Agenda

Gaining a critical edge through the next wave of digital adoption

-
Registration and networking breakfast
-
Chair opening remarks

Anjana Haines, Editor, Real Deals

-
Opening panel: Fortifying data security and maintenance in 2025
  • Strategies to tackle cyber threats and new vulnerabilities to safeguard PE firms with a focus on effective data maintenance practices and data security practices when implementing AI tools.
  • Addressing data leakage, managing cloud risks, ensuring confidentiality and data governance.
  • How GPs and portcos handle cybersecurity risks and maintain compliance with regulations, including the rise of AI-driven attacks.
  • The importance of learning from “cyber hygiene” practices to defend against AI-powered threats.

Moderator: Jon Whiteaker, Editor, The Drawdown

Speakers:

Federico Charosky, CEO, Quorum Cyber
Walid Fakhry, Co-Managing Partner, Soho Square Capital
Dom Lucas, Head of Security, British International Investment
Dee Parekh, Head of Cyber and IT Infrastructure, BGF
Mehul Patel, Partner, August Equity

-
Panel: The automation revolution: Transforming operations for a competitive advantage
  • How can automation technologies be used to enhance monitoring and reporting of performance metrics in portfolio companies.
  • Role of automation in contributing to optimising exit strategies and in facilitating smoother transitions.
  • How can automation increase the value of portfolio companies before a sale, by improving operations and lowering risks?
  • Role of automation and AI in transforming the due diligence procedure, speeding up data collection and improving accuracy.

Moderator: Stephanie Ball, Senior Reporter, Real Deals

Speakers:
Lyndon Arnold, Head of Technology, Triton Partners
James Baker, Investor in Technology and Venture Capital, Amadeus Capital Partners
Billy Dix, Associate Director, Holland Mountain
Anders Meinert Jørgensen, Co-founder & CEO, Avallone

-
Networking break
-
Fireside chat: ESG revolution: Powering value and compliance in PE
  • How do firms gather and use ESG data to drive value creation and compliance?
  • The influence of sustainability reporting and data centres on ESG monitoring in PE.
  • How does PE utilise ESG data and incorporate these factors into their evaluation frameworks?
  • How is AI used to identify and quantify ESG risks in potential investments?

Moderator: Tanya Kaushal, Reporter, The Drawdown

Speakers:
Nina Kraus, Director of Sustainability, Hamilton Lane
Valerie Monk, Risk & Compliance Director, Montagu

-
Panel: The future is here: How is AI driving digital transformation in private equity?
  • Overcoming barriers in infrastructure to fully deploy AI tools in PE firms.
  • The role of low-code platforms in simplifying processes and improving the implementation of AI.
  • The importance of AI training workshops in promoting a culture of innovation and improving the skills of employees.
  • How does combining low-code automation with gen AI and machine learning elevate business performance and reduce junior staff workload?

Moderator: Alex Stickler, Director, Asset Owner Solutions, IQ-EQ

Speakers:
John Frizelle, CTO and Venture Partner, Sure Valley Ventures
Eoghan Hickey, Managing Partner, Jolt Capital
Jamal Ismayilov, Partner, AnaCap
Dr. Dimitris Matalliotakis, CEO, Chief Product & Technology Officer, AssetMetrix

-
Spotlight session: Best in class technology solutions

12:10: Guillaume Acard, CTO, Vaultinum
12:20: Harpreet Lakhan, Director, Holland Mountain
12:30:
Dev Sian, Director, MaxComply, IQ-EQ

-
Networking lunch
-
Panel: Navigating the cloud: Cost, compliance and capability
  • Evaluating the long-term costs of migrating to the cloud versus maintaining on-premises.
  • Identifying best practices to reduce time and costs when re-engineering systems for cloud compatibility.
  • How to maintain data control and compliance in cloud environments, particularly in regulated industries within portfolios.
  • Strategies for PE firms to address cloud adoption resistance and to build cloud expertise within their portfolio company’s IT team, while avoiding vendor lock-in.

Moderator: Anjana Haines, Editor, Real Deals

Speakers:
Mike Arshinskiy, Technology Director, Inflexion
Chris Baker, Partner, LDC
Andrew Kerridge, Senior Technical Architect, ECI
Visar Shabi, Principal, Bregal Milestone

-
STREAM A: How can we unlock value through operational improvements in portfolio companies?
  • Which automation technologies have best streamlined processes, boosted productivity and cost savings?
  • Which KPIs to prioritise in order to measure the operational success and ensure sustainable growth.
  • What strategies promote continuous improvement and innovation among employees within portfolio companies?

Speakers: 
Agata Cooper, Digital Operating Partner, Triton Partners
Llewellyn John, Partner, FPE Capital
Richard Poole, Head of Value Creation Directors, Hg Capital

-
STREAM B: How are new tools transforming opportunity reviews for GPs?
  • How are data insights and automation reshaping ML models?
  • How can actionable data insights influence the development of strategies within specific subsectors?
  • Why are data aggregation, governance, and infrastructure key to scaling AI?
  • How can firms adopt AI/ML without a tech team?
  • Building in-house solutions over using external platforms- What’s the best approach?

Speakers:
Elisabeth Ling, Product Advisor, Livingbridge
Suzanne Pike, Partner and Head of Origination, ECI Partners
Natalia Sigrist, Partner, Private Equity, Unigestion

-
Networking break
-
Roundtables

The next big leap- What changes is Gen AI bringing to the industry?

Facilitators:
Walid Fakhry, Co-Managing Partner, Soho Square Capital

Are companies getting value creation right? Unpacking technology pillars and pitfalls across the deal lifecycle.

Facilitators:
Tim Cochrane, Partner & Head of FPP, Montagu
Jagveer Kang​​​, Digital Transformation Lead, British International Investment

How is talent doing in the age of AI and new technologies?

Facilitator:
David Fisher, Senior Investment Director, IW Capital

-
Panel: The AI race is on: Driving real change in portfolio performance
  • How can AI tools enhance decision-making processes and optimise performance metrics within portfolio companies?
  • Discussing AI’s role in identifying operational efficiencies and driving value creation across various sectors within the portfolio.
  • How can private equity firms balance ethical data usage and AI-driven portfolio performance optimization?
  • How does UK data Privacy laws like GDPR impact on AI powered portfolio analytics in PE?

Moderator: Tristan Alden, VP Sales – EMEASourcescrub

Speakers:

Gilad G. Amir, Digital Operating Partner, Pollen Street Capital
Paul-Louis Andrés, Operating Principal, Value Creation, Seven2
Maria Carradice, Managing Director and Specialist- ESG, Mayfair Equity
Nisha Raghavan, Partner, Chief Operating Officer, and Head of AI Taskforce, Actis
Prashant Selvaratnam, Director, Value Creation Partners, LDC

-
Fireside chat: strengthening LP-GP relationships through technological advancements
  • How technology can improve transparency and decision-making for both LPs and GPs by providing real-time data, customisable reporting, and advanced analytics.
  • Leveraging CRM systems to strengthen LP-GP relationships, track interactions and boost service delivery.
  • How smart contracts can automate investment processes, streamline operations and minimise disputes between LPs and GPs.

Moderator: Shirin Veeran, Data and CRM Manager, HG Capital

Speakers: 
Amber Hilkene, Partner and Chief Growth Officer, Stanley Capital Partners
Chris Neale, Partner, Phoenix Equity

Closing remarks and networking drinks

Sponsored by qashqade.