Interim Executives - a role model for private equity? (PDF)

The 'take away' of this booklet is that the utilization of Interim Executives in private equity - beyond bridging 'CXO' positions - relates positively and negatively to the 'context of the PE firm' in terms of size of funds, active or passive engagement, culture and operating model. Moreover, results illustrate that the utilization and successful deployment of the Interim Executive role in PE relates positively to the importance of value creation programs and the existence of special 'competencies' and very often a 'complementary' skillset of the Interim Executive. Likewise the utilization and duration of Interim Executive deployment in PE relates positively to the individual 'context of the portfolio company' and the potential 'role' coverage of the Interim Executive in terms of process stage, deal complexity and the intensity of the portfolio company situation. The role model of an Interim Executive is not limited to bridging executive management positions but, in a lot of instances, fits to PE value creation programs alongside the various PE process stages. Even if PE is already deploying in-house operating partners, it still appears to be very much a 'complementary' role model for PE. This booklet serves private equity representatives, portfolio company management and advisory boards as well as the Interim Executive profession as a best practice guide for a relatively new and flexible management tool by 'doing more with less' resources in supporting performance improvement and value creation programs in PE portfolio companies. - 'An outstanding primer for any executive fireman engagement in private equity. ... Must read.' Ryan Connolly - Marlin Equity Partners

Dr. Jürgen Bruns is one of the leading interim management experts and practitioners in Germany with several publications in this field and by running successfully his own CFO/CRO interim executive practice. He has more than 20 years financial management experience in domestic and international operations. Noted for his comprehensive execution skills in both high-growth and distressed environments, he has held permanent and interim CFO / CRO positions in private equity, family office and stock listed corporation backed portfolio companies in the ITC, automotive, chemical/pharma, food and renewable energy industry in the well-known German Mittelstand (mid cap companies). Before he focused on the implementation of performance improvements and restructurings in portfolio companies as CFO / CRO, he was a director at Alvarez & Marsal and manager at PWC doing tax, audit, corporate finance and restructuring type of work. Jürgen is an accounting & tax professional (German Ministry of Finance) and holds a degree in business administration from the University of Paderborn and post-graduate studies at the partner Universities in Nottingham / United Kingdom and Tallinn / Estonia where he earned a PhD within an international doctoral business administration study program. He speaks fluent English and is conversational in other languages, which he acquired throughout his international career. Jürgen is the founder and managing partner of Mittelstand I Partners which is a boutique 'interim executive' management & advisory firm for the German Mittelstand backed by private equity and family offices, focusing on later stage participations in all forms of succession (Corporate take-overs, spin-offs, carve outs, MBIs/MBO/OBO etc.) in the D-A-CH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Leadership with a clear focus on execution combined with an entrepreneurial fee and co-investment approach in special situations make Mittelstand I Partners service offerings unique to others.