Value Creation

Client / Mandate complexity

The complexity of the fund structure meant that understanding and using data effectively was critical to value creation. The focus was not only on identifying the right data, but also on developing tools and approaches that could improve performance across the portfolio. After introducing the Head of Data, we were asked to support the build-out of his team and to help strengthen the wider value creation function.

Constraints or sensitivities

Candidates needed strong data analysis capability and technical programming skills, combined with intellectual curiosity and commercial awareness. Just as important were clear communication and client-facing skills, as the role required working closely with investment and portfolio teams.

Market mapping and intelligence

March developed a targeted sourcing strategy, mapping candidates across Big Four advisory teams, strategy consultancies, specialist boutiques, and PE-backed data-intensive scale-ups. This approach allowed us to identify individuals with the technical depth and commercial perspective needed to operate effectively within a private equity environment.

Candidate evaluation process

March introduced an initial shortlist with candidates with a range of technical skills. All candidates needed the interpersonal skills, but the requirements were subtly different between what was required by the GP verses what the Value Creation team needed. March presented a pipeline of candidates, some more suited to the central data team, some more suited to the value creation team. Working with the client, we helped design the interview process, so candidates were interviewed in person and tested for their client interaction and stakeholder management skills. Candidates who performed well in the in-person interviews were then brought back for a 2-hour case study presentation.

Successful placement details

The process proved very successful and three hires were made, one for the data science team and two consultants for the value creation team. March also created a future pipeline, mapping out the firms with the most relevant candidates and establishing relationships for future hires for the fund.