Awards Agenda

Dress Code: Black Tie
21 March

19:00-20:00
Cocktail Reception

20:00-21:30
Gala Dinner

21:30-22:15
Awards Ceremony Presented by KATHERINE RYAN

22:15-23:45
DRINKS & ENTERTAINEMENT

00:00
Carriages

Awards Host

Katherine Ryan

Award-winning comedian, writer, presenter, and actress Katherine Ryan is at the top of her game.

Katherine’s upcoming flagship 6 x 60’ comedy travel show with Joe Wilkinson for Channel 4 will air later this year. She recently starred in the A League of Their Own: Lionesses Special on Sky Max with Maisie Adams and Jill Scott.

Earlier in 2023 she starred in the Sky Original comedy series, Romantic Getaway, with Romesh Ranganathan.

She will soon be seen again on Cats Does Countdown for Channel 4. Also this year, Katherine starred in the latest series of Celebrity Gogglebox for Channel Four as well as Sky’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks and BBC’s The Chris and Rosie Ramsay Series.

In 2022, Katherine hosted her own hilarious 6-part global flagship series for Amazon Prime – Backstage with Katherine Ryan. She also hosted two series of the hit primetime BBC Two jewelry-making competition series All That Glitters.

Her latest comedy special, Missus, aired on Sky Comedy in late 2022 to huge acclaim. It followed a year-long international sell-out tour.

Her debut 6 x 30’ Netflix sitcom The Duchess – which she wrote, executive produced and starred in – was released in September 2020 and leapt to the top of the UK Netflix chart. She was also only the second UK-based comedian to get a Netflix Global comedy special (after Jimmy Carr) and the first woman (2017’s In Trouble). Her second special Glitter Room also sits on the platform.

Her debut book The Audacity was published by Bonnier and went straight into the Sunday Times Bestseller list. Her hit podcast Telling Everybody Everything frequently tops the podcast charts and is hosted by market-leader Acast.

Judging Panel

Axel Buchner

Chair of Entrepreneurial Finance and Corporate Finance, ESCP Business School – Berlin Campus

Axel Buchner is a full professor of finance at ESCP Business School in Berlin. He conducts research in the areas of entrepreneurial finance, venture capital and private equity. He focuses on understanding the risks, returns, and illiquidity inherent in venture capital, private equity, and other alternative investments. He has published his research in leading academic journals, including, among others, the Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Corporate Finance, Journal of Business Venturing, and Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS).

Before joining ESCP, he was Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Passau, where he also finished his Habilitation (post-doctoral university degree with lecture qualification). He holds a PhD in finance from the Technical University of Munich and a Master’s in business administration from the University of Munich. Additionally, he holds an honors degree in technology management from the Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM). During his former position at the University of Passau, he was also a visiting lecturer of finance at EDHEC Business School.
Q

Axel Buchner

Axel Buchner

Chair of Entrepreneurial Finance and Corporate Finance, ESCP Business School – Berlin Campus

Axel Buchner is a full professor of finance at ESCP Business School in Berlin. He conducts research in the areas of entrepreneurial finance, venture capital and private equity. He focuses on understanding the risks, returns, and illiquidity inherent in venture capital, private equity, and other alternative investments. He has published his research in leading academic journals, including, among others, the Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Corporate Finance, Journal of Business Venturing, and Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS).

Before joining ESCP, he was Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Passau, where he also finished his Habilitation (post-doctoral university degree with lecture qualification). He holds a PhD in finance from the Technical University of Munich and a Master’s in business administration from the University of Munich. Additionally, he holds an honors degree in technology management from the Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM). During his former position at the University of Passau, he was also a visiting lecturer of finance at EDHEC Business School.
Q

Elena Pantazi Read

Partner, Talent & Portfolio, Northzone

Elena focuses on helping Northzone’s portfolio companies build strong teams and advise founders on their growth journey. She also works closely with our investment team on pre-deal talent needs across deal origination and due diligence. Prior to Northzone, Elena was Director of Operations and Head of Marketing & Communications at Bain Capital Private Equity Europe. Before this, Elena was an Investment Manager at venture philanthropy fund Impetus and VP of research at Third Bridge, a fast-growing start-up, having joined as an early employee. Elena started her career at UBS as an Investment Banker. She holds an MBA from INSEAD, an MPhil in International Relations with Distinction from Cambridge and a BSc in Economics from UCL.
Q

Elena Pantazi Read

Elena Pantazi Read

Partner, Talent & Portfolio, Northzone

Elena focuses on helping Northzone’s portfolio companies build strong teams and advise founders on their growth journey. She also works closely with our investment team on pre-deal talent needs across deal origination and due diligence. Prior to Northzone, Elena was Director of Operations and Head of Marketing & Communications at Bain Capital Private Equity Europe. Before this, Elena was an Investment Manager at venture philanthropy fund Impetus and VP of research at Third Bridge, a fast-growing start-up, having joined as an early employee. Elena started her career at UBS as an Investment Banker. She holds an MBA from INSEAD, an MPhil in International Relations with Distinction from Cambridge and a BSc in Economics from UCL.
Q

Fiona Cumming

Partner, Global co-head Fund Finance practice, Allen & Overy

Fiona is a partner in our London finance practice and is Global co-head of our Fund Finance practice.

Fiona relocated from our Hong Kong office in July 2021 after 13 years in Asia where she established the fund finance practice in APAC in 2015 and since then, together with her colleagues across Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, advised on some of the largest and most innovative fund finance transactions in the market.

Fiona has extensive knowledge of the full suite of global fund finance products (including subscription line facilities, NAV facilities, hybrid facilities and GP and manco financings) as well as more general debt finance experience in leveraged and event driven acquisition financings, real estate financings, special situations and hybrid instruments.

She works across all private capital asset classes advising funds as borrowers and lenders as well as for other financial institutions providing financing to funds.

Fiona is a member of the board for Women in Fund Finance (WFF) Europe, having previously been the co-chair of WFF Asia-Pacific.
Q

Fiona Cumming

Fiona Cumming

Partner, Global co-head Fund Finance practice, Allen & Overy

Fiona is a partner in our London finance practice and is Global co-head of our Fund Finance practice.

Fiona relocated from our Hong Kong office in July 2021 after 13 years in Asia where she established the fund finance practice in APAC in 2015 and since then, together with her colleagues across Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney, advised on some of the largest and most innovative fund finance transactions in the market.

Fiona has extensive knowledge of the full suite of global fund finance products (including subscription line facilities, NAV facilities, hybrid facilities and GP and manco financings) as well as more general debt finance experience in leveraged and event driven acquisition financings, real estate financings, special situations and hybrid instruments.

She works across all private capital asset classes advising funds as borrowers and lenders as well as for other financial institutions providing financing to funds.

Fiona is a member of the board for Women in Fund Finance (WFF) Europe, having previously been the co-chair of WFF Asia-Pacific.
Q

Jonathan Goor

Independent Operating Partner, Ex Acuris (Mergermarket, Inframation, SparkSpread)

Jonathan Goor has over 20 years of experience working successfully and collaboratively in private equity portfolio, VC and large private companies across business information, research, data, events, and news verticals globally. He was an integral member of the Acuris management team – a stellar investment for European private equity fund BC Partners that eventually exited to ION in 2019. Jonathan currently invests, advises and consults, with particular focus on private equity and SMEs in the subscription business information sector.
Q

Jonathan Goor

Jonathan Goor

Independent Operating Partner, Ex Acuris (Mergermarket, Inframation, SparkSpread)

Jonathan Goor has over 20 years of experience working successfully and collaboratively in private equity portfolio, VC and large private companies across business information, research, data, events, and news verticals globally. He was an integral member of the Acuris management team – a stellar investment for European private equity fund BC Partners that eventually exited to ION in 2019. Jonathan currently invests, advises and consults, with particular focus on private equity and SMEs in the subscription business information sector.
Q

Jonathan Hosgood

Partner, Ex BC Partners, Barclays, Credit Rubric

Jonathan has 22 years experience within private equity and leveraged credit with a successful investment track record across various sectors and asset classes. NED, team leadership and franchise building credentials.
Q

Jonathan Hosgood

Jonathan Hosgood

Partner, Ex BC Partners, Barclays, Credit Rubric

Jonathan has 22 years experience within private equity and leveraged credit with a successful investment track record across various sectors and asset classes. NED, team leadership and franchise building credentials.
Q

Kathleen Van Aerden

Head of Research, Actum Group

Kathleen has over 15 years’ experience in M&A and Private Equity data research. She started her career joining the Mergermarket EMEA Research team which she later headed for longer than eight years before shifting her focus to support the product and data development from the Technology department for a few years. Meanwhile Kathleen completed an Executive MBA at the Cranfield School of Management in 2019 and obtained the ESG Investing Certificate from CFA UK in 2021. She joined Actum at its creation early 2021 to start a Research Department.
Q

Kathleen Van Aerden

Kathleen Van Aerden

Head of Research, Actum Group

Kathleen has over 15 years’ experience in M&A and Private Equity data research. She started her career joining the Mergermarket EMEA Research team which she later headed for longer than eight years before shifting her focus to support the product and data development from the Technology department for a few years. Meanwhile Kathleen completed an Executive MBA at the Cranfield School of Management in 2019 and obtained the ESG Investing Certificate from CFA UK in 2021. She joined Actum at its creation early 2021 to start a Research Department.
Q

Marc Kitten

Partner at Candecic & Visiting Finance Professor at Imperial College,Candecic, Imperial College

Marc is a co-founder of Candesic, a strategy and CDD consultancy focused on healthcare and life sciences. He serves private equity investors and executives globally, also as a NED. He is a Visiting Professor in finance at Imperial College London, in charge of the Private Equity classes in graduate and executive programs. He has 20 years’ experience lecturing in Private Equity and is the author of the Vault Guide to Private Equity in Europe. Prior to joining Candesic, Marc was a consultant at McKinsey & Co. and a VP at Deutsche Bank Global Markets. He holds an MBA from Chicago Booth, completed the Young Managers Programme at INSEAD and graduated from EDHEC Business School in finance. Marc speaks fluent French, English and German, conversational Spanish and Russian, and tries hard to improve his Mandarin.
Q

Marc Kitten

Marc Kitten

Partner at Candecic & Visiting Finance Professor at Imperial College,Candecic, Imperial College

Marc is a co-founder of Candesic, a strategy and CDD consultancy focused on healthcare and life sciences. He serves private equity investors and executives globally, also as a NED. He is a Visiting Professor in finance at Imperial College London, in charge of the Private Equity classes in graduate and executive programs. He has 20 years’ experience lecturing in Private Equity and is the author of the Vault Guide to Private Equity in Europe. Prior to joining Candesic, Marc was a consultant at McKinsey & Co. and a VP at Deutsche Bank Global Markets. He holds an MBA from Chicago Booth, completed the Young Managers Programme at INSEAD and graduated from EDHEC Business School in finance. Marc speaks fluent French, English and German, conversational Spanish and Russian, and tries hard to improve his Mandarin.
Q

Myriam Vander Elst

Chief Engagement Officer, ComEx and Board member, Epic Foundation

As Chief Engagement Officer at Epic Foundation, Myriam Vander Elst understands well the transformative influence of giving. “The foundation uses the power of money and network to help those who have not been so lucky, to make the world a better place and to contribute to society,” she said.

Epic is committed to enabling solutions for individuals and businesses to support high-impact social organisations. Myriam joined the foundation in 2015 after a chance meeting with founder and CEO Alexandre Mars.

Following the sale of her family business in 2011 Myriam found herself looking for purpose - a cause that aligned with her values. “To be the sixth generation of a highly successful family is unusual. And to have lasted so long in business highlights how cohesive our family culture was.”

Myriam spent the next three years looking for a charitable cause to put her inheritance to good use. This proved difficult as she struggled to find something she could really believe in.

When in 2015 Myriam met Alexandre Mars, serial entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of Epic Foundation, she had a light bulb moment. “His vision was to make giving the norm”. The rigour of Alexandre’s approach and key principles of honesty, impact and effectiveness appealed to Myriam.
Q

Myriam Vander Elst

Myriam Vander Elst

Chief Engagement Officer, ComEx and Board member, Epic Foundation

As Chief Engagement Officer at Epic Foundation, Myriam Vander Elst understands well the transformative influence of giving. “The foundation uses the power of money and network to help those who have not been so lucky, to make the world a better place and to contribute to society,” she said.

Epic is committed to enabling solutions for individuals and businesses to support high-impact social organisations. Myriam joined the foundation in 2015 after a chance meeting with founder and CEO Alexandre Mars.

Following the sale of her family business in 2011 Myriam found herself looking for purpose - a cause that aligned with her values. “To be the sixth generation of a highly successful family is unusual. And to have lasted so long in business highlights how cohesive our family culture was.”

Myriam spent the next three years looking for a charitable cause to put her inheritance to good use. This proved difficult as she struggled to find something she could really believe in.

When in 2015 Myriam met Alexandre Mars, serial entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of Epic Foundation, she had a light bulb moment. “His vision was to make giving the norm”. The rigour of Alexandre’s approach and key principles of honesty, impact and effectiveness appealed to Myriam.
Q

Ngowari Adikibi

Partner, Stephenson Harwood

Ngowari’s practice involves delivering innovative solutions for the structuring, creation, negotiation and marketing of different forms of funds investing predominantly in Europe and Africa (including French fund structures, Luxembourg vehicles, English, Scottish and Channel Islands limited partnerships, Mauritius funds and hybrid structures).

Ngowari also creates carried interest structures and regulated portfolio management entities for management teams. She advises fund managers on regulatory matters relating to their authorisation and their marketing, operation and management of funds. She equally assists management companies with the process and contractual framework for the distribution of fund interests. In addition, she advises private equity houses on international investments and divestments of portfolio assets in general, and secondary transfers of interests in portfolio funds.

Prior to joining Stephenson Harwood, Ngowari was a lawyer in the International Funds department of a leading global law firm in international funds.

Having previously obtained solid experience of complex and high-end cross-border M&A/ private equity transactions within the corporate/ private equity departments of several US law firms in London and Paris, Ngowari also gained significant emerging markets experience working in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, where she advised European investors regarding foreign investment in the Mercosur.
Q

Ngowari Adikibi

Ngowari Adikibi

Partner, Stephenson Harwood

Ngowari’s practice involves delivering innovative solutions for the structuring, creation, negotiation and marketing of different forms of funds investing predominantly in Europe and Africa (including French fund structures, Luxembourg vehicles, English, Scottish and Channel Islands limited partnerships, Mauritius funds and hybrid structures).

Ngowari also creates carried interest structures and regulated portfolio management entities for management teams. She advises fund managers on regulatory matters relating to their authorisation and their marketing, operation and management of funds. She equally assists management companies with the process and contractual framework for the distribution of fund interests. In addition, she advises private equity houses on international investments and divestments of portfolio assets in general, and secondary transfers of interests in portfolio funds.

Prior to joining Stephenson Harwood, Ngowari was a lawyer in the International Funds department of a leading global law firm in international funds.

Having previously obtained solid experience of complex and high-end cross-border M&A/ private equity transactions within the corporate/ private equity departments of several US law firms in London and Paris, Ngowari also gained significant emerging markets experience working in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, where she advised European investors regarding foreign investment in the Mercosur.
Q

Paul Francis-Grey

Editor, Actum Group

Paul has spent more than 20 years writing about business and finance for a variety of publications and organisations. Having started his career covering the derivatives market, on which he spent several years before becoming Editor of Futures & Options Week, Paul later wrote about commodities until joining Mergermarket in 2008. While at the M&A news and data company, Paul headed the Financial Services coverage, writing extensively on private equity activity across Europe. He later took on the role of Features Editor before moving to Dutch investment bank ING as Editor of Behavioural Economics. Paul returned to writing about private equity and M&A when he joined Actum to establish its editorial desk in 2020.
Q

Paul Francis-Grey

Paul Francis-Grey

Editor, Actum Group

Paul has spent more than 20 years writing about business and finance for a variety of publications and organisations. Having started his career covering the derivatives market, on which he spent several years before becoming Editor of Futures & Options Week, Paul later wrote about commodities until joining Mergermarket in 2008. While at the M&A news and data company, Paul headed the Financial Services coverage, writing extensively on private equity activity across Europe. He later took on the role of Features Editor before moving to Dutch investment bank ING as Editor of Behavioural Economics. Paul returned to writing about private equity and M&A when he joined Actum to establish its editorial desk in 2020.
Q

Tanya Tracey

CEO, GAIN – Girls Are INvestors

Tanya is the CEO at GAIN following a career in investment banking, investor relations and running a diversity and inclusion programme. She is passionate about increasing the number of women in investment management and is a member of the CFA UK Inclusion & Diversity Network committee. Tanya studied German and European Studies at University College London and loves travelling, cooking, gardening, yoga & walking her dog.
Q

Tanya Tracey

Tanya Tracey

CEO, GAIN – Girls Are INvestors

Tanya is the CEO at GAIN following a career in investment banking, investor relations and running a diversity and inclusion programme. She is passionate about increasing the number of women in investment management and is a member of the CFA UK Inclusion & Diversity Network committee. Tanya studied German and European Studies at University College London and loves travelling, cooking, gardening, yoga & walking her dog.
Q

Virginie Favre

Global Head of Market Data - Global Financial Services, Natixis IM & Natixis CIB - Groupe BPCE

Q

Virginie Favre

Virginie Favre

Global Head of Market Data - Global Financial Services, Natixis IM & Natixis CIB - Groupe BPCE

Q

Awards Finalists

Winners

Actum Group’s 2024 Private Equity Value Creation Awards brought together more than 200 senior executives, across private equity funds, portfolio companies, advisors and consultants in recognition of their incredible work achieved in the space of value creation.

Advisors

Value Creation Firm of the Year

This award is separated into categories that cover Revenue & Growth; People and organisational strategy; Digital transformation; Operational Process Improvements; and ESG. Submissions will be made by advisors in each category. Judges will evaluate submissions that highlight work that has been undertaken across portfolio companies in each respective category. Submissions should demonstrate the achievements that have been made during value creation projects and the success they have since earned for the company.

Q

Value Creation Firm of the Year

This award is separated into categories that cover Revenue & Growth; People and organisational strategy; Digital transformation; Operational Process Improvements; and ESG. Submissions will be made by advisors in each category. Judges will evaluate submissions that highlight work that has been undertaken across portfolio companies in each respective category. Submissions should demonstrate the achievements that have been made during value creation projects and the success they have since earned for the company.

Q

Value Creation Firm of the Year

This award is separated into categories that cover Revenue & Growth; People and organisational strategy; Digital transformation; Operational Process Improvements; and ESG. Submissions will be made by advisors in each category. Judges will evaluate submissions that highlight work that has been undertaken across portfolio companies in each respective category. Submissions should demonstrate the achievements that have been made during value creation projects and the success they have since earned for the company.

Q

Value Creation Firm of the Year

This award is separated into categories that cover Revenue & Growth; People and organisational strategy; Digital transformation; Operational Process Improvements; and ESG. Submissions will be made by advisors in each category. Judges will evaluate submissions that highlight work that has been undertaken across portfolio companies in each respective category. Submissions should demonstrate the achievements that have been made during value creation projects and the success they have since earned for the company.

Q

Value Creation Firm of the Year

This award is separated into categories that cover Revenue & Growth; People and organisational strategy; Digital transformation; Operational Process Improvements; and ESG. Submissions will be made by advisors in each category. Judges will evaluate submissions that highlight work that has been undertaken across portfolio companies in each respective category. Submissions should demonstrate the achievements that have been made during value creation projects and the success they have since earned for the company.

Q

Providers

Value Creation Software Award

This will be awarded to a software company in the private equity sector that excels in fostering value creation through innovation, efficiency, and significant impacts on operational and financial outcomes. The judging process will center on evaluating the software's effectiveness in strategic alignment, enhancing investor and company transparency, and its novel development approaches. Key areas of focus are streamlining data management, embedding ESG metrics, and promoting technology and innovation, all aimed at underlining the software's role in driving revenue growth, operational improvements, sustainable practices, and overall value creation.

Q

Value Creation LP of the Year Award

This award celebrates LPs in the private equity sector for their outstanding role in driving value creation. The judging criteria include strategic involvement in promoting growth, innovation, operational improvements, and ESG practices, the introduction of innovative and value-adding initiatives, impactful collaboration with General Partners (GPs), and the LP's overall influence in setting industry standards and enhancing the private equity ecosystem.

Q

Value Creation ESG Award

This award honours Limited Partners (LPs) who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, driving tangible value creation across the key three elements. The judging criteria include the integration of ESG principles into investment strategies and decision-making, the selection of new General Partners (GPs) based on ESG criteria, the promotion of ESG efforts and best practices among their current private equity managers, and the adoption of policies that demonstrate a long-term commitment to responsible investing. 

Q

LIMITED PARTNERS

Value Creation Software Award

This will be awarded to a software company in the private equity sector that excels in fostering value creation through innovation, efficiency, and significant impacts on operational and financial outcomes. The judging process will center on evaluating the software's effectiveness in strategic alignment, enhancing investor and company transparency, and its novel development approaches. Key areas of focus are streamlining data management, embedding ESG metrics, and promoting technology and innovation, all aimed at underlining the software's role in driving revenue growth, operational improvements, sustainable practices, and overall value creation.

Q

Value Creation LP of the Year Award

This award celebrates LPs in the private equity sector for their outstanding role in driving value creation. The judging criteria include strategic involvement in promoting growth, innovation, operational improvements, and ESG practices, the introduction of innovative and value-adding initiatives, impactful collaboration with General Partners (GPs), and the LP's overall influence in setting industry standards and enhancing the private equity ecosystem.

Q

Value Creation ESG Award

This award honours Limited Partners (LPs) who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, driving tangible value creation across the key three elements. The judging criteria include the integration of ESG principles into investment strategies and decision-making, the selection of new General Partners (GPs) based on ESG criteria, the promotion of ESG efforts and best practices among their current private equity managers, and the adoption of policies that demonstrate a long-term commitment to responsible investing. 

Q

Providers

LIMITED PARTNERS

Value Creation Software Award

This will be awarded to a software company in the private equity sector that excels in fostering value creation through innovation, efficiency, and significant impacts on operational and financial outcomes. The judging process will center on evaluating the software's effectiveness in strategic alignment, enhancing investor and company transparency, and its novel development approaches. Key areas of focus are streamlining data management, embedding ESG metrics, and promoting technology and innovation, all aimed at underlining the software's role in driving revenue growth, operational improvements, sustainable practices, and overall value creation.

Q

Value Creation LP of the Year Award

This award celebrates LPs in the private equity sector for their outstanding role in driving value creation. The judging criteria include strategic involvement in promoting growth, innovation, operational improvements, and ESG practices, the introduction of innovative and value-adding initiatives, impactful collaboration with General Partners (GPs), and the LP's overall influence in setting industry standards and enhancing the private equity ecosystem.

Q

Value Creation ESG Award

This award honours Limited Partners (LPs) who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, driving tangible value creation across the key three elements. The judging criteria include the integration of ESG principles into investment strategies and decision-making, the selection of new General Partners (GPs) based on ESG criteria, the promotion of ESG efforts and best practices among their current private equity managers, and the adoption of policies that demonstrate a long-term commitment to responsible investing. 

Q

General Partners

Value Creation Deal of the Year

This award will be judged on investments realised in 2023 that have created the most value measured by the % increase in EBITDA between acquisition and exit, coupled with value creation metrics delivered. This award is divided into four main categories: large, upper-mid, lower-mid, and growth.

Q

Value Creation Deal of the Year

This award will be judged on investments realised in 2023 that have created the most value measured by the % increase in EBITDA between acquisition and exit, coupled with value creation metrics delivered. This award is divided into four main categories: large, upper-mid, lower-mid, and growth.

Q

Value Creation Deal of the Year

This award will be judged on investments realised in 2023 that have created the most value measured by the % increase in EBITDA between acquisition and exit, coupled with value creation metrics delivered. This award is divided into four main categories: large, upper-mid, lower-mid, and growth.

Q

Value Creation Deal of the Year

This award will be judged on investments realised in 2023 that have created the most value measured by the % increase in EBITDA between acquisition and exit, coupled with value creation metrics delivered. This award is divided into four main categories: large, upper-mid, lower-mid, and growth.

Q

Best Use of Technology in Value Creation

Here the judges are looking at how private equity firms have deployed technology to identify, develop or execute value creation levers. This could include the use of data or software in ways that had not previously been considered or applied by the portfolio company.

Q

Value Creation Team of the Year

In this category, the judges are looking for a case study that demonstrates a high degree of collaboration and teamwork between sponsor, executive management and third-party consultant to successfully deliver a specific value creation goal over the last 12 months.

Q

Value Creation Initiative of the year

In this category the judges are looking for a standout initiative implemented in the last 24 months that have had a material impact on the operations of a business. This could include, among other things, complementary or transformative bolt-on acquisition; new product launches; new pricing models; digital enhancements or implementation; internationalising a company. The award covers initiatives made in the last two years to allow them to demonstrate value.   

Q

Value Creation Innovation Award

Judges will award this to a private equity house that has introduced novel ways of growing a company or applied new or revolutionary value creation strategies or levers that have led to material improvements to a particular business or sector. Judges will also take into account innovative R&D within companies that has resulted in new, cutting edge product development or launches that have made a significant impact and impression on its specific sector.   

Q

Value Creation ESG Award

This will be awarded to a private equity firm that has demonstrated excellence across all three areas of ESG and the impact this sponsor has made upon its portfolio companies. Judges will take into account Environmental initiatives that have been introduced to a business such as making a company carbon neutral, reducing the use of travel across the company and making workspaces greener. Governance initiatives will take into account how a sponsor has ‘professionalised’ a company by installing best practise procedures, creating relevant reporting lines or establishing a Board and ensuring the company meets all of its sector-specific regulatory requirements. The Social element of this category will be judged on how pro-active a sponsor encourages diversity and inclusion across a company’s workforce and management. It will additionally look at the work companies do for its community and charitable initiatives it may champion.  

Q

Value Creation Expansion Award

This will be awarded to the private equity firm that has effectively led a portfolio company in expanding in new countries, product lines or service offerings. Judges will take in to account the breadth of expansion, its financial impact on the company's balance sheets, the number of new jobs created, the speed and ease at which the expansion was achieved and the way in which the expansion has enhanced the overall business.   

Q

Group Portfolio Collaboration Excellence Award

The Judges are looking for examples of sponsors that use high levels of knowledge-sharing and cross-pollination of ideas throughout its various portfolio companies. This could include annual or quarterly events attended by respective CEOs of companies or centralised online portals where management teams can make business enquiries or get in touch with investment managers or fellow management teams for advice. 

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ALL

Value Creation Rising Star Award

This is awarded to an individual who has worked in the private equity sector for no longer than two years and demonstrated an outstanding talent in identifying and executing value creation and growth strategies, which have proven to deliver exceptional results across one or more investments during their short time in the industry.  

Q

Awards Tables

“Our team had a fantastic evening, and the event as a whole was utterly scintillating! Great chance to network also and meet others in the PE space – a full-bodied spectrum of talent in attendance“.

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Agenda
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