Private Equity
International
International
Operating Partners Forum Europe
Tommy O'Sullivan
Managing Partner, Beach Equity
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.
Early bird savings through 28 March. Save up to £400 with a team pass.
“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.
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
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
These closed-door discussions will allow you to learn and share strategies together with your operating partner peers.
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
These closed-door discussions will allow you to learn and share strategies together with your operating partner peers.
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
The year to be “cautiously optimistic” – predictions for PE value creation in 2025
Jenny Newmarch,
Lorenzo Levi
- 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?
Jenny Newmarch, Head of Private Equity, Aware Super
Lorenzo Levi, Managing Director and Operating Partner, Private Equity, Europe, CDPQ
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
- 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
11:40 - 12:20
Portfolio company CEO perspectives – a deep dive into the “Do’s and Don’ts”
Jean-François Willame,
Naresh Kumar,
Sebastien Katch
- How to work effectively with the CEO and C-suite 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 CEO’s 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
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
- 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
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 2 (for operating partners only) | How to collaborate with the deal team: operating partner workshop
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
12:20 - 13:00
Interactive Working Group 3 (for operating partners only) | AI-Led Value Creation in Operations
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
Marja Verbon, Head of Innovation Acceleration – Portfolio Operations Group, Five Arrows (Rothschild)
Marja Verbon
Head of Innovation Acceleration Portfolio Operations Group, Five Arrows (Rothschild)
Read bio
13:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
Functional lunch discussion (for operating partners only)
This deep dive lunch session designed solely for operating partners will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated functional experts facilitating.
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 behaviour.
Mark Billige,
Paul-Louis Andrés,
Peter Colman
- 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
14:00 - 14:40
Track 3 How to ensure an impactful and efficient supply chain?
- How businesses are dealing with changing regulations globally
- How to integrate ESG strategies into the supply chain and procurement process
- Successful examples of managing costs and ensuring reliable supply chains
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 2
14:40 - 15:20
Track 4 How to increase level of resilience when incorporating cyber across a portfolio?
- How to navigate a landscape where cyberattacks are escalating in both intensity and scale?
- Playbook on how to effectively respond to an attack.
- How to identify the best security tool and where to find it?
Victoria Pereira, Executive Director, Private Equity Data Science Lead, Goldman Sachs
14:40 - 15:20
Track 5 How to quantify and showcase success in the human capital function?
Marc Bielitza,
Cordelia Dolan,
Daniel Kasmir
- 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.
Marc Bielitza, Partner, Deutsche Private Equity
Cordelia Dolan, Principal and Global Head of Portfolio Talent, InvestIndustrial
Daniel Kasmir, Co-Head of Leadership & Culture, Triton Partners
14:40 - 15:20
Track 6 Profitable revenue generation through sales, pricing and cost optimisation.
Julian Short,
Maria Orlowski,
William De Vliegher
- 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
Ada Pham, Assistant Director, Inflexion
Maria Orlowski, Partner, Value Creation, GTO Partners
William de Vliegher, Principal – Operational Excellence, Verlinvest
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 Operating Partner/CFO dynamic
Atul Aggarwal,
Ralph Friedwagner,
Leo Scanavino
- The role of the CFO in protecting value during an economic downturn
- What makes a great portfolio company CFO, and how can PE Operating Partners support their success
- Empowering CFOs to be value creation drivers – identifying the key challenges the Operating Partner and CFO must overcome to maximise value
Moderator: Atul Aggarwal, President, Growth Markets, Accordion
Ralph Friedwagner, Operating Partner, CDPQ
Leo Scanavino, Director, British International Investment
15:30 - 16:10
Track 9 The role of tech and AI as a future level for the talent function.
Phil Carrivick,
Alpesh Doshi
- 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
FUNCTIONAL BREAKOUT SERIES 4
16:10 - 16:50
Track 10 Digital transformation case studies for SaaS companies.
Marja Verbon
- Examining how SaaS companies have leveraged automation to streamline operations.
- What were the long-term benefits of increased collaboration.
- Lessons from SaaS businesses that have successfully migrated, focusing on the challenges faced and solutions implemented.
Marja Verbon, Head of Innovation Acceleration – Portfolio Operations Group, Five Arrows (Rothschild)
Marja Verbon
Head of Innovation Acceleration Portfolio Operations Group, Five Arrows (Rothschild)
Read bio
16:10 - 16:50
Track 11 Go-to-Market strategy and execution: What defines excellence?
Jawad Bhatti,
Marc Bielitza,
Marc Schiekofer
- 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 advisor / CCO at Thought System, AnaCap
Marc Bielitza, Partner, Deutsche Private Equity
Marc Schiekofer, Operating Partner, Triton
16:10 - 16:50
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
16:50 - 17:00
Networking break
INTERACTIVE WORKING GROUP SERIES B
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 4 (for operating partners only) | The Digital Evolution: Technology-Driven Value Creation in Enterprises.
Vijay Koppula,
Florent Melis
- 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, Value Labs
Florent Melis, Principal Portfolio Performance, Eurazeo
17:00 - 17:40
Interactive Working Group 5 (for operating partners only) | Recruiting the right CFO: Key considerations and best practices workshop.
- 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?
This session will allow the audience to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators.
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
- 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
17:40 - 18:40
Conference sessions conclude and Grand Reception begins
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
This closed-door discussion will allow you to learn and share best practices of successful operating partners.
07:45 - 08:45
Room 3 Heads of PE Portfolio Operations Teams: Leaders Think Tank
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.
Breakfast Deep Dive Discussion 1 (for operating partners only)
08:45 - 09:25
Discussion 1 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
08:45 - 09:25
Discussion 2 Working with CEOs to drive the value creation plan: operating partner insights
Jean-François Willame
Jean-Francois Willame, Operating Partner, Patrizia Infrastructure
08:45 - 09:25
Discussion 3 What makes a great CRO/commercial leader at your companies?
This breakfast deep dive session will allow all operating partners to join an interactive discussion with designated facilitators;
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.
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?
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
- 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
10:50 - 11:10
Networking break
Plenery
11:10 - 11:50
Showcasing functional specialist initiatives that move the needle.
Riccardo Basile,
Alessandro Moretti
- Highlighting first year transformations through the lens of different functional specialists.
- The increasing role of 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
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.
Keith Goldschmidt,
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: Keith Goldschmidt, 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
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.
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
Gilad Amir, Digital Operating Partner, Pollen Street Capital
Agata Cooper, Digital Operating Partner, Triton Partners
12:30 - 13:50
Networking Lunch
12:30 - 13:30
Women in PE portfolio operations lunch (invitation-only for operating partners)
This closed-door lunch discussion will explore what it’s like being a woman in PE and VC portfolio.
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
14:10 - 14:50
Heads of value creation perspectives: comparing models and team structures.
Alessandro Moretti,
Ramon de la Sota
- A deep dive into team sizes and structures.
- What are the top 3 things that are done to support the operating team?
- What does great look like in an OP?
Alessandro Moretti, Head of Operational Value Creation (OPG) – Direct Investments, Sovereign Wealth Fund
Ramon de la Sota, Partner, Parlementia Capital Partners
14:50 - 15:10
PEI presents the 1st annual operating partners compensation survey results
15:10 - 15:30
Chair’s closing remarks
15:20 - 15:25
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
Begin building connections over craft cocktails and gourmet fare before the conference kicks off. A relaxed welcome reception ensures you’ll find familiar faces over the following two days. Then, meet other operating partners in a private networking dinner to discuss the industry, share ideas, and develop Forum goals.
Operating Partners Forum Europe Day 1 Networking Reception
Wednesday, 21 May, 2025
17:40-18:30
Hear what’s on everyone’s mind after a full day of valuable insights. This reception provides a casual environment to debrief the day’s content and enjoy a drink on us.
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
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
Thanks for your interest
Thank you for your interest in the Operating Partners Forum Europe
Your requested resource will be sent to the email address you provided.
Explore our event website to learn more about the Forum, and be sure to secure your place when you’re ready.
We hope to see you in London in May.
Tommy O'Sullivan
Managing Partner, Beach Equity
Tommy leads the investment team and oversees the investor relations side of the business. His focus is buyout and growth investments opportunities in the SME market which will benefit from a more involved level of support. Tommy has led over 25 investments, including Outright Games, NCE Group, TicTrac, Le Col and Influencer.
Prior to founding Beach Equity, Tommy held senior investment roles at Puma Private Equity (Managing Director), Rockpool Investments (Investment Director) and Bear Stearns (JP Morgan) Vice President. Tommy is a qualified accountant and holds a Batchelor of Science in Physics and Astrophysics from the University of Bristol.