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.
Early bird pricing ends July 19
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
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
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.
Past attendees included:
2024 agenda
Download the 2024 agenda to get a glimpse of what the Forum will look like. If you are interested in a speaking role, please contact Hannah Ogunlowo at Hannah.o@pei.group.
View agenda page
Agenda
Day One - Wednesday 13th
Welcome
08:00 - 09:00
Registration & coffee
08:00 - 09:00
Invite-only women’s CFO & COO networking breakfast
09:00 - 09:05
Chairperson’s Welcome Address
Plenary
09:05 - 09:45
Opening Panel: CFO/COOs outlook- Preparing operations for the future
Brendan Dolan,
Thomas Lack
- 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 (Data operating models etc.)
Brendan Dolan, CFO-Europe Operations, H.I.G. Capital
Thomas Lack, CFO/COO, All Seas Capital
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 - 11:25
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?
11:25 - 23:50
In-Focus Fireside chat: The rise of co-investments
Gaurav Saxena,
Richard Kirkby
- What’s shaping the growing use and future of co-investments?
- How is the highly competitive environment impacting new and emerging managers getting
their operations off the ground?
Gaurav Saxena, CFO, Fremman Capital
Richard Kirkby, CFO, Veld Capital
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?
Christian Scott, Managing Director of Cybersecurity, Abacus Group
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 Luncheon
12:55 - 13:55
Networking Luncheon
Breakout sessions I
13:55 - 14:30
Track A Panel: 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?
Haris Vrahliotis, Compliance Director, TowerBrook Capital Partners
13:55 - 14:30
Track B Panel: Fund formation and structuring trends
Christophe Tasiaux,
Adrian Lüönd
- 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
Christophe Tasiaux, Funds CFO, Kartesia
Adrian Lüönd, Head of Finance and Corporate Operations, SUSI Partners
Breakout sessions II
14:30 - 15:05
Track A Panel: 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
Emad Shahin, Partner, 17 Capital
14:30 - 15:05
Track B Panel: 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
Breakout sessions III
15:05 - 15:40
Track A Panel: Adapting to new technology and AI
Vera Huang
- 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?
Moderator: Vera Huang, Head of Data Solutions, IQ-EQ
15:05 - 15:40
Track B Panel: Good practices in Liquidity and Funding Risk Management
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
16:10 - 17:00
Valuations in alternative assets
Roland Graaf
- 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
15:40 - 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 Two - Thursday 14th
Welcome
08:00 - 08:45
Registration & Coffee
08:45 - 09:30
CFOs & COOs think tanks (GPs only)
Paul Bramley,
Melinda Knatchbull
Our series of GP think tanks provide a space for CFOs/COOs to share and learn from their personal experiences on a Chatham House basis. An open arena to discuss a range of issues with peers from your asset class such as financial terms, service providers plus more.
Room 1: Private equity
Room 2: Private debt
Facilitated by:
Paul Bramley, CFO & Operating Partner, Claret Capital Partners
Room 3: Infrastructure
Room 4: Real estate
Facilitated by:
Melinda Knatchbull, CFO, Stellar
09:30 - 09:40
Chairperson's day 2 welcome remarks
Plenary
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 Presentaion
Evie Taylor
Evie Taylor, Senior Research Manager, PEI
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?
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
- How to attract talent and keep talent?
- 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?
Panelists:
Marion Buten, COO Europe – BXCI PCS Europe, Blackstone
Tina Page, COO, Atempo Growth
George Velikov, Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Cordet Capital Partners
12:40 - 13:10
Lessons learned: Building and scaling a good organisation (LP vs. GP view)
Paul Bramley
- How to find the right strategy and the right niche?
- Key scalability and organisational requirements
- How are GPs adhering to global corporate governance
- How to ensure diversity of thought, background, culture to drive a high performing team?
- Post merger motivation?
- Incentive schemes
Panelists:
Paul Bramley, CFO & Operating Partner, Claret Capital Partners
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
From risk management to AI and automation, members can catch up on timely topics every month with peers.
Member Circles
Connect with like-minded peers in your field, such as Women, Emerging Managers, Venture Capital and more.
Executive Coaching
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.
Sofitel London St James
6 Waterloo Pl,
St. James’s, London SW1Y 4AN, U.K.
All conference sessions will take place at the Sofitel London St James.