Zarina Ward: The Reality of the Relationship Between People and Profit

Zarina Ward: The Reality of the Relationship Between People and Profit

This was one of those conversations that really gets to the heart of what drives sustainable success in private equity-backed businesses. In this episode of Private Equity Perspectives, I sit down with Zarina Ward, a global Chief People Officer with a track record across Kantar Public, MindGym, Oliver Wyman, EY and more. We explore the reality of the relationship between people and profit and how a strong people strategy becomes a genuine value creation lever rather than just a support function. What You’ll Discover - How People Strategy Directly Drives EBITDA: The two key levers CPOs can pull - optimising the bottom line through better org design and accelerating top-line growth through talent, technology and velocity. - Building Trust and Credibility Fast in a PE Environment: Why quick wins, transparent communication and walking the talk are essential when building relationships with investors and boards. - The Talent Engine That Actually Delivers for Exit: What really matters in hiring, retention, reward, succession planning and creating psychological safety - especially through economic cycles and across generations. In a world of pressure for speed and results, the best people strategies aren’t soft - they’re about creating trust, empowerment, and smart trade-offs that build both performance today and longevity for exit. The conversation also highlights the ongoing tensions around hybrid working, performance conversations, and balancing short-term delivery with long-term cultural health. Whether you’re a CEO, CPO, investor or operator in the PE space, this episode offers practical insight into how to make people strategy one of your sharpest competitive advantages. Episode Resources Zarina Ward - LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zarinaward/] The Right Mindset [https://marblehillpartners.com/trm/] Private Equity Perspectives is brought to you by James Boot, Managing Director of Marble Hill Partners, a talent and executive search partner to private equity backed businesses in the UK and is produced by Urban Podcasts [https://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].

Andy Dunkley: The Operator’s Guide to Surviving PE

Private equity is often talked about in terms of growth, investment and opportunity. But anyone who’s actually worked inside a PE-backed business knows there’s another side to the story. In this episode of Private Equity Perspectives, I sit down with a seasoned operator who has lived through the full private equity journey, from CFO in corporate America to CEO roles and operating partner positions inside private equity firms. We unpack the realities of running a PE-backed business and why the phrase “there’s no such thing as free money” rings true for leaders navigating this environment. What You’ll Discover - The Reality Behind Private Equity Capital: Why funding may unlock growth opportunities, but it also brings intense expectations, scrutiny and pressure to deliver results fast. - From Corporate CFO to PE CEO: The leadership shift required when moving from large corporates into private equity-backed businesses where speed, transformation and accountability are everything. - What It Really Takes to Deliver Value: Why success in private equity depends on clear execution, disciplined planning and leadership teams who can turn ambitious investment plans into operational reality. What struck me most in this conversation is just how different the environment can feel once private equity enters the picture. The capital might accelerate the journey, but the expectations rise just as quickly. For leaders stepping into that world, understanding those pressures early can make all the difference. Private Equity Perspectives is brought to you by James Boot, Managing Director of Marble Hill Partners, a talent and executive search partner to private equity backed businesses in the UK and is produced by Urban Podcasts [https://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].

Paula Brockwell: Culture Is the Value Lever

I most enjoy conversations that go beyond the usual strategy and dig into the human side of leading a Private Equity backed business, and this one with Paula Brockwell does exactly that. In our very first episode of Private Equity Perspectives, I sat down with Paula, a psychologist with over 20 years in cultural transformation, who worked with us many years ago to form our Right Mindset Research. We explore the emotional toll that comes with decision making and why so many leaders feel like they're "making things work" instead of letting them flow, and how to build organisations where people thrive without burning out. What We Explore - The Hidden Toll: Why leaders often carry the weight of ambiguity, human complexity, and tough calls and how to share it without dropping the ball. - From "Making It Work" to "Letting It Flow": Paula's take on shifting from force-fitting solutions to creating space where things naturally align. - Building Human-Centred Organisations: Practical ways to weave empathy, vulnerability, and real connection into your team - because strategy without heart doesn't last. Paula's insights are a quiet reminder that great leadership isn't about having all the answers - it's about holding the space for better questions. If you're feeling the weight of it all, this episode might just lighten the load. Episode Resources Employee Experience Assessment Tool [https://the-employee-experience-5f5ydtx5.scoreapp.com/] White Paper - Harnessing Culture for Performance [https://theexproject.com/harnessing-culture-for-performance] Private Equity Perspectives is brought to you by James Boot, Managing Director of Marble Hill Partners, a talent and executive search partner to private equity backed businesses in the UK and is produced by Urban Podcasts [https://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].