How has the private equity industry evolved this year amid a sustained rising interest rate and inflationary environment, fierce competition for LP capital and the increasing democratisation of the asset class? Dechert partner Chris Field sits down with Private Equity International senior editor Adam Le to discuss the results of the law firm's 2024 Global Private Equity Outlook, which examines this very question.

In this fifth and final episode of season two of the Disruption Matters special miniseries, we explore the complex relationships in private equity, emphasising the crucial role of clear communication among all stakeholders from general partners to employees. We discuss the alignment of long-term goals in acquisitions and address limited partners' concerns about debt and liquidity in unstable markets. The overarching message is that success hinges not just on financial metrics or strategies, but on effective communication.

Guests include: Kyle Nelson, a partner and managing director at AlixPartners; David Tayeh, head of private equity in North America for Investcorp; Joncarlo Mark, founder of Upwelling Capital Group and a former senior portfolio manager at CalPERS; Jonathan Pressnell, a partner at BluePoint Capital Partners; and Richard de Silva, founder and managing partner of Lateral Investment Management.

This episode is sponsored by AlixPartners

Secondaries funds investing in private equity opportunities that held their final close between January and the end of September raised $67.69 billion – a 168 percent jump on the same period last year and 46 percent more than the previous record of $46.44 billion raised in Q1-Q3 2020.

In this instalment of Second Thoughts, senior reporter Madeleine Farman and senior editor Adam Le dig further into the numbers to discuss whether 2023 could be a record year for secondaries fundraising; whether the secondaries market will continue to grapple with an under-allocation issue; and whether coffers are beginning to fill versus the opportunities that are out there in the market.

In this fourth episode of season two of the Disruption Matters special miniseries, we delve into the complex interplay between digital transformation and human interaction in sales and marketing. While technology can add efficiencies, the importance of the human element in customer engagement remains an issue. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities of tactical pricing, particularly in a volatile economic environment.

Guests include Jason McDannold, partner and managing director at AlixPartners; Richard Liu, a partner in the enterprise technology and services arm of FTV Capital; Ben Russell, senior vice-president of private equity at Partners Group; Brit Yonge, an operating partner at Corsair Capital; and Jeremy Schein, a partner and member of the buyouts investment committee at Corsair.

This episode is sponsored by AlixPartners

Deals are getting larger, and those providing the loans are becoming more trusted and sophisticated. Craig Packer of Blue Owl Capital thinks these are reliable indicators that direct lending is set to expand and prosper.

This episode is sponsored by Blue Owl Capital

In this third episode of season two of the Disruption Matters special miniseries, the focus turns to communication and leadership resilience. Guests share insights on how the pandemic led to more frequent and effective communication within portfolio companies. The conversation covers the importance of clearly defined roles, strong operating partner networks and annual meetings for leadership development, as well as the role of ESG in shaping corporate culture and attracting talent.

Guests include Ted Bililies, a partner and managing director at AlixPartners; Warren Valdmanis, a partner at Two Sigma Impact; Alan Goldfarb, founder and managing partner of Orangewood Partners; and Steven Maxwell, senior vice-president of portfolio human capital at Audax Private Equity.

In this second episode of season two of the Disruption Matters special miniseries, we focus on the importance of the first 100 days after acquisition through to the execution of a value creation plan. Experts emphasise the need to evaluate a company's existing talent, noting that early missteps can reveal if the leadership is capable of achieving set goals. The discussion touches on common mistakes, such as poor governance structures and misaligned objectives, which can derail value creation efforts.

Guests include Burak Kiral, a partner and managing director with AlixPartners; Adam Jenkins, global head of portfolio management for Blackstone Private Equity; Amanda Good, head of value creation at Searchlight Capital; and Ellen Nyhus, CEO of Verdane’s operational expert team Elevate.

This episode is sponsored by AlixPartners

In Europe and around the world, rising interest rates and falling valuations are impacting many commercial property sectors still reeling from the aftereffects of the pandemic, as well as secular changes in the way occupiers use real estate. Shrewd investment managers can help identify which assets, on a case-by-case basis, can result in the greatest returns and which property sectors are likely to pose the lowest risk going forward.

In this episode, Marc Fuhrmann, principal and head of real estate of Arrow Global, returns to speak with Jonathan Brasse, editor-in-chief, real estate at PEI Group, about trends in the ever-changing private equity real estate markets.

The Disruption Matters special podcast miniseries is back for season two, where leading industry experts will dissect the seismic shifts rattling the core of due diligence in private equity. The first episode's discussion zeroes in on the fusion of technology and leadership in shaping risk assessment and deal-making. It asks: how can the right balance between tech and human acumen make or break an investment?

Guests includes Joanne Taylor, a partner and managing director with AlixPartners; John Stecher, the CTO of Blackstone; Crosby Cook, a partner with EQT; and Marc Fuhrmann, a principal for real estate at Arrow Global.

This episode is sponsored by AlixPartners

Glennmont Partners’ CEO Joost Bergsma and Actis's head of sustainability Shami Nissan discuss how their firms approach sustainability – in theory and in practice – as well as what their LPs demand of them. They share their views on ESG, resilience and the emergence of dedicated climate allocations launched by a growing number of LPs.