HR / talent management
22 July 2024
Profile: Karen Sands, COO, Federated Hermes Private Equity
From psychology to finance; from finance to COO; Karen Sands charts her professional journey, highlighting how her interpersonal skills have helped her reshape teams
17 July 2024
A&M launches exec search through acquisition
Professional services firm launches A&M Search by integrating Wilkinson Partners
8 July 2024
Column: The performance prescription
Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates on the value of integrating health into development programmes
8 July 2024
Profile: Jörg Helten, CFO, Maguar Capital
Shares his vision for a centralised IT infrastructure which allows for seamless LP and SP plug-ins as well as the road he is taking to get there
4 July 2024
Carry on as before?
Will a new Labour government’s plans for taxing carried interest mean the party is over for PE?
28 June 2024
Phoenix’s Steve Darrington retires
Darrington exclusively shares with The Drawdown some final thoughts before concluding his career
27 June 2024
Profile: Audrey Kahn, Activa Capital
Five months into her CFO role at the firm, Kahn compares her past experiences in an outsourced and internal senior finance function, as well as balancing personal achievements with professional ones
3 June 2024
In Conversation: Connecting high tech with high touch
As processes become increasingly automated and data determined, what role will personal connections and interaction play in the future of private markets?
3 June 2024
Ecosystemic change
Matthias Plötz investigates the forces driving diversity and inclusion in private equity
31 May 2024
Canoe and InfoGrate partner up
The consulting partnership is aimed at providing outsourced CTO services to family offices
28 May 2024
Cost cutters: Four tips for operational resilience
Ace & Company’s managing partner Sally Beh says careful cash management is a crucial step in trying times
24 May 2024
Fair HQ and Ciphr team up
Collaboration to help firms accelerate their DEI progress and embed behavioural change in the workplace
23 May 2024
Profile: Charles Rousset, Revaia
The CFO/COO shares milestones from the emerging manager’s journey and dives into operational due diligence and collaborating with one’s LPs
13 May 2024
Profile: Patrick Ghoche, Inovia Capital
The CFO shares what he has learnt from his versatile experiences in investment banking and working for a public manufacturing firm
13 May 2024
NetScientific’s EMV acquires Martlet
London-based deep tech VC EMV Capital will manage Cambridge seed stage investor Martlet Capital’s c.£23.3m portfolio of investments
10 May 2024
Petra Funds appoints chief of staff
Steven Antonson previously worked in-house at US VC firm Zero Infinity Partners as CFO and COO
2 May 2024
The FTC’s non-compete ban and its consequences
If you or your loved ones have been incentivised to remain at your current employer, you may be entitled to compensation
2 May 2024
Top of the ops: Be young, be foolish, be PE?
This episode of TOTO examines talent retention in PE with Kerry Heaton, chief people officer at Hg
2 May 2024
Recipe for success(ion)
Chef’s tip: Make sure to carefully fold succession planning into the mixture before cooking up a fundraise
15 April 2024
3…2…1… lift-outs!
Could back office lift-outs take off in Europe as an alternative to traditional outsourcing?
11 April 2024
Sheenagh Dougall replaces Lesley Cairney as Artemis COO
Cairney’s retirement at the end of May follows that of compliance head Graeme Mitchell in March
8 April 2024
Profile: Dorothea Sztopko, Golding Capital Partners
Heralds COOs as the agents of change, discusses their role in digital transformation and highlights the importance of communication
4 April 2024
Exec search firms BraddockMatthews and David Barrett combine
Now known as BraddockMatthewsBarrett, the firm aims to reach a wider client base of alternative asset management firms between London, New York and Boston
2 April 2024
Column: Optimise to incentivise
Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Advisors considers whether incentive schemes in private equity do enough to develop talent
2 April 2024
Normal service: disrupted
GPs are increasingly focusing on culture to convince the next generation of talent to make the industry their destination of choice
20 March 2024
Quilvest taps global HR lead
The Drawdown speaks to ex-Pantheon Richard Berke about the transition
18 March 2024
5 minutes with… Will Roxburgh, Khepri
The managing partner talks MJ Hudson management buyout origins, the market consolidation in fund administration and its consequences for the rise of boutique firms
4 March 2024
EMH Partners promotes several
Maurice Faber appointed SVP of operations; firm welcomes Achim Kreuzer as ESG manager; Leandra Daum appointed finance associate
15 February 2024
Profile: Sally Beh, ACE & Company
Shares some key management tips she has adopted after 11 years at the firm
12 February 2024
Carta and Merge combine
The partnership aims to enhance equity management processes
12 February 2024
General Atlantic takes minority stake in Partners Capital
Transaction is a bid to support firm with managing succession
2 February 2024
LISTEN: Top of the ops: Operational utopia
The Drawdown team tackles the concept of a PE firm that entirely outsources the investment function
1 February 2024
My life at ECI Partners
The Drawdown goes undercover and through the firm’s succession programme put in place after the initial founders left
29 January 2024
Stake a chance on… New Catalyst Strategic Partners
Jason Howard’s freshly hatched firm, backed by Apollo, aims to support emerging managers, among others
29 January 2024
IPEM: Cash and carry
Anxieties about capital and compensation were not far from the surface at the latest IPEM event in Cannes
29 January 2024
5 minutes with… Kate Pljaskovova, founder of Fair HQ
The digital D&I tool aims to assist GPs to develop in-house and portfolio company HR strategies through scientific research and industry benchmarks
26 January 2024
Eurazeo makes group management appointments
Isabelle Mathieu (left) joins as group chief human resources officer; Coralie Savin (right) as group chief communications officer
26 January 2024
Icecapital, Capza top ranked for compensation
The results of a new survey from Armen and HEC suggest France and the Nordics are the place to be if you want carry or equity
18 January 2024
Profile: Philippe Renauld, Sienna Investment Managers
The CFO and COO shares his passion for operational excellence, highlights the importance of an LP-centric culture and talks ‘democratisation’ of private markets
17 January 2024
Dawn promotes four
In the ops team (pictured), the firm has promoted Adina Goga to director of legal and Gamila Hassan to talent acquisition lead
15 January 2024
Networking for introverts
Cressida Hamilton, executive coach at Chryse Coaching, has some advice for those who wince at the thought of corporate small talk
12 January 2024
Una Terra appoints founding partner and COO
Yves Frey joins the Swiss VC from investment manager SUSI Partners
11 January 2024
Profile: Jesper Frydensberg Rasmussen, Axcel
The CFO discusses the importance of clearly defined roles and how CFOs can support their firm in uncharted economic environments
9 January 2024
Catalysing fund administration
Independent fund administrator Alchelyst emerges in Ireland and aims to differentiate itself through employee ownership, state-of-the-art tech and close-quarters service culture
4 January 2024
Profile: John Mansvelt, Apheon
CFO and AIFM conducting officer tells the story of his transition from audit to PE, his key governance duties and shaping a new cultural identity
2 January 2024
Comment: The building blocks
Karma Samdup and Vicki Odette, partners at Haynes & Boone, explore the core elements needed when building a successful PE firm
2 January 2024
Operational utopia
If operations professionals made all the decisions, what would the perfect PE firm look like?
20 December 2023
Postcards from Portugal: Keep your fund admins closer
In a final reflection from The Drawdown’s Operational Leaders Summit, we highlight views on nearshoring and the need to love your fund admin
20 December 2023
Comment: Brand building materials
Olivia Barry of Prosek Partners explains how social media and branding have become increasingly important to private market fundraising
19 December 2023
Column: Tech-tonic talent
Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates argues that AI-led transformations of business will require a seismic shift towards critical thinking
11 December 2023
What DEI you mean?
Dynamo’s latest report on ESG reporting finds LPs and GPs have different expectations when it comes to DEI reporting
7 December 2023
Postcards from Portugal… Top talent
Attracting and retaining junior talent requires clear direction and HR initiatives
27 November 2023
Profile: Martim Avillez, Limerston Capital
The COO and founding partner discusses setting up the firm’s operations, combining them with his investment duties and navigating difficult times
24 November 2023
Goddard leaves role at Zetland Capital
The former COO and CFO has been with the special situations house since it was founded in 2016
20 November 2023
Firm identity
A tight fundraising environment and ESG fund naming conventions warrant a closer look at the names of private equity entities, writes Matthias Plötz
14 November 2023
Abris Capital launches DEI code for portfolio
Firm makes commitments across education, governance, ownership and process with the aim of influencing industry practice
13 November 2023
The digital CFO
While most CFOs would protest at the idea of their entire role being outsourced, an example of a plug-in CFO service is the upcoming launch of Corvus Group. Is it time to outsource the CFO entirely?
2 November 2023
Stake a chance on… Bonaccord Capital
The firm’s GP stake strategy focuses on capital formation and ‘creating an enduring institution’
30 October 2023
Comment: Outsmarting the slowdown
Scott Ramsey of MUFG Investor Services explores how finance and ops leaders are laying the groundwork for growth
25 October 2023
PFA launches compensation module
Tool to provide analytics, management reports, compensation letters and leadership summaries
19 October 2023
Profile: Gerwin Theiler, capiton AG
The CFO and partner reflects on how the industry has changed and talks shop about continuation vehicles and succession planning
16 October 2023
Column: Everyone an ESG expert? Forget about it
Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates considers digital dementia, ESG and the value of prioritising critical thinking
11 October 2023
Universal Investment’s COO heads up Luxembourg
Etienne Rougier aims to help with UI efa’s growth
9 October 2023
Avocado toast and carry
An open ear for the next generation’s concerns and demonstrating how PE can address them could be the key to answering the talent question
5 October 2023
The roots of diversity
A diverse hiring process should focus on removing unconscious bias at the roots of your business rather than just getting the optics right
2 October 2023
Column: Seeking diversity in adversity
Dörte Höppner of The Riverside Company argues that an economic downturn is the ideal time for PE firms to diversify their talent pools
2 October 2023
New tools needed?
CFOs in the European midmarket worry about talent retention and whether their management strategies will be enough to nurture the leaders of tomorrow, writes Jon Whiteaker
28 September 2023
Profile: Melanie Wiese, Deutsche Beteiligungs AG
The CFO and member of the board of management walks us through lessons learned in the course of her career and how her passion for a diverse and collaborative culture translates into practice
26 September 2023
FCA and PRA propose D&I reporting measures
The consultation papers aim to introduce frameworks to measure D&I objectives
22 September 2023
What the AI?!... NGP Capital
VP of data analytics Atte Honkasalo and partner Christian Noske discuss how NGP’s internal startup search platform is shaking up operational workflows
18 September 2023
Column: ChatGPT: Enhancement or hindrance?
Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates considers the ways AI applications such as ChatGPT could both boost and diminish human cognition
18 September 2023
DIY in the wild wild East
Across Lebanon and Palestine, enterprising GPs are piloting their industry with no legislative framework or operational ecosystem, as Matthias Plötz investigates
13 September 2023
CVC appoints chief people officer
Katharina Koenig is to succeed global head of HR Helene Thomas
4 September 2023
Taking the plunge
The vast pools of capital located in the UAE remain the main draw for private equity firms but a local office is increasingly needed to access them
9 August 2023
The Drawdown Award Winners: Flavie Jean and Maria Stasse
Flavie Jean and Maria Stasse, co-heads of HR at Ardian, were named HR & Talent Professional of the Year at The Drawdown Awards 2023
3 August 2023
Profile: Markus Gyssler, EMERAM Capital Partners
The managing partner and COO reflects on 10 years at the firm, walks through its succession programme and explains how he combines operational with investment duties
27 July 2023
‘GPs are becoming more creative’
Following his move from Travers Smith to Dechert, we caught up with fund formation veteran Sam Kay to get his take on the current market
24 July 2023
The Drawdown Awards winners: Matt Guy
Matt Guy, associate director at Federated Hermes Private Markets, was named Rising Star of the Year at The Drawdown Awards 2023
20 July 2023
Shiny happy people
In conversation with Investindustrial’s head of talent, Cordelia Dolan, we discuss the art of driving value creation through human capital
17 July 2023
The Drawdown Awards winners: Kristy Trieste
Kristy Trieste, founding partner of Motive Partners, was named Chief Financial Officer of the Year at The Drawdown Awards 2023
10 July 2023
Silicon Roundabout Ventures appoints CTO
The firm’s first operational hire, Ralph King, joins to support its aim of building a ‘tech-driven’ VC company
5 July 2023
Stafford Capital cements legal function
Following the appointment of general counsel Jim Marsh in February, The Drawdown can reveal that the firm has now brought in a chief compliance officer
3 July 2023
Golding appoints HR partner
Barbara Phélippeau joins the firm to lead the transformation to a sustainable and holistic practice
21 June 2023
SET Ventures promotes firm’s first CFO
Leonie Mekel joined the firm in 2016 as a manager for operations and compliance, and was most recently director of finance and operations
13 June 2023
Increase in designated ESG managers at PE firms
According to Acuity Knowledge Partners’ 2023 Global Private Markets Outlook, just under 69% of PE firms surveyed have a dedicated ESG professional within their organisation
8 June 2023
The Drawdown Awards 2023: Winners announced
Congratulations to all of the winners of The Drawdown Awards 2023
5 June 2023
State of substance
How are GPs giving their firms the necessary mass to operate in Luxembourg?
25 May 2023
Top CFO priority: Talent retention
Survey finds talent attraction and retention to be the key objective, after asset growth
15 May 2023
In-house rules: legal versus compliance
As more lawyers move into in-house roles within private equity, they can take up the mantle of either legal or compliance – but how do these functions cross and diverge?
11 May 2023
More than half of GPs anticipate increase in tech budget
New survey findings reveal that 51% of emerging GPs expect larger IT spends during the coming year
12 April 2023
One Rock appoints chief people officer
Monica Yavin joins the firm after six years at First Eagle Investment Management
27 March 2023
Low carb diet
How can GPs shed the weight of their greenhouse gas emissions within their own organisations
23 March 2023
Profile: Brian Mason, BC Partners
The head of technology discusses the human side of tech and its role in decision making
20 March 2023
Role call: head of talent
More importance is being placed on the role of chief talent officer and the value it can bring. What competitive edge does it provide?
17 March 2023
Montagu promotes nine
Firm makes key appointments across tax, finance and HR departments
9 March 2023
Room for improvement
Majority of PE and VC firms below industry standards when it comes to equality, diversity and inclusion but trajectory is upwards, Equality Group finds
8 March 2023
Embrace (private) equity
This International Women’s Day, the theme is ‘embrace equity’. We spoke to Jacqueline Taiwo, co-founder of Black Women in Asset Management, to understand her firm’s impact
7 March 2023
LPs recalibrating risk appetite
Adams Street Partners’ 2023 Global Investor Survey highlights increasing LP scrutiny and an increased demand for private credit opportunities
6 March 2023
PE playing catchup when streamlining operational processes
Intertrust’s new research highlights GPs’ desire to combat operational weaknesses amid changing LP demands
6 March 2023
Intern-al culture
Adam Black, partner and head of ESG and sustainability at Coller Capital, details the importance of ESG interns in creating a good culture
27 February 2023
Housing in-house counsel
More and more GPs are adding legal counsel to their teams - but how are they faring with the integration process?
16 February 2023
Profile: Louise Denning, Montagu
The CFO discusses her remit and operational governance
2 February 2023
New risks, new insurance
PE is increasingly recognising the need for directors and officers insurance, while ESG is adding a new dimension to mismanagement claims
25 January 2023
Diversity and inclusion executive search firm launches
Follett Parker aims to help women fill senior roles within private equity
23 January 2023
Pantheon appoints chief financial officer
Dean Maines joins the firm as CFO and partner, as two senior operations team members are promoted to partner
19 January 2023
Profile: Rebecca Roberts, Conviction VC
Co-founder and COO of Conviction VC, Rebecca Roberts, comments on the importance of understanding the needs of her team when building a successful enterprise
18 January 2023
‘CFOs are embracing their role as strategic leaders’
Key takeaways from EY’s 10th annual Global Private Equity Survey
16 January 2023
Deal breakers
A guide for hiring managers and female candidates when striving to fill senior-level positions
16 January 2023
PE’s got IT-alent
As PE is increasingly becoming data- and software-driven, it is struggling to source the talent equipped to leverage new technologies. How can GPs incentivise tech talent to come onboard?
20 December 2022
Ambienta promotes CFO to partner
Daniele Gatti’s decade at Ambienta sees him promoted to partner
13 December 2022
PE short on tech talent
The gap is particularly wide in automation and cybersecurity, according to a new survey
8 December 2022
The great talent depression
Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates believes private equity firms can be doing much more to better understand, and therefore attract fresh talent
5 December 2022
Discrimination of ethnic minorities remains high
Ineffective HR policies and lack of representation are driving forces, says Reboot
5 December 2022
Ardian extends profit sharing to portfolio companies
The firm has partnered with nonprofit organisation Ownership Works to facilitate value sharing
