The Barton Partnership | B Corp™

Last week, The Barton Partnership brought together a group of senior women across Private Equity in New York for a roundtable exploring leadership, talent and the growing influence of AI across the industry. The discussion explored how AI is moving beyond experimentation and beginning to shape day-to-day decision-making, productivity and cross-portfolio visibility. A clear theme emerged around the need to embed AI into core business processes, rather than treating it as a standalone tool, alongside the leadership challenge of driving adoption with the right balance of focus, governance and accountability. The realities of building a long-term career as a woman in Private Equity were also a key focus, spanning sponsorship, mentorship and visibility, as well as the importance of staying in the game. Flexibility, family and navigating senior leadership alongside personal priorities were also discussed. The group also reflected on how talent models may evolve as AI becomes more embedded within firms and portfolio companies, from shifting capability requirements to how teams are structured, developed and supported. Thank you to everyone who joined us. To receive a summary of the key insights and stay updated on future events, please reach out to Melissa Chester, Gloria Davey or Marina Mason.

Yesterday, we brought colleagues together to mark International Women's Month with a panel discussion focused on experience, perspective and progress across our business.   Led by Joy Burnford, Founder of Encompass Equality, the session created space for a candid and thoughtful conversation. The discussion explored career journeys, the realities of progression, and the importance of visibility, sponsorship and support at different stages.   Thank you to our panel - Emma Hughes, Luckcika Vijayacumaran, Renée Ishaku🎗 , Julie Hill, everyone who contributed to the discussion, our Women’s Network for driving the agenda, and the allies across the business who continue to support and champion this work.

Independent consulting is often brought in to accelerate execution. But many engagements stall before the work even starts. Not because of capability or intent, but because the hiring process is designed to reduce risk rather than drive outcomes. This piece explores the trap that quietly undermines independent consulting engagements and what leaders can do differently. Read the full article by SVP BJ Clinton here: https://lnkd.in/eD5yXeix #IndependentConsulting #PrivateEquity #Leadership #Execution

Chief Transformation Officers are becoming central to value creation as private equity shifts into a more operational, performance-driven phase, with firms placing greater emphasis on execution against the investment thesis. As returns move beyond financial engineering, this reflects a broader change in how value is created, and where performance is won or lost.   In this episode of Spotlight On, Nicholas Barton is joined by Bain & Company’s Emilio Domingo, Chief Commercial Officer, EMEA Private Equity, to explore how these shifts are playing out across the market. While headline figures point to a recovery driven by rising deal values and a resurgence in activity, the underlying picture is more nuanced.   Growth is increasingly concentrated in a small number of megadeals, with deal volumes down and many assets held for longer. With overhang building across portfolios and fundraising remaining more constrained, the pressure on funds to deliver returns through value creation, rather than dealmaking, is intensifying.   Emilio shares what this means in practice, from the reality behind the “K-shaped” recovery to the implications for exits, leadership, and portfolio performance.   He also unpacks: - The “12 is the new five” EBITDA standard - The rise of continuation vehicles and longer hold periods - Where AI is delivering tangible impact across portfolio companies - A roadmap for executives entering the PE space, from sponsor selection to the “strategy on a page” test Watch here: https://lnkd.in/eEWgGkwQ For audio, listen here: Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ePP_VMn7 Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/egzu7zbu

We’re excited to welcome Marty O'Doherty and Purab Parikh to The Barton Partnership, marking the opening of our Toronto office and a further step in building our North American CEO and board hiring capability.   Both bring deep experience supporting private equity investors, family offices and portfolio companies on leadership decisions tied directly to value creation.   As hold periods extend and expectations on performance increase, leadership impact is becoming more material across the investment lifecycle. These appointments strengthen how we support clients at those critical moments, reinforcing our position as the first call for people driving value creation, strategy and transformation worldwide.   Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/ekCvvjc9   #PrivateEquity #ExecutiveSearch #Leadership #ValueCreation.

  Last week, The Barton Partnership partnered with EY to host a breakfast roundtable at the RAC in London, bringing together a group of Chairs and Non-Executive Directors to discuss the economic and political outlook.   The conversation focused on the evolving policy landscape and its implications for private equity and UK businesses, as well as how boards are navigating an increasingly complex operating environment. Attendees shared perspectives on risk, governance and the shifting expectations placed on leadership teams.   A particular thank you to Tim Hames and Peter Arnold for helping to shape such a thoughtful and engaging discussion.   #PrivateEquity #BoardLeadership #EconomicOutlook

When it comes to talent, leadership conversations tend to focus on early careers and the C-suite. The real pressure point, however, sits in between. When managers and principals see limited progression, organizations do not just lose people. They lose continuity, institutional knowledge and future leaders who already understand how the business actually runs. This piece explores why neglecting the squeezed middle is quietly breaking leadership pipelines and why boards should be paying closer attention. Read the full article by EVP Michael Doud here: https://lnkd.in/ey52a95r #Leadership #ExecutiveSearch #TalentStrategy #SuccessionPlanning

Joining us on Spotlight On, Emilio Domingo, Chief Commercial Officer EMEA Private Equity at Bain & Company, shares his perspective on the key themes emerging from the Bain Global Private Equity Report 2026.   The discussion examines how the market is evolving, from diverging performance across funds and increasing pressure on value creation, through to the changing role of operating teams and the growing influence of AI across dealmaking and portfolio management. It also considers what these shifts mean for leadership, particularly for executives operating within, or considering a move into, PE-backed businesses.   A timely perspective on how the economics, talent agenda and competitive landscape of private equity are continuing to evolve.   Episode dropping soon.

Pricing and monetisation are playing a more central role in value creation as consumer behaviour shifts and pricing environments become more complex.   At a recent roundtable co-hosted by The Barton Partnership and Pearson Ham Group | The Pricing Specialists, leaders from across the B2C sector discussed how pricing landscapes are changing and where value is most often created, or lost, in practice.   Key discussion points included:   Changing consumer behaviour: Consumer behaviour has become less predictable and more polarised, with clear splits between value-seeking customers and those whose spending patterns remain largely unaffected. Sector norms and pricing expectations: Pricing expectations continue to be shaped by established sector norms, with consumers becoming more aware and more sceptical as pricing sophistication increases. Price transparency and cross-border pricing: Price transparency, driven by e-commerce, has intensified comparison behaviour and exposed long-standing regional price differences that consumers increasingly question. Execution: Where value is lost: Participants agreed that pricing strategies often fail in execution rather than design, with discounting, promotions and inconsistent pack architecture eroding value. Revenue management capabilities: While organisations are moving towards more integrated revenue-management models, progress remains constrained by data quality, tooling gaps and a shortage of specialised talent. The discussion reinforced that pricing and monetisation are becoming more central to value creation, but that execution, capability and organisational alignment remain decisive.   Access the full insight here: https://lnkd.in/eHjgDBwC Reach out to Oliver Buckner for more information. #pricing #monetisation #valuecreation  

A fantastic recognition for the team at The Barton Partnership, ranking 7th in the 2025 Recruiter HOT 100. This marks our fourth consecutive year in the rankings, recognising the most efficient and high-performing recruitment businesses in the UK.   Published annually by Recruiter Magazine, the HOT 100 highlights firms that continue to deliver strong results in a competitive and evolving market.   Nicholas Barton, Founder of The Barton Partnership, commented: "To be recognised among the top 10 firms in the Recruiter HOT 100 and to rank 7th this year is a fantastic achievement for our business. Achieving this recognition for the fourth consecutive year reflects the continued dedication of our teams globally and the trust our clients and candidates place in us." Oliver Phoenix, CEO, added: "Our continued presence in the Recruiter HOT 100 reflects the strength of our specialisation and the quality of our team. We remain focused on supporting organisations with critical leadership hires across strategy, transformation, and value creation, while continuing to invest in the capabilities that enable us to deliver for our clients globally."   Thank you to our global team, clients and candidates and independent consultants for your continued partnership and support.   View the full rankings here: https://lnkd.in/ec8KZTwK