As we approach the close of 2024 and prepare for the opportunities ahead in 2025, we wanted to share key insights into talent trends that we have seen when working with Private Equity backed portfolio businesses here in the UK.
At Marble Hill Partners, we understand that unlocking value in a PE-backed company hinges on exceptional leadership and that is based on robust approach to talent planning, insights and attraction. Here are the most pressing trends we’re observing:
1. A Unified Approach to Talent Planning
Prospering PE-backed businesses have a joined-up strategy that integrates talent planning across all levels—from the shop floor to the boardroom. This holistic approach ensures alignment between operational teams and leadership, understanding exactly where the skills and capabilities are, or aren’t, in the business, so you can then go and find what you need with clarity. Companies adopting this strategy are better equipped to drive performance, especially in complex, fast-changing environments.
2. The Importance of Pre-Deal Talent Assessments and Benchmarking
Understanding the capability of the existing leadership in a business pre-deal has never been more critical, especially as we are expecting an uptick in deal flow in 2025. Evidence-based insights into the true capability of a team can flag any talent gaps and give you a much better understanding of the people that come with the deal and how to benchmark them. This proactive approach not only mitigates risk but also accelerates the value creation journey by ensuring the right leaders are in place from the outset of the investment, not just only at an Executive level, but also for Chair/NED additions.
3. Incentives as a Decision Driver (as well as location)
The fallout from the pandemic forced many executives to make unexpected, distressed or “imperfect” career moves, leading to a re-evaluation of career priorities for 2025. Incentives continue to be a primary motivator for senior candidates, often outweighing other factors such as base salary. An honest and well-structured incentive plan, aligned with long-term business goals, is essential to attracting and retaining top-tier talent in an increasingly competitive market. Quickly mentioning location, we are seeing more clients requesting their next (or replacement) Exec/Senior hire is based more locally to the office, as during 21/22, many hires were made remotely and nationally, and in a lot of cases, that just sadly hasn’t worked out, mainly due to fatigue or changes to office working regimes, but especially when opportunities come forward that are on someone’s doorstep and the appeal is just too much to disregard.
How Marble Hill Partners Can Support You
As you look to create a high performing team in your business, Marble Hill Partners can be a trusted ally as an executive search firm to not only identify and introduce C-Suite and Senior roles, but also deliver proven value-added ancillary services. Here’s how we can support you in 2025 and beyond:
- Strategic Talent Planning: Having one of the largest and longest standing talent research teams in our Group, we are increasingly supporting clients with insights into where potential talent is, who employs them and our view on your ability to secure them, which in turn supports you in creating an integrated talent strategy that aligns with your business objectives and accelerate value creation.
- Evidence-Based Leadership Selection: Our rigorous pre-deal talent assessment services can provide the clarity and confidence you need to make senior leadership changes/additions, by understanding if they do in fact have the Right Mindset for the private equity investment journey.
- Incentive Structuring Expertise: We can provide bespoke market research that can support you to design compelling incentive frameworks to not only attract, but also retain exceptional leaders, ensuring alignment with long-term growth targets.
Here are some examples of recently completed assignments for Private Equity Backed businesses:
- Managing Director – Software – South East
- Chief Technology Officer – Software – Midlands
- Digital Marketing Director – SaaS – North West
- Communications Director – FinTech / Banking – London
- Managing Director – Manufacturing – Midlands
- Managing Director – Manufacturing – South West
- Director of Customer Success – Software – North
- Chief Financial Officer – Infrastructure – London
- Chief Financial Officer – FMCG – South East
- Group Sales Director – Business Services – Midlands
- Pay & Reward Executive Benchmarking – Multisite Leisure – UK wide
- CEO Succession Talent Mapping – Business Services – London
With an NPS Score of 9/10 and 91% of appointed candidates still being in the business at the point of the next exit, we have a track record of delivering high quality search services to our clients and introducing people who add genuine value to their businesses.
Here’s what one of our clients had to say:
“I have now used the Marble Hill team several times for Senior & Executive recruitment and they have delivered on time on each occasion against some difficult requirements. I have found they are particularly good at finding candidates who are more regionally based outside of London and that other head-hunters often fail to find. I find their communication is second to none and what really impresses me is the great feedback of the experience that is given by the candidates – both successful and unsuccessful – this is really important! I would highly recommend the Marble Hill team.”
CEO, PE-backed business services company
A comment from Marble Hill Partner’s Managing Director, James Boot:
“At Marble Hill Partners, we believe that exceptional talent is the cornerstone of value creation in private equity-backed businesses. The trends we’re seeing—from integrated talent planning to the focus on pay bench-marking and leadership incentives—highlight the increasing sophistication required to remain competitive. By leveraging these insights and partnering with experts who understand the nuances of talent strategy, Investors and Executive teams can bring in new leadership capability that not only meets immediate business needs but also drive long-term growth and value.
Our ability to engage with the hardest to acquire talent allows us to be flexible to your needs, whilst bringing a sense of confidence from our experiences that we can truly deliver during critical times, and find someone who will be with you during thick and thin. Our mission since 2008 has been to help Investors and Boards build and sustain high-performing leadership teams that drive exceptional results. As we look to 2025, ensuring the very best talent is in your business will maximise the potential of your investments, which we are on hand to support.”
Whether you’re looking for your next Senior or Executive Leader, or are in need of Interim Management for a period of change, then please feel free to get in touch for a confidential discussion.
You can email james.boot@marblehillpartners.com to find out more, or follow our LinkedIn page and subscribe to this newsletter here.