Programme

The programme
The day will begin with a plenary session. The conference facilities will then be divided up to allow for three concurrent panel discussions. Each stream of break-out sessions will cater for a different group of private equity professionals. Delegates will then be brought back together for a final keynote speech and the announcement of the Private Equity Awards short-lists before a concluding drinks reception.

09.00 – 09.30: Registration, coffee and networking

09.30-09.50: Opening remarks and Keynote

09.50 -10.30: Plenary Session
The debate:
A lack of strong investment opportunities is a far bigger threat to the return of the UK mid-market than a lack of debt.

Supporting the motion
Managing partner of PE house
Highly regarded adviser or banker

Opposing the motion    
Managing partner of PE house
Highly regarded adviser or banker

Chaired by    TBC    

10.30-11.00: Tea/coffee break in Westbourne 2

11.00-11.45: Break-out session A
 
1. Beating the competition: deal origination strategies in a market that refuses to cool down.

  • tracking down the elusive proprietary deal
  • cracking the hotly contested auction process
  • taking on a take-private – and winning

2. Out of danger: driving value – the new portfolio management challenge

  • operational improvement
  • funding growth
  • maximising management potential

3. Raising hell: how to overcome a uniquely challenging fundraising market

  • getting your proposition right
  • navigating a shifting LP demographic
  • terms and conditions – managing the new GP/LP relationship

11.45-11.55: Session changeover

11.55-12.40: Break-out session B.

1. Securing debt on your terms: acquisition finance strategies in 2011

  • navigating a banking industry in flux
  • structuring a deal for maximum growth
  • the role of the alternative debt provider

2. Managing management: getting the most out of the leadership teams in your portfolio companies

  • incentivising management success
  • hiring, firing and the role of the interim
  • developing talent

3. Team spirit: motivation techniques in an uncertain year

  • recruitment and retention
  • financial incentivisation
  • maintaining morale when deals are scarce

12.40-14.15: Lunch in Westbourne 2

14.15-15.00: Break-out session C

1. Placing your bets: investment strategies in 2011

  • Identifying which sectors hold potential for the UK-market.
  • An analysis of the opportunities and challenges presented by the retail, healthcare, support services, financial services and TMT industries

2. Restructuring portfolio companies: lessons learnt – preparing for the next wave of refinancings

  • working effectively with banks
  • understanding your options
  • laying the structural foundations for future growth

3. The reality of regulation: the day to day impact of legislative change

  • the impact of UK and European regulatory change
  • the impact of accountancy changes
  • the impact of fiscal changes

15.00-15.10: Session changeover

15.10–15.50: Break-out session D

1. Success from distress: how to make turnarounds work

  • sourcing the elusive recessionary bargain
  • rebuilding value through operational change

2. Maximising returns: making the most from your realisations

  • secondary buyouts
  • selling to trade
  • exiting onto the public markets

3. Keeping control: making the secondaries market work for you

  • the outlook for secondaries in 2011
  • using the secondaries market to manage your LP base
  • the role of the direct secondary

15.50-16.30: Tea/coffee break

16.30-17.00: The keynote speech:

The keynote speech will be delivered by either a key political figure or leading name from industry.
 
Possibilities include:
 
Vince Cable
Stuart Rose
Stefano Pessina

The short-lists announced.

The short-lists for the 2011 Private Equity Awards, to be held in April, will be announced for the first time.

Drinks reception