August 2020

Michael Korzinstone – Cinven

Michael has 13 years' experience in IT private equity investment, and is currently responsible for Technology, Media and Telecom (TMT) sector investing in the Americas for Cinven, a 30+ year veteran PE firm with a particular buy-and-build focus. Headquartered in London, Cinven has a track record of success in the United States including the successful IPOs of Medpace and Avolon as well as investments into leading software companies like Amadeus and Jaggaer. Michael describes everything from Cinven's investment considerations to exit philosophies, describing what owner-operators can do to position themselves for a successful transaction -- from ensuring a strong culture...

February 2020

Richard Erickson

The latest issue of Executive Perspective features Richard Erickson, the managing director and co-founder of Lightview Capital. Mr. Erickson has 30+ years of combined operating and investment experience in the technology segment. Prior to Lightview, he served as general partner at Updata Partner and held numerous executive roles at select private and public technology companies. He discusses how his operating experience influences Lightview's investment philosophy, what an attractive asset looks like to Lightview, and how he believes private equity will deploy funds over the coming year. Erickson also dives into the lower-middle-market and the attractiveness of the MSP space. Lightview's...

December 2019

Rich Fennessy

The latest issue of Executive Perspective features Rich Fennessy, CEO of Trace3, and third-time participant in martinwolf's Executive Perspective (he was featured with Kudelski Security and FishNet Security). Rich Fennessy has a proven track record as the CEO of numerous leading international IT businesses over the last 30+ years. In this issue, he dives into how his prior role as the CEO of Switzerland-based Kudelski Security and US-based FishNet Security differs from Trace3 and how Trace3 differentiates itself in the crowded IT marketplace. He discusses his transition to CEO at Trace3 and how he expects to move the company forward by introducing new solution...

November 2019

Tim McGrath

The latest issue of Executive Perspective features Tim McGrath, CEO of Connection, a publicly-traded IT distribution company. McGrath has served as president and CEO of Connection for the last eight years. Throughout his tenure he has facilitated substantial growth in the company. In this Executive Perspective, McGrath discusses his journey as CEO and what has allowed Connection to prosper through new technological advances and challenges. He analyzes the trend in consolidation activity among solution providers, how this is driving the industry, and how Connection used its acquisition of GlobalServe in 2016 to compete globally. He closes the interview with his...

August 2019

Graeme Watt

The latest issue of Executive Perspective features Graeme Watt, CEO of Softcat, a UK-based IT reseller and FTSE 250 listed company. Watt joined Softcat as CEO last year after previous CEO Martin Hellawell moved to chairman of Softcat. Under Watt's leadership, Softcat has achieved impressive growth. In this interview, Watt discusses the unconventional career path that led him to the IT industry, his 30-year background in IT distribution and the transition from a distributor to a reseller-based IT business. He touches on how Brexit may impact Softcat and the industry as a whole, along with what he believes are the biggest trends...

June 2019

John Bates

The latest issue of Executive Perspective features John Bates, Partner and Founder of Potomac Equity Partners, an investment management firm based in Washington D.C. Bates shares how his background in M&A influenced the company vision when founding Potomac Equity, and how that led him to source and build value through numerous strategic investments in IT companies over the past 25+ years. He also shares Potomac's differentiated business model, including its funding sources, view on board control, its light leverage model and the process behind one of Potomac's most valuable transactions.