Private Equity Power Talks: Map of the Maze

Andrew Dyckhoff, Founder & CEO, Strengths Unleashed

For this episode of The PepTalks Podcast, we are joined by Andrew Dyckhoff, Founder and CEO of Strengths Unleashed, who are experts in assessment, development and advisory, helping energise individual leaders, their teams and organisations to release untapped potential, transform performance and deliver outstanding results.

Our main area of discussion is around personal and organisational energy and why it is so important when delivering the growth required under private equity ownership.

Neil Rodford, Former CEO, YMU

For this episode of The PepTalks Podcast, we are joined by Neil Rodford, Executive Director of Voly Music and Former CEO of YMU, a market-leading talent agency.

Neil led YMU through 3 successful buyouts, delivering a 500% increase in enterprise value and a turnover in excess of £140m. During this time Neil executed over 40 acquisitions which are our key topic of conversation for this podcast. We also discuss team development and how your relationship with PE changes through an investment cycle.

Lois Heywood, CEO, Retail & Asset Solutions

For this episode of The PepTalks Podcast, we are joined by Lois Heywood, CEO of Retail & Asset Solutions who are at the forefront of the audit and stocktaking industry.

In 2018 Lois became CEO of Retail & Asset Solutions upon leading a Carve Out from ODS group with the support of LDC. Lois draws on this experience and describes how to transition from corporate to PE-backed leadership.

We also discuss how Lois and her team became the business's majority shareholders, having completed a debt-funded management buyout in 2022.

Elona Mortimer-Zhika, CEO, Iris Software Group

For this episode of the PepTalks Podcast, we are joined by Elona Mortimer-Zhika, CEO of Iris Software Group, who help organisations to make better business decisions by developing integrated software solutions. 

In 2016 Elona joined Iris as CFO, transitioned to COO in 2018, and finally to CEO in 2019. During her tenure, Iris has seen incredible amounts of growth. Their most recent exit in 2018 was worth £1.3 billion and since then the value of the business has grown to over £3 billion.

In this podcast, we discuss Elona’s approach to M&A, expansion into the US, how to successfully transition from an Exec into the CEO role, and her approach to hiring. 

Clare Roberts OBE, CEO, Kids Planet Day Nurseries

For this episode of the PepTalks Podcast, we are joined by Clare Roberts OBE, Founder and CEO of Kids Planet Day Nurseries, an award-winning group of 137 nurseries across the UK. Clare founded the business in 2008 and has since completed two private equity transactions.

Clare shares how she successfully transitioned from an entrepreneur to a PE-backed business leader, and how this path to success affects your mindset towards growth, investors, M&A and the culture of your business.

Simon Hemsley, Partner, Armstrong

How can Commercial Due Diligence be used to make your business more attractive to prospective buyers in an extremely competitive deals market in 2023? To discuss this, we are joined by Simon Hemsley, Partner of Armstrong, who offer CDD and value creation consulting to private equity backed businesses in the UK mid-market.

Special Episode: The Fallout of Truss’ Resignation.

In this special edition of the Private Equity Power Talks Podcast we are joined by David Laws, former Education Minister & Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Robin Grainger, Exec Chair and Founder of GK Strategy. We will be discussing the impact of Truss’ resignation. Who will be the next Tory Leader? What will their effect be on inflation and a potential recession? And ultimately what effect will it have on private equity?

Chris Merry, CEO, Stonehage Fleming

In this episode of the PepTalks Podcast we are joined by Chris Merry, CEO of Stonehage Fleming, an independent advisor to some of the world’s leading family and wealth creators. Prior to this Chris has held CEO positions at 4 other businesses, both in the public and private sector. Chris looks back at his career and shares the lessons he learnt along the way to becoming a high growth PE CEO and shares his current experiences in building a comprehensive and efficient M&A strategy.

Richard Madden, CEO, DC Advisory UK

In this episode of the PepTalks Podcast we are joined by Richard Madden, CEO of leading international investment bank and PepTalks Advisory Partner, DC Advisory UK. DC provide buy and sell-side advice during PE transactions and other M&A activity. Richard will be drawing on this expertise and current state of the market to make predictions for the future. This podcast is a vital piece of listening for any PE backed leader looking to prepare for the potentially turbulent times ahead and stay on track to exit.

Andrew Howe, Executive Chair, Largo Leisure

In this episode of the Private Equity Power Talks Podcast, we are joined by Andrew Howe, Founder and former CEO or Bridge Leisure. We discuss Andrews Exit journey with Bridge, including taking a business you have started from scratch into PE ownership, orchestrating a successful off market PE deal and the complexities of completing a PE backed Trade Sale. We also discover Andrew’s key learnings from his career and how he will be taking them into his new role as Exec Chair at Largo Leisure.