Analysis

As the private equity industry has matured, succession has become an increasingly pressing issue for firms big and small. Those who get it right will win the confidence of investors and live for generations to come

Edoardo Lanzavecchia, Managing Partner of pan-European mid-market private equity house Alpha, talks to Real Deals about securing deal flow in a competitive market, how to stay disciplined when prices are high and why deal flow has remained strong despite macro-economic uncertainty.

The next 12 months could be some of the most challenging the private equity industry has had to navigate for some time. Real Deals straw polls a group of GPs and advisers on their hopes, challenges and business priorities for the year ahead.

These are against-the-odds predictions to say the least, but like Robert A. Heinlein’s definition of science fiction, they represent “realistic speculation about possible future events”. To be enjoyed with tongue firmly in cheek.

The last twelve months have been one of the best on record for private equity fundraising figures, but the big numbers hide the fact that small managers are finding it tougher to get their funds over the line.

GPs and advisers discuss the risks Brexit poses for private equity firms and how investors are navigating uncertain times.

ClearlySo’s Arti Bareja describes her own journey into social impact investing and discusses where the sector stands at the moment and what its future could look like.

Women are better represented in impact investing than private equity. But as impact goes mainstream its gender balance could be at risk.

Private equity has been reluctant to make minority investments, but as the market becomes more crowded and dry powder swells, investors have reconsidered their long-held positions.

Private equity firms will desperately be hoping that a no-deal Brexit never materialises, but GPs need to take steps to protect their interests.