🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast – Essentials for Investors with Matthew Kearney

This episode is packed with pragmatic advice and “growth hacks for operators” – get your pen ready.

⏱️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps:

00:03 – Introduction
Meet Matthew Kearney: 35 years in private equity, from 3i to operating partner and PE-backed CEO.

01:07 – From 3i to New York CEO
Matthew’s early career, moving from UK PE investments into operational leadership in media and technology.

02:31 – Common PE Mistakes
Why thinking “buying right” is outdated and why zombie portfolios exist. The importance of adding value post-investment.

04:56 – Speed Matters
Why hitting the ground running with a viable plan is critical – and where many PE firms still fail.

05:23 – The Need for Differentiation
You can’t differentiate on capital anymore. Matthew explains the need for pre-planned specialization and strategy.

07:21 – The Case for Specialism
Why generic approaches fail in auction processes. Success lies in preparedness and knowing your niche.

09:27 – Private Equity’s Evolution
From generalists to specialists, and from deal teams to fully professionalized operations functions.

11:24 – Pick Your Spots
The strategic importance of check size, deal type, and industry vertical – especially for smaller funds.

12:47 – Talent Strategy
When to insource, when to outsource. The balance between internal teams and external experts.

13:42 – Reducing Direct Reports
Why Matthew cut down his direct reports from double digits to five – and how he structured high-performance teams.

18:38 – NASA-Level Team Building
Using High-Performance Team models (inspired by NASA) to fast-track team effectiveness and reduce storming time.

20:06 – Grata Partnership Promo

20:35 – Lessons from Three Exits
Matthew shares what made his billion-dollar exits successful, from growth-first mentality to choosing the right M&A advisor.

23:27 – Beware of Price Promises
Red flag: advisors promising high valuations without understanding your business. Chemistry and early engagement are key.

24:31 – Staying the Course Through Uncertainty
Avoiding plan deviation in volatile markets. Why good governance, transparency, and dialogue are essential.

26:46 – The Decision to Pause a Sale
How Matthew and his board paused a 2021 sale due to geopolitical headwinds, only to exit successfully in 2025.

28:07 – Balancing Shareholder vs. Management Perspectives
Navigating differing time horizons and objectives post-sale delay. The role of a good Chair in alignment.

29:59 – What Matthew Reads
Matthew’s go-to content: Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, The Economist (begrudgingly!), BBC, and even Daily Mail for well-researched stories.

31:55 – How to Connect with Matthew
📧 Email: matthewjkearney@gmail.com
🔤 Name spelling: Matthew (with two T’s) Kearney (K-E-A-R-N-E-Y)

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

Guest: Greg Nieuwenhuys – Private Equity Advisor, Chairman & AI Expert
Topic: Unlocking Generative AI for Private Equity & Portfolio Companies

🔹 Intro & Background (0:00 – 2:00)

• Greg shares his 20+ years in PE-backed consumer goods: Baver (Netherlands), Cotterdardoor (UK), Mammoth, Wattbike, and No-Door.
• Passion for AI began two years ago, driven by a belief that GenAI is a business and people challenge—not a tech one.

🔹 What is Generative AI? (2:00 – 6:00)

• Difference: classic AI (recommendations) vs. GenAI (creating content—text, images, plans—and interpreting documents).
• GenAI enables rapid creation of marketing, investment memos, strategic plans, and more.

🔹 Common AI Misconceptions in PE (6:00 – 11:00)

• Myth: It’s a long, expensive IT project.
• Reality: Immediate impact possible—if teams are empowered and trained.
• Greg stresses: “This is a people challenge. CEOs—not just CTOs—must lead the charge.”

🔹 High-Impact Use Cases (11:00 – 18:00)

• Customer outreach & market mapping via AI.
• Recruitment: auto-generated job specs, AI interview notes, candidate matrices.
• AI’s biggest blocker? Lack of training—people haven’t “learned to drive the car” (use GenAI effectively).

🔹 Voice Prompting & Real-Time Examples (18:00 – 25:00)

• Greg showcases how he uses voice to interact with AI—writing emails, brainstorming use cases, even in Chinese.
• Prompts done via speech save time and boost output.
• GenAI as an “intern army”—needs clear direction and oversight.

🔹 PortCo Strategy (25:00 – 32:00)

• PE-backed firms should use GenAI for growth, not just cost-cutting.
• AI can reshape customer journeys and product innovation.
• Link GenAI to value creation plans: “How can AI help us grow faster, better, cheaper?”

🔹 Private Equity Funds Must Lead Too (32:00 – 39:00)

• Many PE funds expect portfolios to adopt AI—but don’t use it themselves.
• Greg supports fund-level training: mapping investment flow to identify use cases in screening, DD, deal memos, legal, and more.
• Example: “Sales Hunt” tool for sourcing targets with AI-powered outreach.
• GenAI allows same-size teams to evaluate more deals and increase velocity—without compromising quality.

🔹 Where to Start? (39:00 – 44:00)

• Overcome fear and decision paralysis.
• AI must be part of culture—non-use should be seen as “cheating the company.”
• Build internal champions to sustain the transformation.
• Key resources:
  • Dr. Ethan Mollick’s LinkedIn & site
  • AI Daily Brief podcast
  • 11Labs’ “ElevenReader” for converting articles into listenable audio

🔹 Contact Greg (44:00 – 45:00)

• LinkedIn: @Greg Nieuwenhuys

Key Takeaways:

• AI is a culture shift, not a tech add-on.
• Empower the entire team to use GenAI in everyday work.
• Start small, build momentum, and tie AI directly to growth strategy.
• Private equity must adopt AI internally to credibly promote it in portfolio firms.

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

In this insightful episode, Nate Edgerly, CEO of Enzo Group Inc., discusses his journey from CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers to a seasoned private equity investor and executive leader in the hospitality industry. Nate shares valuable insights on leadership, long-term investing, and what makes hospitality businesses thrive or fail.

Key Takeaways:

• Nate’s journey from CPA to CEO, highlighting his pivotal experiences in private equity and operating roles.
• Lessons learned from running a business, enhancing empathy, and effectively partnering with leadership teams.
• What separates exceptional CEOs: empathy, people-focus, and creating a supportive culture.
• Common private equity mistakes: prioritizing short-term gains over long-term strategic growth and cultural investment.
• The decision behind Enzo Group's unique approach to raising capital—democratizing access beyond institutional investors.

Notable Mentions:

• Book Recommendations:
  • Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
  • Warren Buffett’s investor letters
  • Leadership insights by Simon Sinek, Daniel Pink, John Maxwell
  • Mastery by Robert Greene
• Brands Admired:
  • Ladybird Taco, Original Chop Shop, Cava, McDonald’s, Chipotle, Golden Corral

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Nate Edgley
• 02:30 – Nate’s early career and transition to private equity
• 06:10 – What Nate learned from operating roles
• 10:00 – Qualities of exceptional CEOs
• 13:15 – Mistakes private equity firms make and Nate's long-term investment philosophy
• 17:20 – Enzo Group’s unique capital-raising strategy
• 21:45 – Why choose the volatile hospitality industry?
• 27:30 – Critical success factors for restaurant businesses
• 32:00 – Brands admired by Nate and reasons behind their success
• 38:00 – Nate's insights on executive search firms
• 42:00 – Influences, recommended readings, and learning resources
• 45:20 – How to connect with Nate Edgley

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection www.raw-selection.com