Spotlight On Podcast

Private equity is facing a reality check: with a volatile market and modest growth no longer guaranteeing big exits, value creation plans are more critical than ever. In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton sits down with Accordion’s Atul Aggarwal and Andy Burgess about what this means for PE firms and CFOs. Atul and Andy explore the realities of expanding a US consulting firm into the ma...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton is joined by Tim Farazmand, Co-Founder of PCB Partners, and an experienced NED & Advisory board member.  Tim discusses why assessing risk, return, and measurable impact is the new industry standard, explains how B Corp certification signals quality, and why pursuing social goals can actually strengthen a business's culture and resilience wi...

Private equity (PE) is entering a hyper-competitive new era. While headline deal values are surging, the real story is a "K-shaped" recovery, with megadeals and top-tier performers leading the charge.  In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton is joined by Bain’s Emilio Domingo, Chief Commercial Officer EMEA Private Equity, to break down their latest report and what it means for t...

In this episode of Spotlight On: Women in Leadership, we sit down with Lynda Clarke, General Manager UK at Nayax, to unpack what it really takes to lead in fintech.  Lynda highlights the need for listening before fixing, using emotional intelligence to build trust, and turning imposter syndrome into practical action. From Middle East boardrooms to inclusive hiring, Lynda maps the small steps that...

In this episode, Nicholas Barton sits down with Roy Perticucci, former CEO of Allegro and a veteran of large-scale transformation across Europe’s leading digital and retail businesses. Here, Roy offers a practical view of what defines an effective Chief Transformation Officer today. He discusses the importance of analytical rigour, disciplined execution, and credibility with CEOs and boards, where...

In this episode of Spotlight On's Women in Leadership series, Olivia Stainton speaks with Waynn Wu, Chief Strategy Officer at Philip Morris International, about the self-awareness and discipline required to lead through change. Here, Waynn reflects on her early life, the impact of traditional expectations, and how resisting conformity shaped her ambition. She discusses a defining moment in he...

In this episode of Spotlight On's Women in Leadership series, Jane Harley sits down with Sharon Rice-Oxley, Partner and Co-Founder at Q5. Sharon discusses the growth of organisational health through leaders telling a clear story, listening deeply, and building a culture where people bring their whole selves to work. Along the way, we discuss hiring, allyship, cross-cultural leadership, and le...

In this episode of Women in Leadership, Olivia Stainton sits down with Hanne Andresen, Chief Strategy Officer at Costa Coffee, to learn how she turns long-term ambition into daily action through clarity and consistency. Drawing on her global experience, Hanne details her three-pillar strategy: defining where to win, translating choices into simple action plans, and building a culture that looks ah...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton, Founder of The Barton Partnership, sits down with Kate Gibson, who shares her journey from strategy consulting to becoming a pioneering sustainability leader, revealing how corporate approaches to ESG are evolving from siloed initiatives to integrated business strategy. For business leaders navigating this landscape, Kate offers practical advice: u...

James Hadley, Senior Partner at Bain & Company and current UK Managing Partner, shares insights from his nearly 30-year career on how corporate strategy functions are evolving to meet today's business challenges.  Whether you are a corporate strategist, consultant, or executive navigating strategic decisions, this conversation offers invaluable perspective on how the practice of strategy...

In this episode of Spotlight On, TBP's Founder, Nicholas Barton, sits down with Carl Evander, OC&C's Global Head of Private Equity, who offers an insider's view off the back of a trip to Superreturn Berlin. Carl discusses how private equity is navigating today's tough economic climate, including rising interest rates and tech disruption. Carl visits PE at a turning point, m...

In this episode of Spotlight On, we sit down with Bridget Walsh, EY's Global Head of Private Equity (PE), who takes us through PE's remarkable journey, drawing on her vast experience leading PE professionals across 45 countries. Bridget reveals insights about the current state of private equity, highlighting that 78% of firms are holding assets beyond their typical investment horizons, c...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton, Founder of The Barton Partnership, is joined by Hugh MacArthur, Chairman of Bain & Company's Global Private Equity Practice.  We dive into the evolution of private equity from its humble beginnings to a trillion-dollar powerhouse, with Hugh's 30-year career at Bain providing unparalleled insights. Hugh also touches upon the surprising...

On this episode of Spotlight On, Elaine Bermudez sits down with Ari Labell, an independent consultant and strategic advisor to the consumer goods industry and former President of North America for Hain Celestial. Ari shares valuable insights from his illustrious career, revealing the essence of building authentic brands that resonate with consumers.  We also discuss how forward-thinking brands can...

In this episode of Spotlight On we are joined by Marco Van Kalleveen, CEO at DKV Mobility, who shares his transformative journey from consulting to leading DKV Mobility, offering insights into the dynamics between private equity investors and operational teams. Marco discusses the importance of purposeful leadership, M&A strategies, and the role of digitalisation and AI in driving business suc...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton sits down with Luke Jensen, Executive Chairman at Hana Group. Luke shares his extensive career journey, from banking to leading transformative roles in the global food industry and retail, including as CEO of Ocado Solutions and Group Director of Strategy at Sainsbury's. Here, Luke reflects on his experiences driving innovation, particularly in...

In this episode, Nicholas Barton sits down with Suvir Varma, Advisory Partner to Bain's Global Private Equity Business, to explore the evolving landscape of Private Equity in the Asia-Pacific region. Here, Suvir shares insights on how AI is shaping private equity strategies, from deal sourcing to portfolio management. He highlights the increasing focus on sustainable investments, particularly...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Alex Dyke sits down with Mike Essex, Senior Partner at Wipro, to discuss how effective leadership can thrive in the face of complex, global digital transformation challenges and the fast-evolving dynamics of today’s workforce. Mike shares his experience leading digital transformation programs across global teams, emphasising adaptability, emotional intelligence, an...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Josh White, Co-Founder & CEO of Cano Water discusses his mission to combat plastic pollution. Inspired by a trip to Thailand, Josh and his friends created a sustainable water brand using aluminium cans. The discussion explores the rewards of building a business with a strong environmental focus and how Cano Water has sold over 40 million cans while staying true...

In this episode, Emily Farrow sits down with Oliver Lang, former Management Consultant turned serial entrepreneur with special expertise in Insurance and Insurtech. The discussion explores the transition from consulting to entrepreneurship, highlighting practical advice for leveraging consulting skills in a startup environment. Oliver shares insights on positioning businesses for private equity sa...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Michael Fritz welcomes Oliver Mitchell, Partner at ff Venture Capital, as he explores the future of deep tech and robotics. With his experience as a Founder and investor, Oliver discusses the shift in robotics towards a more sales-driven approach, along with the challenges startups face in 'pilot purgatory.' He discusses the resurgence of smart-manufactur...

In this episode of Spotlight On, Kaitlin Bedford sits down with Sviat Dulianinov, Bright Machines's Chief Strategy Officer. We dive into Sviat's career journey, from consulting with Bain to SPAR and now leading strategy at Bright Machines. The conversation unpacks how Bright Machines transitioned from consumer products to pioneering AI infrastructure, revolutionising manufacturing proces...

In this episode, Alex Dyke is joined by Christine Rupp, Managing Director of IBM for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, to discuss the pivotal role of female leadership in the era of AI. Here, they explore the strategic imperative for this leadership, highlighting the significant gap between the demand for women's leadership to counter gender bias and their representation in strategic AI-focu...

In this episode, Nicholas Barton, Founder & CEO of The Barton Partnership, is joined by Graham Elton, Partner in the London office of Bain & Company and Chairman of the EMEA Private Equity business. The discussion explores how cutting-edge AI technologies, including bespoke tools like Helix and Dialog AI, are revolutionising deal sourcing, due diligence, and knowledge management across the...

In this episode, The Barton Partnership's Dylan Rodwell is joined by Andrew Bud, Founder & CEO of iProov. Here, Andrew discusses the evolving landscape of biometric security, tracing his journey from the early days of the microprocessor revolution to the founding of iProov.  The conversation highlights the significant strides iProov has made in biometric authentication, marking a shift fr...