Real Deals in Focus - Retail
Delegates at our retail event in 2009
6-9pm, 30 September 2010, The Commonwealth Club, London
Real Deals is delighted to announce the first in our Real Deals in Focus events, a series designed to uncover the opportunities and challenges that four different sectors present for the UK private equity industry.
Meet retail industry leaders
As we approach yet another recession scarred Christmas - this time with a VAT hike to welcome in the new year - the retail market is feeling the pressure. This event will bring together some of the best minds in the industry to explore how to navigate a retail business through these turbulent times and to identify where the real growth prospects of tomorrow lie.
The agenda, led by a keynote speech from Roger Pedder and followed by an onstage panel of big name private equity investors and CEOs, will cover the whole retail ecosystem from specialist managers and investors to advisers and lenders.
Speakers include:
Roger Pedder - Roger began his career as a buyer for the Peter Lord chain (later Clarks) before marrying Sibella Clark and leaving the business to forge his own way. He went on to work at BHS, Burton Group, Burmah, Ward White and Harris/Lowndes Queensway. He later began his own business Pet City which was sold to American Petsmart for "a number we couldn't refuse".
Subsequent start-ups and turnarounds include Craftworld and Robert Dyas.
Roger rejoined Clarks in 1988 and became chairman in 1993. Following the resolution of a much publicised family dispute he grew profits at the business from £27.6m to £94.2m and created the fourth largest shoe retailer in the world. He is also currently chairman of ECI Capital Partners-backed Bargain Booze and Spa & Salon.
Martin Clarke - Martin is the head of pan-European mega firm Permira's consumer division and is responsible for investments including on and off again IPO target New Look, Spanish pizza chain Telepizza and gambling chain Gala Corale. Permira's other retail bets include designer apparel business Hugo Boss Valentino and Birds Eye.
Roger Holmes - Roger is managing director of Change Capital Partners which recently sold fashion retailer Republic to TPG Capital. His former roles include chief executive of Marks & Spencer, finance director of B&Q and managing director of Woolworths.
Jason McGibbon - Jason is head of Bridgepoint's consumer team, which recently acquired 47-store arts and crafts retailer Hobbycraft. Other Bridgepoint investments in the sector include Fat Face and Pret A Manger.
Eduardo Velasco - Partner at L Capital, an international private equity fund sponsored by LVMH focused on consumer brands and retail. Eduardo Velasco joined L Capital in 2004, where he has managed 3 investments (Micromania, Nutrition & Santé and Princess Yachts) and 4 disposals (Micromania, Nutrition & Santé, Forte Pharma and Imaginarium) in France, Spain and UK.
Highly focused networking
The evening is designed to enable direct access to your peers operating in the retail sector, to help source deals and discover the best opportunities. 
Real Deals in Focus is a series of highly topical events that brings together some of the most influential names in private equity investment and industry. It delivers high level sector-driven debate and targeted networking.
Amy Carroll, editor of Real Deals, applies the same editorial rigour to our conferences programme that has cemented Real Deals’ position as the independent voice of European private equity.
Real Deals in Focus fulfils a need for events that are less taxing on delegates’ time and spend. For those seeking an alternative to overly ambitious conferences charging a premium for marginal value, this evening will be a breath of fresh air.
Register today for only £129
- To book your place at £129 (+VAT) contact Silvia Natalicchi on +44 (0)20 7368 7125 / silvia@realdeals.eu.com or download the registration form
- For sponsorship opportunities, contact Steven Randell on +44 (0)20 7368 7134 or email steven.randell@realdeals.eu.com
