Private Equity
International
International
Operating Partners Forum Europe
21 - 22 May 2025,
Convene, 133 Houndsditch, London
Harness value creation in a changing market
At a critical time in the economic cycle, join Europe’s leading community of PE operating partners to revitalise your value creation strategies across all business areas.
The 14th annual Forum will uncover new cross-functional levers, expand your professional network, and equip your operating team to drive value creation through 2025 and beyond.
“The first and largest event focused on the role of the OP and value creation. Great mix of attendees makes it the best networking event.”
James Markham
Senior Partner Value Creation, Graphite Capital
What can I expect at the Operating Partners Forum?
Discover new value creation strategies
The content focuses on working with and scaling portfolio companies at a crucial time. Examine the evolution of value creation, steps to develop a world class value creation team, how to optimize CEO relationships, and much more.
Build a valuable network
Connect with industry leaders within all functional areas of value creation in think tanks, interactive workshops, networking breaks, an evening drinks reception, roundtable discussions, and invite-only breakfasts.
Hear from Operating Partners
Collaborate directly with 100+ operating partner speakers on trending topics. Past speakers include representatives from The Carlyle Group, CDPQ, CVC Capital Partners, Hg, KKR Capstone, and Partners Group.
“You have to keep yourself current and our firms are not academies for becoming better operating partners…The PEI Operating Partners Forum is the only academy that exists for Operating Partners.”
Aaron Miller
Head of Apollo Portfolio Performance Solutions, Apollo Global Management
Agenda highlights
The agenda covers the most prominent functional topics in value creation:
- Portfolio company CEO perspectives – a deep dive into the “Do’s and Don’ts”
- How to collaborate with the deal team
- DPI vs IRR: Comparing impact on value creation
- How to efficiently use technology during economic uncertainty
- The role of tech and AI in building a strong talent pool
- Due diligence – does AI have a seat at the table?
- How to deliver revenue growth in changing markets
- And much more…
Join the leading European operating partner community:
Speakers
Our 2024 leading advisory board
For more information about the agenda, please contact Brix Sumagaysay at brix.s@pei.group.
View agenda page
Agenda
Pre-Event Networking - Tuesday 20th
Pre-conference events
17:30 - 21:00
Welcome reception and dinner (invitation only, RSVP required)
Madera at Treehouse London | 14-15 Langham Place W1B 2QS
Join the operating partners attending the Europe Forum at our opening grand reception and sit-down dinner. Exchange valuable insights with your peers in a relaxed setting and build your connections before the conference kicks off.
Agenda
Day 1 - Wednesday 21st
07:30 - 08:55
Registration and breakfast
THINK TANK SERIES 1
08:00 - 08:55
Think tanks for full-time operating partners: value creation war rooms (invitation-only)
These closed-door discussions will allow you to learn and share strategies together with your operating partner peers. Please select one of the rooms based on your functional expertise.
08:00 - 08:55
Room 1 Digital and Technology Operating Partners
Rahul Shah
Rahul Shah, Digital Professional, Triton
08:00 - 08:55
Room 2 Human Capital/Talent Operating Partners
These closed-door discussions will allow you to learn and share strategies together with your operating partner peers.
08:00 - 08:55
Room 3 GTM, Sales and Revenue Growth Operating Partners
Jawad Bhatti
Jawad Bhatti, GTM Operating Advisor / Head of AI and Cyber Centre of Excellence, AnaCap
08:00 - 08:55
Room 4 Finance Operating Partners
These closed-door discussions will allow you to learn and share strategies together with your operating partner peers. Please select one of the rooms based on your functional expertise.
Plenary
08:55 - 09:10
PEI’s welcome and chairman’s opening remarks
09:10 - 09:50
Unlocking value creation in uncertain times – an interview with two thought leaders
- What market uncertainties are most impacting the private equity industry?
- What are the implications on Value Creation Teams and are these short-term or long -term implications?
- How can Value Creation Teams up their game in response so they maximize value contribution to portco performance?
Moderator: James Corey, CEO, Blue Ridge Partners
Paul Vega, Lead Operating Partner, Cinven
Bjorn Ruwald, Partner, Bridgepoint
09:50 - 10:30
Operating Partner/Deal Partner alignment: synergies for success
Marcel Brinkman,
Mathieu Frison,
James Markham,
Grayden Reece-Smith
- How can operating partners help investment teams maximize returns?
- How can you ensure alignment and resolve internal frictions?
- Operating partner best practices in working together as a team.
Marcel Brinkman, Operating Partner BGIF GIP, BlackRock
Mathieu Frison, Partner, Charterhouse
James Markham, Senior Partner – Value Creation, Graphite Capital
Grayden Reece-Smith, Investment Principal, Aurelius Investment Advisory
10:30 - 11:00
Networking break
11:00 - 11:40
New strategies for value creation for the first 100 days and throughout the first year
Luke Anderson,
Alex Kesseler,
Marine Diot,
Maria Orlowski,
Henry Weaver
- Identifying successful strategies to enhance value within the initial 100 days.
- How have 100-day plans changed in recent years? What does the future playbook look like?
- Real life examples of challenges and roadblocks during the first 100-days and how they’ve been resolved.
Moderator: Luke Anderson, Partner, KPMG
Alex Kesseler, Partner – Performance Improvement, Antin Infrastructure Partners
Marine Diot, Associate Director, EQT Group
Maria Orlowski, Partner, Value Creation, GTO Partners
Henry Weaver, Operating Principal, Bregal – Growth Factors
11:40 - 12:20
Portfolio company CEO perspectives – a deep dive into the “Do’s and Don’ts”
Carmela Mendoza,
Jenny Newmarch,
Lorenzo Levi,
Erem Kassim Lakha,
Matt J. Baird
- Navigating market volatility with a focus on ensuring long-term value creation despite short-term challenges
- How to leverage advancements in technology and innovation, with private equity increasingly investing in digital transformation to drive operational efficiency and unlock new growth avenues
- How is the role of the operating partner evolving given these market factors?
Moderator: Carmela Mendoza, Senior Reporter, Private Equity International
Jenny Newmarch, Head of Private Equity, Aware Super
Lorenzo Levi, Managing Director and Operating Partner, Private Equity, Europe, CDPQ
Erem Kassim Lakha, Senior Managing Director of Value Creation, Equities, OTPP
Matt Baird, MD – Operations & Strategy, OMERS
Erem Kassim Lakha
Senior Managing Director of Value Creation, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Read bio
INTERACTIVE WORKING GROUP SERIES A
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 1 (for operating partners only) | An Operating Partner’s Playbook to Driving Value Through Procurement
Conrad Grajczak,
Henry Weaver,
Marc Bielitza
- How companies are achieving significant procurement success
- Comparing cost management strategies to act as a hedge against the impact of inflation and other obstacles
- Exploring the critical role of collaboration between commercial and procurement teams to protect margins during economic volatility
Moderator: Conrad Grajczak, Managing Director, Accenture
Henry Weaver, Operating Principal, Bregal – Growth Factors
Marc Bielitza, Partner, Deutsche Private Equity
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 2 (for operating partners only) | Value creation with agentic ai in the voice channel
Michael Chen
- What differentiates Agentic AI from traditional AI-powered voice bots? What are the most common examples?
- How can AI solutions drive value, reduce contact center costs, and improve customer experience?
- How can new insights from the voice channel enhance operational efficiency and drive greater optimization?
Moderator: Michael Chen, VP of Strategic Alliances & Corporate Development, Poly AI
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 3 (for operating partners only) | AI-Led Value Creation in Operations
Thomas Mathews,
Marc Boullier,
Marja Verbon
- Real examples of how AI can streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve productivity across all portco operations
- How operating partners have used agentic AI to optimise value creation
- Case study examples of leveraging tech and data to drive multiples
Moderator: Thomas Mathews, Head of Private Equity Practice, International Markets, Genpact
Marc Boullier, Managing Director, PAI Partners
Marja Verbon, Head of Innovation Acceleration – Portfolio Operations Group, Five Arrows (Rothschild)
13:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
Operating partner lunch at Engage Room (for operating partners only, RSVP required)
This deep dive lunch session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated functional experts facilitating.
Leader: Vertice
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 1
14:00 - 14:40
Track 1: Due diligence – does AI have a seat at the table?
Phil Carrivick,
Marine Diot,
Marco Ferrara
- How has the role of the OP evolved with the application of AI in due diligence?
- Harnessing data analytics and AI.
- Successful examples of using AI in the due diligence process.
Phil Carrivick, Operating Partner, Northfirst
Marine Diot, Associate Director, EQT Group
Marco Ferrara, Operating Partner, Limerston Capital
14:00 - 14:40
Track 2: Revenue Growth: The silver bullet in times of depressed consumer.
Mark Billige,
Paul-Louis Andrés,
Peter Colman,
Streisan Bevan
- How to deliver revenue growth in changing markets?
- Sharing a pricing and sales toolkit to help navigate volatility.
- How to work with your commercial teams to enhance revenue growth.
Moderator: Mark Billige, Senior Partner, Private Equity, Simon-Kucher
Paul-Louis Andrés, Principal – Value Creation Team, Seven2
Peter Colman, Senior Operating Partner – Commercial Excellence, H.I.G. Capital
Streisan Bevan, Operating Partner, Independent
14:00 - 14:40
Track 3: Deep dive into how operating partners align with CEOs – the “Do’s and Don’ts”
Jean-François Willame,
Naresh Kumar,
Sebastien Katch,
Felicity O'Kelly
- How to work effectively with CEOs to ensure and deliver growth
- The role of the CEO in succession planning and how this is anchored into the value creation strategy
- Best practises from operating partners and the value creation lifecycle
Jean-Francois Willame, Operating Partner, Patrizia Infrastructure
Naresh Kumar, Independent Operating Partner, Operating Bridge Partners
Sebastien Katch, Managing Director & Global Lead, Operational Excellence, Verlinvest
Felicity O’Kelly, Principal, Investments, Climate Investment
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 2
14:40 - 15:20
Track 4 How to collaborate with the deal team?
Christopher Harwood,
Christian Schmehl,
Marco Ferrara,
Matt J. Baird
- How to unlock value in the deal team effectively
- A playbook on how to collaborate with the deal team
- Successful and unsuccessful operating partner strategies
Christopher Harwood, Operating Partner, Apollo
Christian Schmehl, Managing Partner, Hypax
Marco Ferrara, Operating Partner, Limerston Capital
Matt Baird, MD – Operations & Strategy, OMERS
14:40 - 15:20
Track 5 How to quantify and showcase success in the human capital function?
Cordelia Dolan,
Daniel Kasmir ,
Kelly Carlson
- What is being done around pipelining talent and tracking the impact of human capital?
- With the fatigue surrounding DE&I, how are PE houses holding themselves to account?
- Exploring the use of data in the human capital function.
Moderator: Jamie Merrick, VP, Private Equity, Workday
Cordelia Dolan, Partner and Global Head of Portfolio Talent, InvestIndustrial
Daniel Kasmir, Co-Head of Leadership & Culture, Triton Partners
Lisa Telford, Partner, Montagu
Kelly Carlson, Managing Director, Head of Talent, STG
14:40 - 15:20
Track 6 Profitable revenue generation through sales, pricing and cost optimisation.
Julian Short,
Maria Orlowski,
William De Vliegher,
Jawad Bhatti,
Christian Atherton
- Simultaneous optimization of pricing, revenue, and costs to drive EBITDA increases.
- Addressing challenges in high-inflation environments and improving commercial practices.
- Addressing revenue and margin leakage in complex organizations.
- Aligning cross-functional business strategies for pricing and margin optimization.
Moderator: Julian Short, EMEA Lead – Growth Practice Group, Partner & Managing Director, AlixPartners
Maria Orlowski, Partner, Value Creation, GTO Partners
William de Vliegher, Principal – Operational Excellence, Verlinvest
Jawad Bhatti, GTM Operating Advisor / Head of AI and Cyber Centre of Excellence, AnaCap
Christian Atherton, Managing Director, PAI Performance Group
15:20 - 15:30
Networking break
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 3
15:30 - 16:10
Track 7 Incorporating commercial due diligence into your operational playbooks.
Alex Kesseler,
Peter Colman,
Richard Haynes,
Wessel Schevernels
- How to leverage market analysis and competitor intelligence to inform operational strategies?
- Strategies to align operational and financial goals.
- How to ensure commercial due diligence findings shape both short-term and long-term operational plans?
Alex Kesseler, Partner – Performance Improvement, Antin Infrastructure Partners
Peter Colman, Senior Operating Partner – Commercial Excellence, H.I.G. Capital
Richard Haynes, Partner, Head of Value Creation Partners, LDC
Wessel Schevernels, Operating Partner, Patrizia Infrastructure
15:30 - 16:10
Track 8 A deep dive into the private equity sponsor/CFO dynamic
Atul Aggarwal,
Ralph Friedwagner,
Leo Scanavino,
Simon Hardy
- The role of a strategic CFO from a private equity lens
- What makes a great portfolio company CFO, and how can PE sponsors support their success
- Empowering CFOs to be value creation drivers – identifying the key challenges the sponsors and CFOs must overcome to maximise value
Moderator: Atul Aggarwal, President, Growth Markets, Accordion
Ralph Friedwagner, Operating Partner, CDPQ
Leo Scanavino, Director, British International Investment
Simon Hardy, Head of Portfolio Operations, Attestor Capital
15:30 - 16:10
Track 9 Talent transformation in the age of technology and ai
Phil Carrivick,
Alpesh Doshi,
Felicity O'Kelly
- How introducing technology can enhance efficiency, productivity and create value?
- How can AI help to recruit and retrain talent?
- Case studies demonstrating the positive impact of AI on the recruitment process.
Phil Carrivick, Operating Partner, Northfirst
Alpesh Doshi, Managing Partner, Redcliffe Capital
Felicity O’Kelly, Principal, Investments, Climate Investment
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 4
16:10 - 16:50
Track 10 Driving digital transformation for SaaS companies.
Marja Verbon,
Toni Bonet
- How is AI being integrated into SaaS businesses, and what role does automation play in enhancing operational efficiency?
- Preparing for the next wave of digital disruption in emerging technologies (e.g., generative AI, blockchain)
- What KPIs are most important to track during the transformation journey?
Marja Verbon, Head of Innovation Acceleration – Portfolio Operations Group, Five Arrows (Rothschild)
Toni Bonet, Partner, Parlementia Capital
16:10 - 16:50
Track 11 Go-to-Market strategy and execution: What defines excellence?
Jawad Bhatti,
Marc Schiekofer,
Ada Pham
- Exploring the advantages and drawbacks of traditional go-to-market strategies and how to refine the approach for enhanced sales performance.
- Leveraging data-driven insights and analytics to shape targeted go-to-market strategies that boost revenue growth and create value.
- Diversifying your route to market and identifying the most effective channels to pursue.
Jawad Bhatti, GTM Operating Advisor / Head of AI and Cyber Centre of Excellence, AnaCap
Marc Schiekofer, Operating Partner, Triton
Ada Pham, Assistant Director, Inflexion
16:10 - 16:55
Track 12 Strategies to turn around underperforming portfolio companies
James Markham,
Christian Schmehl,
Sebastien Katch
- Operating partner strategies to work with underperforming companies to get them back to a higher performance
- Identifying key and common challenges to move towards growth
- Case studies of successful transformations and the goals they used
James Markham, Senior Partner – Value Creation, Graphite Capital
Christian Schmehl, Managing Partner, Hypax
Sebastien Katch, Managing Director & Global Lead, Operational Excellence, Verlinvest
INTERACTIVE WORKING GROUP SERIES B
16:55 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 4 (for operating partners only) | The Digital Evolution: Technology-Driven Value Creation in Enterprises.
Vijay Koppula,
Florent Melis,
Guy Willner,
Dr. Benjamin Kleidt
- Maximizing ROI through AI and other transformative technologies
- Digital tools to optimize internal efficiencies and strengthen market positioning
- Driving operational excellence to gain a competitive edge in an evolving business landscape
Moderator: Vijay Koppula, SVP, Consulting, ValueLabs
Florent Melis, Principal Portfolio Performance, Eurazeo
Ben Rogers, Vice President, Permira
Guy Willner, CEO & Co-Founder, IXAFrica Data Centre
Benjamin Kleidt, Partner, Deutsche Private Equity
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 5 (for operating partners only) | Recruiting the right CFO: Key considerations and best practices
Simon Hardy,
Paul Reading
- What are the essential qualities that a portfolio company CFO must possess to succeed?
- Recruiting and retaining high quality CFOs for portfolio companies.
- What are the key levers of having a joint finance and HR function? What is the impact on human capital?
Simon Hardy, Head of Portfolio Operations, Attestor Capital
Paul Reading, Partner, Chief Strategy Officer, Mayfair Equity Partners
Oliver Wale, Portfolio Talent Principal, Montagu
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 6 (for operating partners only) | Overcoming growth challenges for exit: Achieving a realistic valuation.
Lorenzo Levi,
Wessel Schevernels,
Streisan Bevan,
Nick Eichorn
- What does exit readiness mean? What is the importance of formalising an exit readiness process?
- How to take a B grade asset and prepare it for exit?
- How should you use data analytics and reporting during exit preparation to maximize return?
Lorenzo Levi, Managing Director and Operating Partner, Private Equity, Europe, CDPQ
Wessel Schevernels, Operating Partner, Patrizia Infrastructure
Streisan Bevan, Operating Partner, Independent
Nick Eichorn, Partner, Value Creation, Graphite Capital
17:40 - 18:40
Conference sessions conclude and Grand Reception begins
18:40 - 18:40
End of day one
Agenda
Day 2 - Thursday 22nd
07:40 - 09:25
Registration and breakfast
THINK TANK SERIES 2
07:45 - 08:45
Think tanks for full-time operating partners: value creation war room (invitation-only)
This closed-door discussion will allow you to learn and share best practices of successful operating partners. The think tank will allow you to select one of the rooms.
07:45 - 08:45
Room 1 Emerging Operating Partners (1-2 years in PE)
This closed-door discussion will allow you to learn and share best practices of successful operating partners.
07:45 - 08:45
Room 2 Advanced Operating Partners
Keith Beattie, Partner, Head of Operations, Astorg
07:45 - 08:45
Room 3 Heads of PE Portfolio Operations Teams: Leaders Think Tank
Alessandro Moretti
Alessandro Moretti, Head of Operational Value Creation (OPG) – Direct Investments, Sovereign Wealth Fund
Breakfast Deep Dive Discussion 1 (for operating partners only)
08:45 - 09:25
Discussion 1 Proactive turnaround in underperforming assets
Stelios Fragkos, Partner & Managing Director, AlixPartners
Sean O’Flynn, EMEA Leader of M&A, AlixPartners
08:45 - 09:25
Discussion 2 Taking a Closer Look at the Commercial Engine During Diligence
- How do you build conviction in bidding by assessing the durability, scalability, and efficiency of the revenue engine?
- How do you pinpoint high-ROI value levers and validate year-one revenue targets pre-close?
- Moving beyond market diligence to assess customer economics, GTM, and sales execution
James Corey, Managing Partner, Blue Ridge Partners
08:45 - 09:25
Discussion 3 Results of the 2024 McKinsey Operating Partner Group Survey
- Provide statistics on the size and composition of operating partner teams
- Review the roles Op Partner teams play in value creation
- What will operating partner teams look like in the future
Plenary
09:25 - 09:30
Chairman’s welcome
09:30 - 10:10
Shaping the future of value creation through the AI lens: real world implementations.
Simon Murray,
Tori Pereira,
Florent Melis,
Gilad G. Amir,
Jamaria Kong
- An OP playbook on AI – what is there to know and understand?
- Identifying innovative ways of how operating partners and portfolio companies have implemented AI across the board.
- How to correctly allocate and resource for AI?
Moderator: Simon Murray, Practice Director Digital Strategy, Adobe
Victoria Pereira, Executive Director, Private Equity Data Science Lead, Goldman Sachs
Florent Melis, Principal Portfolio Performance, Eurazeo
Gilad Amir, Digital Operating Partner, Pollen Street Capital
Jamaria Kong, Managing Director, Towerbrook Capital Partners
10:10 - 10:50
The exit plan in the current climate – Operating Partner perspectives.
Ralph Friedwagner,
Ilinca Rosetti,
Naresh Kumar,
Paul Reading,
Dr Natalia Blagburn
- A check list of non-negotiables before considering an exit.
- How are exit plans and strategies being affected by current market conditions?
- What are the main challenges faced when preparing for exit?
Ralph Friedwagner, Operating Partner, CDPQ
Ilinca Rosetti, Operating Partner, JC Flowers & Co
Naresh Kumar, Independent Operating Partner, Operating Bridge Partners
Paul Reading, Partner, Chief Strategy Officer, Mayfair Equity Partners
Natalia Blagburn, Portfolio Director, Mercia Ventures
10:50 - 11:10
Networking break
Plenery
11:10 - 11:50
Showcasing functional specialist initiatives that move the needle.
Riccardo Basile,
Alessandro Moretti,
Michal Karnibad,
Karl Sahyoun
- Highlighting first year transformations through the lens of different functional specialists.
- The increasing role of tech and AI across all functional initiatives.
- Operating partner success stories across the value creation ecosystem.
Riccardo Basile, Operating Partner, Permira
Alessandro Moretti, Head of Operational Value Creation (OPG) – Direct Investments, Sovereign Wealth Fund
Michal Karnibad, Managing Director of Digital Transformation, Mattioli Woods
Karl Sahyoun, Principal, Milestone Performance Partners, Bregal Milestone
Keith Beattie, Partner, Head of Operations, Astorg
INTERACTIVE WORKING GROUP SERIES C (for operating partners only)
11:50 - 12:30
Interactive Working Group 7 | A deep dive into key KPIs that matter at every growth stage.
Jackie Hertz ,
James Cope
- Identifying and tracking the most critical KPIs to drive portfolio company performance at each growth stage
- The role of scalable systems in ensuring accurate KPI tracking and sustainable growth as companies evolve from startup to scale-up
- Aligning financial and operational metrics with investor expectations and value creation strategies
Moderator: Jackie Hertz, VP, Strategic Alliances, Zone & Co
James Cope, Portfolio Senior Executive, Hg Capital
11:50 - 12:30
Interactive Working Group 8 (for operating partners only) | How sustainability can be used to drive value creation within portfolio companies?
Alison Prout,
Victoria Brown
- Where to find genuine value enhancement in sustainability?
- How to commercialize ESG appropriately?
- How to drive DE&I in portfolio companies as part of value creation?
Alison Prout, ESG Specialist Transformation Consultant, Agilitas Private Equity
Victoria Brown, Partner, General Counsel, AnaCap
Katherine Sherwin, Managing Director, GIP, Blackrock
11:50 - 12:30
Interactive Working Group 9 (for operating partners only) | Operating partner perspectives on what effective tech and digital value creation playbooks look like.
Bala Narayanaswamy,
Gilad G. Amir,
Agata Cooper
- Comparing tech spend vs tech value creation
- An operating partner step-by-step guide to technology and digital value creation
- Identifying the most common challenges and roadblocks
Moderator: Bala Narayanaswamy, Global Head – Private Equity Relations, Infosys
Gilad Amir, Digital Operating Partner, Pollen Street Capital
Agata Cooper, Digital Operating Partner, Triton Partners
Ben Rogers, Vice President, Permira
12:30 - 13:50
Networking Lunch
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in PE and VC portfolio.
12:30 - 13:30
Women in PE portfolio operations lunch (invitation-only for operating partners)
Kelly Carlson
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in PE and VC portfolio.
Kelly Carlson, Managing Director, Head of Talent, STG
Plenary
13:30 - 14:10
Debate: Functional specialists vs generalists. What is seen as more valuable?
Fiona Satchell
This session will explore the ongoing debate between functional specialists and generalists, examining the value each brings. Attendees will gain insights into which approach is currently seen as more valuable in today’s evolving business landscape.
Fiona Satchell, Senior Managing Director, Three Hills
Ronald Van Loo, Managing Director, TowerBrook Capital Partners
Martin Mc Court, Operating Partner, Corsair Buyouts
14:10 - 14:50
Heads of value creation perspectives: comparing models and team structures.
Alessandro Moretti,
Ramon de la Sota,
Riccardo Basile
- A deep dive into team sizes, models and structures
- Top 3 things done to support the operating team to generate and deliver value
- How should an operating partner align the right value creation model with an optimal team structure to enhance competitive advantage?
Alessandro Moretti, Head of Operational Value Creation (OPG) – Direct Investments, Sovereign Wealth Fund
Ramon de la Sota, Founder and Operating Partner, Parlementia Capital Partners
Riccardo Basile, Operating Partner, Permira
14:50 - 15:00
Chair’s closing remarks
15:00 - 15:10
End of conference
Cultivate your operating partner community
Cultivate a professional community that extends beyond the Forum in operating partner exclusive networking events.
Connect with the brightest leaders in cross-functional value creation to exchange ideas, solve challenges, and benchmark strategies to improve your day-to-day operations.
Operating Partners Forum Europe Welcome Reception and Dinner (invitation-only)
Tuesday, 20 May, 2025
5:30 – 9:00 pm
Venue: Madera at Treehouse London
Perched high above the city, the vibrant Madera at Treehouse London offers breathtaking skyline views, warm hospitality, and a relaxed atmosphere—the perfect setting to start making meaningful connections before the main event begins. Join fellow Operating Partners and select industry leaders for an evening of curated cocktails, inspired small plates, and engaging conversation. Whether reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new peers, this reception sets the tone for productive and collaborative days ahead.
Operating Partners Forum Europe Day 1 Networking Reception
Wednesday, 21 May, 2025
17:40-18:30
After a full day of insight-packed sessions and high-level discussions, join us for an exclusive evening networking reception. This is your opportunity to relax, recharge, and reconnect with peers, speakers, and industry leaders in a more informal setting. Enjoy curated cocktails, light bites, and engaging conversation as you continue the dialogue and forge valuable new relationships. Whether you’re deepening connections made earlier in the day or meeting fresh faces, this reception is the perfect capstone to an energizing day at the conference.
Deep Dive Breakfasts (operating partners only)
Thursday, 22 May, 2025
8:45 – 9:25
These discussions will focus on specific strategies in value creation and allow you to share your views and learn key insights from peers.
Women in PE Portfolio Operations Lunch Discussion (invitation-only)
Thursday, 22 May, 2025
12:30 – 13:30
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore key challenges and opportunities for women in PE portfolio operations.
Sessions designed for collaboration
Think Tanks
Put your heads together with other operating partners to examine niche areas of value creation. With crowd-sourced discussion topics, these peer-led sessions will provide personalized takeaways.
Interactive Working Groups
Hear how your peers are navigating specific value creation levers. These interactive discussions, facilitated by our expert speaking faculty, will provide a closer look at specific cross-functional topics.
Pre-Event Resources
2025 speakers
Connect with the largest European community of expert operating partners
PEI’s Operating Partners Forums are a unique blend of networking, collaboration and thought leadership between private equity operating partners, portfolio operations teams and sponsors. Each venue is custom designed to encourage conversation about value creation best practices, relationship building and knowledge sharing across functional areas on the most pressing issues facing their investment and portfolio companies. Access to the Forum is limited to operating partners/value creation experts from private equity firms and sponsoring firms.
For more information on ways to engage with PEI’s Operating Partners community, please contact Lawrence Dvorchik at lawrence.d@pei.group or call on +1 (646) 545-4429
