Mergermarket M&A Forum Chicago 2023
The must-attend event for US dealmakers returns!
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
11
Jul
Private equity viewpoint: Staying active in the current environment
According to a joint report conducted by Mergermarket and Debtwire, buyout activity amounted to 752 deals worth USD276.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022, down 25.6% compared to 2021. This can be attributed to the significant headwinds facing investors, including geopolitical unrest, inflationary pressure, and rising interest rates contributing to a highly uncertain investment environment. However, with funds sitting on substantial amounts of dry powder and corporate carve-outs still active, the outlook for the market is promising. For forward thinking funds that can selectively access opportunities and innovate via technology like AI for deal sourcing and due diligence the future is bright. Our panel of GPs share their views on the current state of the market and opportunities and challenges from investments to exits.
- What are the benefits of partnering with private equity in an M&A transaction?
- Which transaction sizes have GPs been focusing on?
- How is AI impacting the deal market today and in the future?
- What capital structure are GPs now using less leverage is available?
- What are the current portfolio priorities – labor shortages, ESG, de-risking supply chains, digitalization?
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SpeakersClint Coghill Head of Investors ION ANALYTICS (BACKSTOP)
Alex Friedman Principal - Business Development PERISCOPE EQUITY
Elizabeth Browne Managing Director GCM GROSVENOR
Nick Potter Principal, Financial Services THE VISTRIA GROUP
Ellen Havdala Managing Director EQUITY GROUP INVESTMENTS
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Alex joined Periscope in 2018 and is a Principal. He leads business development and is responsible for the firm’s deal sourcing effort across business owners, executives and deal intermediaries as well as other relationships tied to Periscope’s origination strategy.
Prior to joining Periscope Equity, Alex was a Vice President of business development at a lower middle market private investment firm. Previously, Alex was a Vice President at Gibraltar Business Capital, where he focused on sponsor-backed, private credit origination. Earlier in his career, Alex was an Assistant Vice President at PNC Capital Markets in its financial services, advisory and banking practice, where he covered insurance companies.
Alex received a BBA in finance, investment and banking from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Ms. Browne is co-head of the Elevate strategy as part of the Sponsor Solutions Business. In addition, she works on various strategic investing initiatives across the firm. Prior to joining GCM Grosvenor, Ms. Browne worked at RedBird Capital Partners, where she focused on investing in family and founder-led businesses, including transaction sourcing, company-building, capital raising, and co-investments. Before joining RedBird, she was a senior member of the investment team and head of business development for DNS Capital, a prominent Midwest family office, where she focused on investing in venture and private equity transactions across a range of industries and sectors. Earlier in her career, she held roles at Goldman Sachs, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Ms. Browne earned a BA in Sociology with Great Distinction from McGill University and an MBA in Finance and International Business from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She sits on the Midwest steering committee for the Women's Association of Venture & Equity (WAVE); is a member of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN) and The Chicago Network; and founded the Chicago Women: Lift & Lead citywide interview series, in partnership with Chicago Scholars.
Nick Potter serves as Principal on the Financial Services team at The Vistria Group, a middle-market private investment firm focused on delivering both financial returns and societal impact. Joined in March 2017, Nick has played a vital role in identifying and capitalizing on investment opportunities across the financial services industry, with particular emphasis on asset and wealth management, insurance services, and healthcare-related financial services platforms. Nick’s expertise in financial services has established him as a trusted leader in the industry and at the firm, driving the growth and contributing to the success of the portfolio companies he serves.
Prior to The Vistria Group, Nick was an Associate at Flexpoint Ford, where he focused primarily on investments in financial services companies. He also worked in the technology services investment banking group at Raymond James & Associates.
Nick received a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from The Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. He currently is involved with the board of several notable portfolio companies, including Treliant, The Mather Group and Flores & Associates.
Ellen has worked in a variety of capacities for Sam Zell’s affiliated companies for more than 30 years. As managing director, she represents EGI in finding potential transactions, and serves on the boards of Ardent Health Services, a provider of hospital and healthcare services and Lanter Delivery Systems, an asset-light dedicated delivery service provider. In addition, Ellen helped establish and is responsible for overseeing the Zell Global Entrepreneurship Network (ZGEN), an organization that provides continuing education and mentorship for students and alumni of three entrepreneurship education programs sponsored by the Zell Family Foundation.
She has served on the boards of SIRVA, Inc., a provider of moving and relocation services; Rewards Network, a dining rewards company; WRS Holding Company, which specializes in environmental construction and remediation; East Mediterranean Gas Company SAE, an Egyptian natural gas transmission business; National Patent Development Corporation, a holding company focused on pharmaceutical and home improvement products; and Home Products International, a global consumer products company. She also held the roles of executive vice president at Equity International and vice president of Scott Sports Group.
Previously, Ellen was a financial analyst with The First Boston Corporation in New York City. She graduated magna cum laude with a BA from Harvard College and earned her Master of Divinity degree from the University of Chicago in 2016.