New Report Highlights Executive Recruiting Trends in Private Equity Amid Shifting Market Conditions

by Dominique Lombardo | Oct 21, 2024 | Press

New Report Highlights Executive Recruiting Trends in Private Equity Amid Shifting Market Conditions

Private Equity Talent Report 2H2024 Bespoke Partners, the leading retained executive search and leadership advisory firm for software companies, today released its 2H2024 Talent Market Update Report offering new insights into executive recruiting trends in the dynamic economic climate.

Available now, the new edition of the Private Equity Talent Report focuses on executive recruiting trends in private equity-backed software and SaaS companies, including executive compensation, equity packages and turnover rates.

The report is based on Bespoke’s extensive experience with hundreds of portfolio companies and private equity sponsors. It highlights how leadership demands are evolving in light of extended hold periods, valuation gaps, and cautious optimism in deal activity.

“The recent US interest rate cut offers some hope for renewed deal activity, but market complexities remain,” said Eric Walczykowski, Bespoke Chief Executive Officer. “Extended hold periods and valuation gaps have been slowing exits, making strong leadership critical for driving growth in uncertain times. ”

The 2H2024 report uncovers three primary trends shaping the private equity talent market:

Go-to-Market and CEO Turnover:
Turnover remains elevated in key roles tied to revenue generation, particularly among Go-to-Market leaders. CEO turnover has also returned to historical higher levels after a period of relative stability.

Compensation Trends:
The tight labor market continues to drive elevated compensation packages for high-demand executive roles.

Optimism in Exit Valuations:
There’s a renewed sense of optimism around exit valuations, as indicated in equity packages negotiated in recent executive placements.

As part of an ongoing series, this update provides valuable insights for private equity firms as they navigate the complexities of leadership transitions and prepare for future exits in a changing economic environment.

Private equity professionals and portfolio company executives can get a complimentary copy here: www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

About Bespoke Partners

Bespoke Partners is the largest firm focused exclusively on executive recruiting and leadership advisory services for software and SaaS companies in the United States.

Bespoke-placed executives have orchestrated exits and more than 425 acquisitions by their companies, totaling more than $135 billion in value.

The firm is the leadership talent partner of choice for public, private, private equity and venture backed software companies. Bespoke has recruited more than 1,000 top-performing leaders into private equity portfolio companies, including CEOs, CFOs, CROs, CMOs, CPOs, CTOs, CIOs, CHROs, Board Members, Operating Partners, Vice Presidents and many more.

Bespoke’s unique, data-driven services complete searches in typically half the industry average time with a 95% placement success rate. The firm’s unique methodology identifies leaders who will accelerate growth and cuts the risk of C-suite mis-hiring.

Learn more at www.bespokepartners.com.

Contacts

Dominique Lombardo
dominique.lombardo@bespokepartners.com

Bespoke Partners & Alphaskill Form Strategic Ecosystem Alliance to Boost Cross-Atlantic Talent Acquisition

by Dominique Lombardo | Sep 16, 2024 | Press

Bespoke Partners & Alphaskill Form Strategic Ecosystem Alliance to Boost Cross-Atlantic Talent Acquisition

SAN DIEGO

Bespoke Partners, the largest retained executive search and leadership advisory service firm for software companies in the United States, and Alphaskill, a leading Europe-based executive search and deal advisory firm, announced a partnership to enable private equity firm portfolio companies to accelerate execution on geographic expansion strategies.

The collaboration increases clients’ access to executive and advisor-level talent in the US and European markets.

With its unmatched US network of proven executives, Bespoke will enable Alphaskill-referred clients to recruit US country managers who can execute on expansion plans in the region.

Alphaskill will tap its expansive network of Europe-based operating executives to enable US-based companies referred by Bespoke to recruit leaders to drive growth in the geography.

“We’re seeing an increase in European companies looking to expand into the US and hire their first US Country Manager,” said Eric Walczykowski, CEO of Bespoke Partners.

“Scaling in the US is a complex challenge that comes with great rewards for those who succeed. Our relationship with Alphaskill, with its coverage of 15 European countries and 8 spoken languages, enhances our ability to support such success through streamlined communication between the European leadership team and the US candidate market. It also enables us to make trusted referrals to US-based portfolio company clients who have executive search needs for European candidates.”

“Having a search partner in the US gives us access to a large, highly qualified new pool of candidates for our technology company executive, deal advisor, and NED mandates,” said Vivek Batra, Managing Partner of Alphaskill UK.

“Our partnership with Bespoke enables our clients to have direct, local access to the deep market in the US for leading talent across the C-suite in software and SaaS companies. Additionally, we look forward to supporting more US companies’ growth goals via European executive placements.”

Through both firms’ expertise solving the talent needs of private equity investors and growth-oriented companies, this partnership drives even better, faster client delivery through an enhanced understanding and ability to execute on the cultural and commercial nuances that exist in different regions. This ecosystem partnership reaffirms both Bespoke Partners and Alphaskill’s commitment to clients’ goals of achieving investment theses across their portfolio.

About Bespoke Partners

Bespoke Partners is the largest firm focused exclusively on executive recruiting for software and SaaS companies in the United States. The firm is the leadership talent partner of choice for public, private, private equity and venture backed software companies.

Bespoke-placed executives have orchestrated exits and more than 425 acquisitions by their companies, totaling more than $135 billion in value.

The firm is the leadership talent partner of choice for public, private, private equity and venture backed software companies. Bespoke has recruited more than 1,000 top-performing leaders into private equity portfolio companies, including CEOs, CFOs, CROs, CMOs, CPOs, CTOs, CIOs, CHROs, Board Members, Operating Partners, Vice Presidents and many more.

Bespoke’s unique, data-driven services complete searches in typically half the industry average time with a 95% placement success rate. The firm’s unique methodology identifies leaders who will accelerate growth and cuts the risk of C-suite mis-hiring.

Learn more at www.bespokepartners.com.

About Alphaskill

Alphaskill is a deal advisory and executive search firm focused exclusively on the needs of European private equity. The firm gives PE sponsors access to mission critical executives across the entire investment lifecycle and originates executive-led deal flow.

Learn more at https://www.alphaskill.com/

Contacts

Dominique Lombardo
dominique.lombardo@bespokepartners.com

Entering New Markets: European Private Equity Trends with Alphaskill

Topic: Join us for a new episode of Tailored Talent with Vivek Batra, European Private Equity expert and Managing Partner of the European-based executive search firm Alphaskill, that specializes in deal-centric searches for mid-cap private equity firms across Europe.

Vivek and our CEO, Eric Walczykowski, discuss the current trends in European private equity:

The difference between a sales leader and a General Manager
Working with a firm with local expertise
The role of pre-deal advisory work, and the challenges of entering new markets

Discover how Alphaskill’s unique approach to talent acquisition drives value for private equity firms navigating complex transactions.

Bespoke Partners Welcomes New Ecosystem Partner: Ampersand Leadership Group

by Dominique Lombardo | Jul 22, 2024 | Alliance, Press

Bespoke Partners Welcomes New Ecosystem Partner: Ampersand Leadership Group

SAN DIEGO

Bespoke Partners, the largest retained executive search and leadership advisory service firm for software companies, is pleased to welcome Ampersand Leadership Group, a preeminent leadership advisory firm for private equity firms and their portfolio companies, to our partner ecosystem. In doing so, Bespoke continues to demonstrate our commitment to enhancing our partnership with our private equity clients and placed executives.

Recognizing both firms’ expertise optimizing talent to drive value for private equity portfolio companies, this collaboration will give clients streamlined access to tailored talent solutions spanning the investment lifecycle. These include leadership and organizational diligence, as well as new leader search, assimilation, onboarding, and ongoing assessment and development.

Eric Walczykowski, CEO of Bespoke Partners, adds, “Bespoke understands what private equity-backed software and SaaS businesses need from their management teams. Through our data-driven, AI-powered executive index, we source and recruit the industry’s top executives to fill open roles in less than 100 days on average, with a placement success rate of over 95%. By partnering with Ampersand, we can further invest in the success of our candidates by equipping them with direct access to Ampersand’s suite of organizational and executive assessment and development offerings.”

“We especially appreciate the holistic approach Bespoke brings to adding value for the clients they serve, whether that be during a due diligence process, in the first 100 days post-close, or mid-hold,” said Matt Richburg, Managing Partner of Ampersand Leadership Group.

“Joining this ecosystem creates a natural extension for us to support their efforts and maintain an open dialogue when we encounter clients with a need for Bespoke’s unique, direct access to the software/SaaS candidate market.”

Bespoke Partners and Ampersand Leadership Group have always aimed to build high-performing leadership teams that drive organizational transformation and generate outsized returns for their investors. Together, this ecosystem partnership reinforces both firms’ commitment to this goal and the success of their clients.

About Bespoke Partners

Bespoke Partners is the largest firm focused exclusively on executive recruiting for software and SaaS companies in the United States. The firm is the leadership talent partner of choice for public, private, private equity and venture backed software companies.

Bespoke’s unique, data-driven services complete searches in typically half the industry average time with a 95% placement success rate. The firm’s unique methodology identifies leaders who will accelerate growth and cuts the risk of C-suite mis-hiring.

Learn more at www.bespokepartners.com.

About Ampersand Leadership Group

Ampersand’s leadership advisory practice supports investors, boards, and executive teams of private equity-backed organizations to accelerate value creation. Their expertise and offerings span the investment lifecycle, from organizational and executive diligence through individual leader and team development, enabling ongoing talent reviews and dynamic action planning.

You can read more about how Ampersand partners to optimize individual and collective leadership talent at www.ampleader.com.

Contacts

Dominique Lombardo
dominique.lombardo@bespokepartners.com

Bespoke Partners Initiates Coverage of Fintech Sector, Providing Premier Executive Talent to Drive Adoption of Integrated Finance Technologies

by Bespoke Partners | Jul 17, 2024 | Press

Bespoke Partners Initiates Coverage of Fintech Sector, Providing Premier Executive Talent to Drive Adoption of Integrated Finance Technologies

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Bespoke Partners, the largest retained executive search and leadership advisory service firm for software companies, today announced it is initiating coverage of the financial technology sector.

The move will provide clients with comprehensive talent market insights and curated access to leaders who can scale financial technology firms or drive adoption of integrated finance technologies in other software and SaaS companies.

The heightened sector focus is a significant extension of Bespoke’s Private Equity Client Services Program, underscoring its dedication to influencing the leadership dynamics in key industry sectors.

Bespoke-placed leaders have transformed companies in every subsector of fintech including commercial banking, investment banking, asset management, capital markets, crypto currency, payments and more.

“We enable innovative organizations serving the financial sector with leaders who adopt cutting-edge technologies to enhance competitiveness and promote capital-efficient expansion,” said Eric Walczykowski, Bespoke CEO.

“Fintech companies poised for that next exciting stage of growth, our data-driven search process and market-best networks means we can consistently deliver executives who will execute the right strategies and generate substantial value.”

Daniel Zhang and Peter Lawrence, Senior Research Analysts tracking the fintech market for Bespoke, said, “The fintech sector is dynamic and ever changing. Right now, we are seeing tremendous growth in subsectors like blockchain, as well as a large diversity in end users. The technology our clients create is amplifying the operational capacity for large international banks making billion-dollar transactions down to payroll software being used by a family-owned business. With Bespoke’s depth of experience in fintech, we’ve had the privilege of running searches across every scale of business and vertical application.”

To date, Bespoke’s 90 placed fintech executives have created roughly $20 billion in enterprise value for private equity portfolio companies. Placements have spanned every executive function and Bespoke’s client NPS from this segment is a near perfect 9.6 out of 10.

In addition, the new sector coverage will highlight Bespoke’s leadership talent that can help established software and SaaS companies adopt fintech tools and processes to streamline operations and increase efficiencies while driving growth. Learn more: Financial Technology Leaders – Bespoke Partners FinTech Leader Recruiting

About Bespoke Partners

Bespoke Partners is the largest firm focused exclusively on executive recruiting and leadership advisory services for software and SaaS companies in the United States.

Bespoke-placed executives have orchestrated exits and more than 425 acquisitions by their companies, totaling more than $135 billion in value.

The firm is the leadership talent partner of choice for public, private, private equity and venture backed software companies. Bespoke has recruited more than 1,000 top-performing leaders into private equity portfolio companies, including CEOs, CFOs, CROs, CMOs, CPOs, CTOs, CIOs, CHROs, Board Members, Operating Partners, Vice Presidents and many more.

Bespoke’s unique, data-driven services complete searches in typically half the industry average time with a 95% placement success rate. The firm’s unique methodology identifies leaders who will accelerate growth and cuts the risk of C-suite mis-hiring.

Learn more at www.bespokepartners.com.

Contacts

Dominique Lombardo
dominique.lombardo@bespokepartners.com

Bespoke Partners Welcomes New Partner in Go-to-Market Recruiting Practice

by Bespoke Partners | Jul 15, 2024 | Press

Bespoke Partners Welcomes New Partner in Go-to-Market Recruiting Practice

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Bespoke Partners, the largest retained executive search and leadership advisory service firm for software companies, today announced that Peterson Loftin has joined the firm as a Partner in its Go-to-Market (GTM) Practice.

Peterson joins Bespoke Partners after a decade focused on private equity executive recruiting. He is a seasoned leadership consultant with an exceptional track record of enhancing team leadership and business outcomes for portfolio companies.
Previously, he spent over three years as a partner with True Search, leading Go-to-Market searches for private equity and growth equity-backed B2B software and technology companies.

Prior to True Search, Peterson was a Managing Director at ECA Partners, specializing in executive search placements for private equity firms and their portfolio companies.

Before transitioning to executive search, Peterson worked in sales and business development for several VC-backed software businesses in Los Angeles.
“Peterson’s expertise in identifying elite GTM talent is of the utmost value, especially in this market where the private equity world has exits front of mind” said Eric Walczykowski, CEO of Bespoke Partners. “With his vast network and keen intuition, we are confident he will excel in enhancing our clients’ GTM teams and accelerate their growth.”

Tess Fischer, Partner and leader of Bespoke Partners’ GTM Practice, said, “Right now in software and SaaS, GTM leadership is critical to achieving revenue and profit goals. Peterson’s extensive marketing and sales network and private equity expertise make him a standout leader in the space, further fortifying Bespoke as the premier choice for GTM executive search.”

Peterson expressed his sentiments on joining the Bespoke team: “I am thrilled to join Bespoke Partners and help the firm continue its impressive growth trajectory. Bespoke’s reputation and track record within private equity-backed software is unmatched, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to join the remarkable team here. I look forward to partnering with our exceptional clients and helping them solve their critical Go-to-Market leadership hires.”

About Bespoke Partners

Bespoke Partners is the largest firm focused exclusively on executive recruiting and leadership advisory services for software and SaaS companies in the United States.

Bespoke-placed executives have orchestrated exits and more than 425 acquisitions by their companies, totaling more than $135 billion in value.

The firm is the leadership talent partner of choice for public, private, private equity and venture backed software companies. Bespoke has recruited more than 1,000 top-performing leaders into private equity portfolio companies, including CEOs, CFOs, CROs, CMOs, CPOs, CTOs, CIOs, CHROs, Board Members, Operating Partners, Vice Presidents and many more.

Bespoke’s unique, data-driven services complete searches in typically half the industry average time with a 95% placement success rate. The firm’s unique methodology identifies leaders who will accelerate growth and cuts the risk of C-suite mis-hiring.

Learn more at www.bespokepartners.com.

Contacts

Dominique Lombardo
dominique.lombardo@bespokepartners.com

Bespoke Partners Achieves Record Commercial Results, Launches Alliances Program and Leader Community to Boost Value Creation for Clients

by Bespoke Partners | May 7, 2024 | Press

Bespoke Partners Achieves Record Commercial Results, Launches Alliances Program and Leader Community to Boost Value Creation for Clients

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Bespoke Partners, the largest retained executive search and leadership advisory service firm for software companies, today announced commercial performance in the first quarter that exceeded all targets and the launch of its private equity-focused Alliances Program and the Bespoke Leader Community.

Bespoke’s outperformance included winning a record number of searches to recruit executives in software and SaaS companies with private equity sponsors, bucking the industry trend.

“Deal flow is a chief driver of executive searches in companies backed by private equity. Even though deal flow remains depressed, we handily beat all our commercial targets in first quarter and are on the path to another record year,” said Eric Walczykowski, Bespoke CEO.

“The reason we are succeeding is simple. We are true partners to our clients and the only firm that understands talent’s impact on value creation across all functional areas and market segments.”

Underscoring its commitment to private equity clients, Bespoke launched its Alliances Program in the first quarter to curate content and services from select third-party firms that are proven to boost growth and profitability in portfolio companies.

“Our success is based on the performance of the executives we place and the clock starts ticking the moment a deal closes,” said Adelaide Maffey, Bespoke’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. “Value creation needs to start immediately to put the portfolio company on the path to achieving an investment thesis. That’s why we partner with firms that deliver best-in-class guidance and support to senior leaders we recruit.”

Alliance partners provide plan templates, execution guides and other best practice materials covering the full range of senior leadership roles, including CEO and GMs, finance, go-to-market roles, technology leader roles, and people and talent leader roles.

Also in first quarter, Bespoke launched its Bespoke Leader Community, a peer network of senior executives the firm has placed.

“We are honored to work with the most impactful executives in the software and SaaS space,” said Morgan Kuwashima, Manager of the Bespoke Leader Community. “These are leaders who have cracked the code on value creation and have led their companies to produce outsized returns for their private equity sponsors.”

An invitation-only network of peers, the Bespoke Leader Community offers members exclusive networking opportunities and access to a curated library of resources contributed by Bespoke alliance partners. Members also receive early access to Bespoke’s talent market trend research, an essential tool for effective team build-out and talent management.

“Our job does not end at placement but continues throughout the hold period and our placed executive’s tenure,” said Matt Sommi, Senior Vice President, Private Equity Programs at Bespoke. “Both the new Alliances Program and the Leader Community provide unique, tailored resources and access to leadership best practices that increase the likelihood of success for the leaders we place.”

Bespoke continues to set records in days-to-close for searches, with numerous placements of top executives taking place in less than 60 days and NPS scores averaging above 9.5.

“Not only do our search teams close searches faster than anyone else, but our placed executives are guaranteed to be the right fit,” said Adam Boone, Bespoke’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Even when searches become challenging, our teams never ‘quiet quit’ like so many other search firms do. We structure our fees to ensure we have ‘skin in the game’ that ties our success to client success.”

Bespoke doubles down on its partnership with clients by offering guarantees on executive placements, including up to a 2-year guarantee for clients under Master Services Agreements.

“If your search firm gives you only a 6-month guarantee on placements, then you are working with someone that does not have your best interests at heart,” Boone said. “We recommend moving on to work with a firm that takes your success seriously.”

Bespoke also recently published its latest Private Equity Talent Report, providing trend and benchmarking data on executive compensation, leadership turnover and exit readiness. Copies are available at: www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

About Bespoke Partners

Bespoke Partners is the largest firm focused exclusively on executive recruiting and leadership advisory services for software and SaaS companies in the United States.

Bespoke-placed executives have orchestrated exits and more than 425 acquisitions by their companies, totaling more than $135 billion in value.

The firm is the leadership talent partner of choice for public, private, private equity and venture backed software companies. Bespoke has recruited more than 1,000 top-performing leaders into private equity portfolio companies, including CEOs, CFOs, CROs, CMOs, CPOs, CTOs, CIOs, CHROs, Board Members, Operating Partners, Vice Presidents and many more.

Bespoke’s unique, data-driven services complete searches in typically half the industry average time with a 95% placement success rate. The firm’s unique methodology identifies leaders who will accelerate growth and cuts the risk of C-suite mis-hiring.

Learn more at www.bespokepartners.com.

Contacts

Dominique Lombardo
dominique.lombardo@bespokepartners.com