Value Creation Trailblazers: The Interviews 2026

AI has become a permanent fixture of private equity value creation conversations. Yet despite the investment, excitement, and endless stream of pilots, many firms are still struggling to answer the question that matters most: Where is the EBITDA impact?

According to Xavier Vallée, Chief Technology & AI Officer at Tour Partner Group, the problem isn't AI itself. It's that too many organisations are funding initiatives that are interesting rather than investable.

In this exclusive interview, Xavier shares a practical framework for identifying AI opportunities that actually move the P&L. From automating decision-making and redesigning workflows to building the data foundations required for scale, he explains why the firms creating real value are focusing less on technology adoption and more on business outcomes.

Download the interview to learn:

• Why many AI initiatives fail to deliver measurable EBITDA impact, and the common mistakes that destroy ROI
• How leading organisations are using AI to automate decisions, improve commercial performance, and unlock operational efficiencies
• What PE firms must do to connect AI initiatives directly to revenue growth, margin expansion, and enterprise value creation

The companies creating value from AI are not the ones adopting it fastest. They're the ones connecting it to value fastest. Download the interview now and discover how leading PE-backed businesses are turning AI investment into measurable EBITDA growth.

In 2026, success comes down to one critical question: how can you actually build a better business?

In this exclusive interview, Dr. Marc Bielitza, Partner at Deutsche Private Equity (DPE), and Markus Spitzer of CirQono share how leading firms are translating strategy into measurable EBITDA growth through sharper commercial execution, operational discipline, pricing optimisation, and AI-enabled decision-making.

This interview moves beyond theory to address the realities PE leaders and management teams face every day: margin pressure, operational complexity, leadership alignment, fragmented growth initiatives, and embedding value creation into day-to-day execution.

Download the interview to learn:

• How leading PE firms are improving EBITDA through pricing discipline, operational productivity, and stronger cash conversion, without major capex
• Why many AI initiatives fail to deliver economic impact, and how to embed AI into workflows that genuinely improve margin and performance
• How firms are aligning operations, governance, KPIs, and leadership teams so the equity story is built month by month, not written retrospectively

In today's market, value creation is no longer about ambition alone. It is about execution, accountability, and turning operational discipline into measurable returns. Download the interview now to learn how PE leaders are building stronger, more resilient businesses in 2026 and beyond.

AI may be dominating boardroom conversations and budgets, but according to Will Harman, CEO and Founder of Trusted Value Creation, the firms generating sustainable returns in 2026 are the ones staying focused on the fundamentals: operational discipline, margin visibility, negotiation capability, and execution.

In this exclusive interview, Will provides a candid look at where firms are still getting it wrong and what differentiates those that consistently outperform. The interview also tackles one of the industry's biggest challenges today: separating AI use cases that genuinely improve revenue and margins from those that simply create more complexity and cost.

Download the interview to learn:

• How PE firms can unlock EBITDA growth through operational levers like contract analytics, negotiation capability, and cross-functional optimisation
• Why many AI initiatives fail to deliver measurable returns and where AI is actually creating operational value
• How leading firms are identifying hidden operational risks, reducing margin leakage, and embedding scalable value creation across portfolios

In a market shaped by tighter multiples, inflationary pressure, supply shocks, and increasing LP scrutiny, operational execution has never mattered more. Download the interview now to discover the practical strategies PE leaders are using to drive value creation in 2026 and beyond.

Forget portfolio-wide frameworks or rigid playbooks. For Victor Vadaneaux, Interim CEO, real value creation is done one company at a time, through listening, adapting, and aligning deeply with management.

In this exclusive interview, Victor shares why the first 100 days are for verifying (not clinging to) the investment thesis, why post-deal leadership assessments are critical, and why you’ve already lost if management doesn’t embrace the Ops team willingly.

Download to learn more about:

• Why “portfolio-wide” playbooks often leave money on the table
• How to identify real post-deal leadership capability and gaps
• Why humility and realism are the foundations of a “bulletproof” strategy

This is a playbook for operators who know there is no playbook, and who believe in humility, bold adjustments, and alignment over force.

In a candid conversation, François Candelon, Partner Value Creation at Seven2, shares how his 30 years at BCG shaped a systematic yet customised approach to value creation. He explains why the fundamentals are non-negotiable, how aligning early on the “exit animal” transforms outcomes, and why AI will define winners and losers in private equity over the next decade. For operating partners, deal teams, and portfolio executives, this interview offers a clear roadmap for balancing structure with speed and ambition with execution.

For operating partners, deal teams, and portfolio executives, this interview offers a clear roadmap for balancing structure with speed and ambition with execution.

Download to Learn:

• How to lock in strategic alignment in the first 100 days to accelerate value creation
• Why AI should focus on “hunting elephants” (transformational opportunities) rather than scattered use cases
• How governance, leadership, and rapid response systems act as a portfolio’s life insurance policy

For deal teams and operating partners, his message is clear: value creation today is about speed, scale, and boldness.

What does it Really Take to Create Value in Today’s Private Equity Environment?

Forget the generic playbooks. In a world of rising capital costs, prolonged holding periods, and organisational overload, Matteo Siani, Operating Partner at Three Hills Capital Partners, shares what actually moves the needle when it comes to private equity value creation.

In this insight-packed interview, Matteo reveals how his team is rethinking everything, from due diligence to AI, talent strategy to operating model design, to drive real, durable outcomes across the portfolio.

Download to learn more about:

• The First 100 Days: What PE Gets Wrong and How to Fix It: Discover why the real risk isn’t in the strategy, it’s in the org chart. Learn how early leadership assessments and structural realignment can make or break long-term value.
• AI, Finally Delivering: Move beyond buzzwords. Get practical, high-impact examples of how AI is driving tangible results, from finance automation to sales enablement and pricing optimisation.
• Building the Right Team (and Avoiding the Wrong One): Learn how Three Hills is structuring its value creation team for flexibility and scale, and why your model should depend on fund size, strategy, and execution risk.

Whether you’re rethinking your first 100 days or rebuilding your operating model, this interview is essential reading.

In a market defined by volatility and complexity, Private Equity firms must rethink traditional value creation levers. This exclusive interview with Jake Breen, Chief Transformation Officer at Theramex, explores how forward-thinking PE leaders are redefining transformation strategies across portfolio companies.

Download to learn more about:

• What most funds miss in the first 100 days of ownership—and how to avoid those pitfalls
• How to build a balanced, agile, and accountable value creation team—from internal talent to consultants
• What makes a value creation strategy resilient in today’s economic and geopolitical uncertainty

This is your opportunity to tap into the transformation strategy of a seasoned C-suite leader driving sustainable growth in one of Europe’s leading health platforms. This interview is a must-read for any value creation leader looking to sharpen their playbook ahead of the Value Creation for Private Equity 2025 conference.

What happens when your hold period stretches, the big transformation budget is gone, and the value creation plan (VCP) no longer matches the moment?

In this exclusive interview, Peter Bancroft, Chief Transformation Officer, Rubix, unpacks how he’s navigating prolonged ownership cycles, embedding tech-enabled behavioural change, and ensuring that talent, not just strategy, delivers results.

Download the interview to learn more about:

• How to avoid “brittle” value creation plans by embedding real-time feedback loops that keep your strategy aligned with internal and market shifts
• Why overlooking the wider leadership team—beyond the C-suite—is one of the most common mistakes in the first 100 days of ownership
• How AI is evolving from analytics to coaching, with new tools helping managers drive behavioural change at scale across sales and operations

Whether you're an operating partner or portfolio exec, Bancroft offers the sharp, real-world insight needed to drive results in today’s high-pressure environment.

In today’s high-cost, high-pressure private equity environment, traditional value creation strategies are no longer enough. Financial engineering alone won’t cut it. To build resilient, high-performing portfolio companies, GPs must now lead with operational precision, commercial clarity, and cultural strength.

In this exclusive interview, Victor Răcariu, Operating Partner at Mozaik Investments, shares a bold and refreshingly practical perspective on what it takes to create real, lasting value in today’s market. From the critical first 100 days of ownership to the underutilised power of team design and leadership culture, Victor offers a masterclass in modern value creation.

Whether you're an operating partner, portfolio executive, or transformation leader, this is essential reading for anyone serious about driving performance and resilience in uncertain times.