OC&C Strategy Consultants

We’re very pleased to congratulate Ultimate Performance on their investment from Inflexion. We supported Ultimate Performance with vendor due diligence. Founded in 2009, Ultimate Performance delivers outstanding personalised training and nutrition programmes and seeks to support clients in making significant lifestyle changes. Inflexion invests in high-growth, entrepreneurial businesses through its flexible approach, which allows it to back both majority and minority investments. Read more about this deal here: https://bit.ly/4bmgjQd For more information on this deal and our expertise, contact Alex B., Tim Cook or email privateequity@occstrategy.com #PrivateEquity #Leisure

OC&C members and alumni were shocked to hear the news that Alex Fortescue, had unexpectedly passed away last week. Alex began his career with OC&C in 1990 shortly after our firm was founded. Over the following decade, he did much to set a level of expectation for the quality of work that OC&C should always aim for, and was part of a key first generation who established the OC&C culture of project excellence. He was always fun to be around, always positive, always pushing for “what’s next” … his drive was inspirational and his energy seemed boundless. His colleagues from that era got a huge amount out of working with him and many became long-term friends. In 1999 Alex left OC&C to join Apax Partners, and subsequently had a highly successful career in private equity culminating in becoming the Managing Partner of Epiris. As a key OC&C alumni member and regular client, he was always supportive towards OC&C, and rightly challenging us always to do our best thinking. He was an inspirational colleague, a great client and a firm friend of OC&C. All those who had the privilege of knowing Alex whilst he was at OC&C (both alumni and lifers) have been deeply shocked and saddened at hearing this news. It is a testament to Alex’s character that he has left such a significant mark on all those who had the pleasure of working with him. We send our sincere condolences to Alison, his wider family and many friends. From all of us at OC&C Strategy Consultants.

We’re delighted to have won the ‘Pro Bono Company Of The Year’ award in the Better Society News Awards, for our work with the NSPCC. We love that our time and skills have supported their commercial approaches, helping raise more money and reach more people within their work. Ultimately, we’ve helped make a positive impact on children’s lives - for this, we’re incredibly proud! Read more about the event here: https://bit.ly/4bThqqB

The Learning and Development (L&D) industry is evolving rapidly, driven by a widening skills gap, advancements in AI and new corporate learning environments. As competition intensifies, L&D providers are innovating with new models to balance cost-effectiveness and adaptability. In our new piece of thought leadership Training Transformed – The Skills Gap, AI and the New Corporate Classroom, we surveyed 600 L&D buyers across the UK and the US to understand their views on the future of corporate training, the evolving needs of L&D departments, and how L&D providers need to adapt. Download the report here: https://bit.ly/4dJX6cZ Connect with our experts Pedro Sanches, Carl Evander, Edward Plummer, Tom Jackson or email privateequity@occstrategy.com #LearningAndDevelopment #PrivateEquity #Education #AI

Today is IDAHOBIT – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.   Established in 2004, the day is intended to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ rights violations across the world, drawing attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people, and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to mark the WHO’s declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1990. This year’s theme is “No One Left Behind”, striving to uplift and support all gender and sexual minorities and highlight the common experiences and challenges across the community.   At OC&C, we aim to maintain an environment where all employees and clients are welcomed and empowered to succeed, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We are proud to support and celebrate all identities within the LGBTQ+ community – today and every day.   Find our more about our global network here: https://lnkd.in/efNp5rEw

Catch Bob Chermin's and Duncan Simmonds insight session, 'The DIY Industry - A View from the Bridge', at this year's Global DIY-Summit in Rome!

We're pleased to congratulate Alto Partners SGR S.p.A. through the fund Alto Capital V, on acquiring the majority of Fragesa Srl, which manages the pizza restaurant chain Fradiavolo Pizzeria. We provided buy-side support to Alto Partners. Founded in 2018, Fra Diavolo currently manages 24 direct restaurants across the main Italian provinces and will be launching into new global markets with a space in Miami. With increasing their number of stores and access for customers, Fra Diavolo has seen increased revenue. Read more about this deal here: https://bit.ly/3wzsEl0 For more information on our expertise contact Alberto Regazzo, Marco Costaguta or email privateequity@occstrategy.com #PrivateEquity #Hospitality

Next week our Global Head of PE, Tom Gladstone, will be attending Europe’s largest event dedicated to operating partners; Private Equity International's Operating Partners Forum Europe. Alongside Philip Carrivick, Jawad Bhatti and Lewis Bantin, Tom will facilitate the conversation on strategies for success when navigating the commercial private equity value creation journey. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear investor preferences in asset selection and their implications for businesses seeking exit opportunities, an examination of what ‘good’ looks like throughout the value creation journey and key milestones, indicators of success and pitfalls to avoid at each stage. You can find out more about our Private Equity experience at occstrategy.com #privateequity #valuecreation

Embedded Finance is a real and sizeable opportunity for SaaS ERP and payroll providers. Our research suggests a significant 20-30% EBITDA uplift over 2-3 years, with a much larger opportunity down the line.  With seamless API integration and full control of the user journey, SaaS providers can offer valuable financial services while owning the customer relationship. We believe now is the time to act – with multiple routes to unlocking this opportunity available to SaaS providers – including via partnerships with a widening set of new generation enablers of financial services. These can significantly reduce the regulatory burden and the need for in-house fintech capabilities. Explore our latest insights to learn more about how to tap into this exciting opportunity here: https://bit.ly/3yhgFZL Contact our experts Justin Walters, James McGibney, Andrea Delconti or email privateequity@occstrategy.com if you would like to discuss further. #EmbeddedFinance #PrivateEquity #FinancialServices

We’re very excited to be attending and sponsoring Private Equity Insights in Warsaw next week. Bartek Krawczyk, Partner at OC&C, will be sitting on a panel alongside Tatiana Balkovicova, Piotr Sadowski, CFA, Michal Gorecki and Marek Rodak discussing the best sectors for private equity deals in 2024. PE Insights is the world's leading private equity community where attendees can access informed insights, credible news and access influential networks. We hope to see many of you there. You can find out more about our Private Equity experience at occstrategy.com #PrivateEquity #Deals #Poland #CentralEasternEurope