations Officer, Hereford Capital
- Fundraising in the current low-liquidity environment: strategies for attracting capital and managing investor expectations.
- Valuation challenges: the impact of updated ILPA guidelines, auditors' stricter stance on last-round pricing, and the need for transparency.
- Tax structuring considerations in the current market: optimising fund structures and navigating evolving tax regulations.
- Exploring the role of third-party valuation providers and their increasing scrutiny
Moderator: Nisha Raghavan, Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Actis Partners
Speakers:
Roland Graaf, CFO, Bencis Capital Partners
Daniel Minay, Head of Finance and Operations, Meron Capital
Matthias Dux, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Avellinia Capital
- How are recent amendments to AIFMD and other EU regulations reshaping private market operations? What are the key compliance priorities for firms today?
- What operational strategies are firms implementing to stay ahead of regulatory shifts and maintain a competitive edge?
- How are private equity firms adapting their workflows to meet evolving securities regulations, AML requirements, and KYC standards efficiently?
- What’s next on the regulatory horizon, and how should firms prepare for future developments in private markets oversight?
Speakers:
Jonathan Pugh-Smith, General Counsel - Funds and Compliance Officer, Bregal Investments
Anna Coutts-Donald, Commercial Director, Vistra
- How do you determine when to use insourcing vs outsourcing?
- Considering the impact of increased regulatory requirements and the role of digitisation.
- Discuss the challenges of selecting appropriate providers through navigating the crowded market and choosing systems that meet specific needs and budgets.
Moderator: Shuli Levy, CFO/COO, Expedition Growth Capital
Speaker:
Tom Seymour Mead, Chief Financial Officer, Signal Capital Partners
Bryan Astheimer, Head of IMS, SEI
- How can GPs leverage advancements in automation and data management to enhance reporting insights and efficiency
- What trends are driving change in investor reporting?
- How can GPs evolve their data and reporting functions to adapt to changing investor expectations?
- With private equity increasingly focused on tapping retail markets, will DPI become more important?
Moderator: Chris Sparenberg Head of iLEVEL, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Speakers:
Alan Chu, Partner, Finance & Operations Director, Beachbrook Capital
Gilad G. Amir, Digital Operating Partner, Pollen Street Capital
Salman Shaikh, Director & Head of Transformation, Pemberton Asset Management
- The practical applications of AI in investment processes: market research, due diligence, portfolio management, and reporting.
- Managing and policing AI usage within teams: protecting proprietary information and ensuring responsible AI implementation.
- The challenges of verifying and critically assessing information obtained from AI tools like ChatGPT
Speakers:
Jan Beitner, Director, Data & AI, Inflexion Private Equity
Ties Boukema, Head of Data and AI, Dawn Capital
Tarak Gorai, Director and Operating Partner, Mavenswood
Julian Schickel, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Avellinia Capital
Entering the retail market: Facilitator: | The new frontier: How GP stakes are shaping private equity markets
| Succession planning- what’s next?
| Changing role of the COO |
- As secondaries and co-investments reshape portfolio construction, what operational adjustments are needed to manage deal execution, valuations, and investor reporting?
- With market activity accelerating here, how should firms refine their operational models to handle increased transaction volumes, regulatory scrutiny, and investor expectations?
- What role are innovative structures like continuation vehicles playing in this evolution?
- What’s next for secondaries? As both supply and demand momentum builds what opportunities could this present
Speakers:
Thomas Hallinger, Managing Director, Secondaries, Golding Capital Partners
Adam King, COO, CVC Secondary PartnerMillie Silver, CFO, Clipway
Millie Silver, CFO, Clipway
Agenda
Jon Whiteaker, Editor, The Drawdown
- Industry veterans share their experiences navigating past market downturns, boom periods, and other significant events.
- Reflecting on past industry trends and their implications for the future of private markets.
- Sharing insights on successful investment strategies, risk management, and leadership in challenging times.
Moderator: Diana Meyel, Managing Partner, Cipio Partners
Speaker: Karen Sands, COO, Federated Hermes Global Private Equity
- How is the relationship between LPs and GPs evolving in the context of fund financing?
- Explore emerging fund financing trends, such as tech platforms, specialized lenders, and hybrid structures.
- Assess how increased secondaries activity due to market dislocation creates challenges and opportunities for managers and investors, and the role of fund financing.
Moderator:
Ben James, Head of Lender Engagement, Fund Finance Alpha Group
Speakers:
Giovanni Pericolini, Co-Founder & Partner, Medicxi
Dan Beary, CFO, Bow Street
Consolidation- is it good or bad for the industry? Facilitator: | Building a diverse and dynamic talent pipeline for the future Facilitator: | ESG: Beyond compliance - Real impact or greenwashing? |
Since the publication of the Letta- and Draghi reports in 2024 it has been all hands on deck for the European Commission to revitalise a broad spectrum of regulatory and policy initiatives to fill the EU’s competitiveness gap. The policies and regulatory initiatives will have operational impact for venture-, private equity and infrastructure investors, but are the initiatives too late, too little and how will they fit into a geopolitical agenda radically changed since 2024.
Martin Bresson, Public Affairs Director, Invest Europe
- Analyse global fund performance trends, regional variations, and sector-specific insights, focusing on DPI as a key indicator amid market shifts like illiquidity and valuation discrepancies.
- Explore the role of alternative metrics (MOIC, PME) in assessing fund performance and addressing inconsistencies in calculation and benchmarking.
- Discuss the evolution of private equity performance measurement with increased regulatory scrutiny, ESG integration, and advanced data analytics.