Private Funds
CFO
Network
CFO
Network
Europe Forum
13 - 14 November 2024,
Sofitel London St James, London
Optimizing your global finance and operations strategies
Join us at the Private Funds CFO Network’s Europe Forum in London on November 13-14, 2024.
The Forum will bring together operations and finance professionals across all key asset classes while giving you the opportunity to network with and benchmark against your peers.
Secure your Private Funds CFO Network membership to gather with the most influential CFOs, COOs and their teams in Europe.
Why the Private Funds CFO Europe Forum?
Connect year-round
Build lasting relationships with your peers not only through the two-day event but also year-round with the Private Funds CFO Network membership.
Unrivalled content
Hear from leading experts as they offer a mixture of insightful, data-driven presentations, topical panel discussions and interactive debates.
More than an event
Use your Private Funds CFO Network membership year-round to stay ahead of the markets and connect with your peers.
2024 keynote speaker
Dabinder Hutchinson
CFO
National Trust
Dabinder joined the National Trust in May 2023, bringing extensive Chief Financial Officer experience gained in large multi-national corporations, with particular experience in renewable energy, media and technology companies. Topics of discussion include:
- As the demands of leadership evolve, how can executives develop their resilience throughout their careers and navigate challenges when things don’t go to plan?
- In high-intensity roles, what are the benefits of cultivating inner stability? How can leaders remain present-minded amidst various distractions and pressure?
- How can perseverance in times of adversity strengthen leadership effectiveness as well as the resilience and cohesion of a team?
- And more…
2024 featured speakers
2023 attendees included:
What our attendees say about the Forum
Vantage Infrastructure
Alex Geach, Finance Director
An excellent conference offering a wide range of relevant panel discussions and the opportunity to effectively network
NTR
Marie Joyce, Chief Financial Officer
An excellent mix of peers – never a wasted journey to this conference, learn something new and make new connections every time
StepStone Group
Stephen Penny, Partner & CIO
Great coverage of current relevant topics for COOs/CFOs with good balance between high-level intro to broader issues and deep dives into most topical issues
2024 Agenda
Last year’s agenda was built through consultation with influential finance and operations leaders in private equity and venture capital. The topics covered improved processes and practices within your firm, including:
- Effectively managing your portfolio
- Staying on top of the latest regulatory initiatives
- Finding and retaining top talent
- Navigating the future of carried interest
View agenda page
Agenda
Day 1 - Wednesday 13th
08:00 - 09:00
Registration ＆ coffee
08:00 - 09:00
Invite-only women’s CFO ＆ COO networking breakfast
Plenary
09:00 - 09:05
Chairperson’s Welcome Address
09:05 - 09:45
Opening Panel: CFO/COOs outlook- Preparing operations for the future
Brendan Dolan
- Predictions for the future of the CFO role to manage a fund
- Preparation for future operational & finance challenges in a high inflation and rising rate climate.
- Impact of AI on fund operations and portfolio business models
- Operational trends and best practices to help GPs make the most of opportunities?
- Key operational challenges (Sideletter, Tax leakage etc.)
09:45 - 10:10
Keynote Address: The resilient leader- Cultivating inner stability in the face of adversity
Dabinder Hutchinson
Dabinder Hutchinson, CFO, National Trust
10:10 - 10:55
Jumping global ESG hurdles and meeting investor demands
- Is the pace of change towards sustainable investing practices in private markets on track?
- What are the current challenges faced under SFDR?
- How do CFOs approach the unique challenges which investment funds face with limited ESG data?
- Are there enough ESG standards & metrics?
Networking
10:55 - 11:25
Networking coffee break
Plenary
11:25 - 11:50
In-Focus Fireside chat: The rise of co-investments
Richard Kirkby,
Gaurav Saxena
11:50 - 12:30
Panel: Managing Cybersecurity risks and IT infrastructure
Christian Scott
- How are private funds getting DORA compliant?
- Cybersecurity metrics when integrating a new tool: key risks & what is important to know?
- How is artificial intelligence being used to improve cybersecurity tools?
- Prevention of the cyber threat: does the responsibility extend across the enterprise?
- What are today’s threats and how are firms responding?
12:30 - 12:55
Fireside chat: The rise of impact-linked carry
- How do CFOs view the value of impact linked carry?
- Should a portion of carried interest be linked to impact performance and why?
- How are GPs implementing this mechanism?
Networking
12:55 - 13:55
Networking Luncheon
Track A
13:55 - 14:30
Key Compliance and Enforcement Considerations
Haris Vrahliotis
- Frequent compliance issues in the private fund area
- Best practices and policies against the backdrop of evolving regulatory and enforcement concerns.
- Impact of democratisation of private markets on regulatory scrutiny
- How are GPs approaching SEC and global regulatory reporting requirements and updates to policies?
14:30 - 15:05
Fund Finance and the growing market for NAV loans
Emad Shahin
- With rising rates and increasing implementation costs are investors turning against nav financing and long dated facilities?
- Is the market limited to funds of a certain size?
- How do sustainability practices apply to NAV financing?
- Setting up multi strategy and multi jurisdiction/ expanding into asset classes and new geographies
15:05 - 15:40
Adapting to new technology and AI
- How are funds embracing generative AI systems to increase operational efficiency?
- What’s the next phase of technology integration within private market funds?
- How can CFOs build the optimal tech and operational structure to meet their firm’s most pressing needs?
Track B
13:55 - 14:30
Fund formation and structuring trends
Christophe Tasiaux
- Impact of the rise in demand for semi-liquid and evergreen products
- Overcoming challenges from non traditional fund structures
- Structural limitations of evergreen funds and their potential for committed ticket solutions
- Challenges and experiences when marketing alternative investment funds in Europe and cross-border
14:30 - 15:05
Navigating fundraising challenges in an inflationary climate
- What are the different types of structures to secure capital and how is this evolving?
- Accessing DC/401k capital?
- Impact of fundraising headwinds on the operational side of fund management
- Expanding and managing fundraising efforts across the globe
15:05 - 15:40
Good practices in Liquidity and Funding Risk Management
Kyri Yiannakis
- Key frameworks to manage liquidity risk
- What is the best approach in managing currency exchange rate risks with evolving FX markets?
Networking
15:40 - 16:10
Networking coffee break
Interactive Workshops
16:10 - 17:00
Enhancing operational efficiency through target operating models
Sahem Gulati,
Patrick Spicer
- How to link transformation with target operating model aims
- Key operating model challenges in private markets
- How do private market managers involve their operating models in an ever increasing complex environment
- Navigating and designing a operating model that is the foundation of the business
- Mapping out end to end value claim
- How do you create something to scale
- how to access data at the portfolio, fund and client level and manipulate to suit stakeholder needs – is there a scalable solution? The impact of data strategies on the CFO/COO functions? Overlay of AI?
- Case study example
Co-Facilitated by:
Sahem Gulati, Head of Strategy & Consulting, M&G
16:10 - 17:00
Valuations in alternative assets
- Why should GPs consider third-party valuation in alternative assets
- FCA Letter to investment managers – to the asset manager community
- How managers can demonstrate the right oversight when it comes to private markets in
- Dealing with the regulatory scrutiny on valuations
- How do you have true independence if its internal- should you consider
- How do valuations differ across different markets/regions
16:10 - 17:00
Operational Due diligence 101
- What approaches should be taken when conducting Financial Due Diligence?
- What happens when the data is limited?
- Challenges and practical examples.
17:00 - 18:00
Networking reception
Agenda
Day 2 - Thursday 14th
08:00 - 09:30
Registration ＆ Coffee
CFOs ＆ COOs think tanks (GPs only)
08:45 - 09:30
CFOs ＆ COOs in Private equity (GPs only)
08:45 - 09:30
CFOs ＆ COOs in Private debt (GPs only)
08:45 - 09:30
CFOS ＆ COOs in Infrastructure (GPs only)
08:45 - 09:30
CFOs ＆ COOs in Real estate (GPs only)
Melinda Knatchbull
Facilitated by Melinda Knatchbull, CFO, Sellar
Plenary
09:30 - 09:40
Chairperson’s day 2 welcome remarks
09:40 - 10:20
Benchmarking and Performance measurement
- How do you undertake like for like benchmarking?
- The rise of the PME in benchmarking
- Managing the inherent limitation of benchmarking eg: Preqin data sets, Cambridge Associates
10:20 - 10:35
PEI Data Presentation
Evie Taylor
10:35 - 11:15
Debate: Outsource vs insource model challenges
- Key technology implementations to drive automation
- Which focal areas are you seeing new investment?
- Which technology benefits do CFO/COOs place most value on?
Networking
11:15 - 11:50
Networking coffee break
Plenary
11:50 - 12:10
In-Focus Fireside chat: Will GP Led secondaries become the ‘new normal’?
- How is this market moving forward in the new age of fewer exit possibilities & higher interest rates
- Why are LPs starting to show more interest in GP stakes?
12:10 - 12:40
Panel: Building the right firm culture and managing the ever-increasing value of human capital
Marion Buten,
Tina Page,
George Velikov
- What are GPs doing to win the right people?
- Building the right culture in an organisation
- How to ensure diversity of thought, background, culture to drive a high performing team?
- How to reflect DE&I in senior hires?
- How is the operating environment for GPs impacting the types of skills firms are looking for in relation to finance recruits?
- How are firms taking into account cultural and generational differences in the workforce?
12:40 - 13:10
Lessons learned: Building and scaling a good organisation (LP vs. GP view)
- How to attract talent and keep talent?
- How to ensure diversity of thought, background, culture to drive a high performing team?
- Post merger motivation?
- Incentive schemes
- How to find the right strategy and the right niche?
- Key scalability and organisational requirements
- How are GPs adhering to global corporate governance
Networking
13:10 - 14:10
Interactive roundtable discussions over Lunch
Pre-Event Resources
2024 Speakers
Contact Hannah Ogun at hannah.o@pei.group for speaking opportunities in 2024.
Connect with a community of CFOs, COOs and senior finance executives
The Private Funds CFO Europe Forum offers a unique opportunity for providers to engage and connect with senior compliance professionals in the private equity sector through thought leadership, networking, and more.
For exclusive sponsorship packages for 2024, contact Josh Stoller at joshua.s@pei.group or call +1 646 970 3923.
2024 Sponsors
Where CFOs, COOs and CCOs connect, learn and grow
Drive success through the Network
The Private Funds CFO Network provides senior finance, operations, and compliance professionals in private markets an exclusive hub to connect, learn, and grow year-round.
By joining the Network, you’ll gain access to a community of peers actively seeking solutions to shared challenges, along with our year-round series of networking events, regular peer meetups, and monthly meetings led by industry experts, providing opportunities to earn CPE credits.
Got questions? Our membership team is here to help!
Monthly meetings
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Connect with like-minded peers in your field, such as Women, Emerging Managers, Venture Capital and more.
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The Network offers five free hours of virtual executive coaching with our vetted coaches.
Think Tanks
Extend the in-depth discussion of monthly meetings, or ad-hoc topics need to be discussed.
In-person meetups
Local members gather regularly to catch up and connect.
Earn CPE credits
The Network offers 20+ CPE credits throughout the year.
Current members include:
Over 300 members are actively building valuable relationships and sharing their challenges with peers.