The private equity industry is growing up. Many firms have been around for 30-plus years now. Along with the natural maturing of the asset class has come the professionalization of many activities. For example, Mergers & Acquisitions has written extensively about the professionalization of the business development role – most recently in our March cover story. Now we’re starting to see the human resources role get more definition and prestige at PE firms.
Competition among PE firms for deals has never been more fierce, and that also ups the ante when it comes to stacking the deck with the best professionals out there. Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are also driving more focus on recruiting and retaining folks at PE firms.
Enter the Chief Talent Officer. The CTO role has varying responsibilities, depending on the PE firm. Some CTOs focus on recruiting and retaining investment professionals and other employees at their firms; while others work with portfolio companies to find and recruit executives; and some CTOs do all of the above.
Tomorrow we’ll hear from three CTOs at our Rising Stars of Private Equity SPEAK virtual event. Tune in for insights from: Kate Berkeley, talent acquisition, managing director; Gryphon Investors; Annmarie Neal, partner and chief talent officer, Hellman & Friedman; and Trish Gilbert, chief talent officer; Wind Point Partners and Anna Edwin, global head of talent development, TPG. I’m excited to learn more about the CTO role.
– Mary Kathleen Flynn
