Performance, Change and Strategy

Accountants and Private Equity event

Partners and directors at top 4 Accountants Ernst and Young helping the disadvantaged…

I’m looking forward to a forthcoming event at Ernst & Young London Bridge finding out about how Ernst and Young have supported the Private equity Foundation “which helps young people reach their potential by creating a safety net of support for children at home, through school, in the community and into the workplace.”

Working with the Private Equity Foundation(PEF)  allows individuals or teams from EY to make a valuable difference in the community, whilst developing their own skills in a different environment and operating alongside current and potential clients in the private equity, government and wider arenas. Individuals and teams within the firm have already given 4000 hours to support PEF and its charities through activities including:

· Coaching individuals working at the charities

· Helping charities analyse and assess new ways of operating to improve effectiveness or efficiency

· Working with PEF to better understand how to measure the effectiveness of NEET interventions

· Helping PEF develop a new approach to significantly reduce the number of NEETs (involving over £1m of Advisory hours to date)

· Due diligence to inform decisions around potential financial investment

· Using tax and financial reporting skills to help charities with specific issues

The aim of the event on 18 May is to bring together representatives of PEF and some of the charities it supports with people within EY who have already worked with PEF and its charities, as well as those who may have an interest in doing so, to share experiences and ideas. ‘
Ernst & Young is proud to be named “Accountancy firm of the year” at the prestigious Financial Times / Mergermarket European M&A Awards 2010 - www.ey.com/Services/Transactions

Tags: Accountants and coaching, Private equity and coaching

Private Equity and coaching

Private Equity and change -Why Private equity coaching is relevant

Private Equity International (www.privateequityonline.com) recently ran an interesting feature about next-generation leaders: “Founders need heirs, and yet many founders of major private equity firms have yet to designate heirs apparent. PEI asked market participants to identify key next-generation leaders who seem poised to, if not take over their firms, continue to be entrusted with major responsibilities while the founders ponder succession plans”

Being clear about talent development and in particular milestones and evidence of having the “right” leadership qualities and being ready is a ”serious performance/development conversation” that is often needed in these situations. That is where coaching for Private Equity professionals fits in.

Reflecting on action and acting on reflection is something that professionals don’t do enough of. Those Private Equity professionals who take ownership of their career by finding a private equity coach can rapidly overtake their counterparts who are leaving their development solely to financial /company assessment & performance. Decision making, relationship management, coaching skils and soft skills are part of the arsenal of a professional.

Professionals who look for a private equity coach are massively taking charge of their development and are doing something that all leaders find valuable – namely taking time out of a busy schedule to reflect on performance and look at key areas to improve.

Also skills, capabilities and competencies which enabled portfolio companies to thrive in recent years of growth, may not be suited to protect and preserve the business in leaner times so Private equity professionals may need to dig deeper in terms of adaptability and flexibility….Deeper in terms of self awareness, focus and ability to behaviorally create key changes.

The Private Equity coaching that I do is 100% confidential and is based on an intial meeting to see if the “fit” and the “chemistry” is right . Coaching is a trusted relationship and the private equity coaching that I do has this at the core before anything else.  See more about Private Equity coaching .

Tags: Private equity and coaching