The Barton Partnership | B Corp™

It's a pleasure to welcome Kwasi Adomakoh to The Barton Partnership! Focusing on private equity-backed portfolio companies, Kwasi brings a strong track record of working with leading global investors. He carries over 10 years of experience placing senior finance leaders, including CFOs, Heads of FP&A, Group Controllers, and Heads of Treasury & Tax. Kwasi is known for his deep market knowledge and ability to deliver high-calibre talent for complex, time-sensitive mandates; we do not doubt that his experience will considerably strengthen our private equity division. #PrivateEquity #Growth

With AI reshaping value creation across the Private Equity landscape, we hosted a roundtable breakfast in Singapore last week, bringing together investors, operators, and value creation leaders to discuss its practical impact in Asia. The discussion focused on how AI is impacting Private Equity firms and portfolio companies, shifting from AI pilots to practical use cases that directly impact operational performance and financial outcomes. Participants shared perspectives on the operational, strategic, and human challenges of embedding AI at scale. What emerged was a pragmatic view: AI enthusiasm is high, but value creation now hinges on disciplined prioritisation, credible measurable outcomes, and sustained capability building. From a Private Equity investing perspective, AI is reshaping deal evaluation. AI is a focal discussion topic amongst every PE Investment Committee, as it will impact existing business models. It is important to evaluate which business models can be enhanced rather than disrupted by AI. We’ve prepared a detailed summary of the discussion. If you’d like to receive a copy, please connect with Ronald Ho, Jass Chew or James Roberts.

The dynamics of recruitment and retention in consulting are shifting, driven by evolving expectations around DEI, gender representation, hybrid working, and the growing influence of AI. During our recent roundtable with senior Talent Acquisition leaders, the discussion highlighted how firms are balancing continuity with disruption as they adapt to these changes.   Key discussion points included:   Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Recruitment: DEI has become fully embedded in everyday hiring, with firms prioritising stronger pipelines and consistent, inclusive processes over rigid targets.   Gender Representation & Career Progression: Female representation at senior levels remains constrained by slow progress and a limited number of visible role models, despite increasingly supportive organisational policies.   The Impact of AI on Hiring Models: AI is prompting firms to reassess graduate pipelines, foundational consulting skills, and long-term talent models as the technology becomes further embedded in delivery work.   AI Assessment Tools & Internal Efficiencies: The rise of AI-generated responses is reshaping assessment design, while talent teams experiment with new AI-enabled efficiencies within evolving guardrails.   The discussion highlighted the extent to which firms are refining their recruitment practices step by step, seeking to preserve fairness, capability and credibility while adapting to rapid shifts in technology and market demand.   Access the full insight here: https://lnkd.in/ebCapiXY   #ConsultingTalent #FutureOfHiring #AIinRecruitment

Retention is a strategic discipline, not a perk. B Corp standards embed stakeholder governance, transparency and accountability in everyday practice, which is why talented people join and stay. Read EVP Michael Doud’s take in SIA’s Staffing Stream: https://lnkd.in/eJkyVPdy. #BCorp #EmployeeExperience #Leadership

On Monday, we were delighted to co-host a PE Portfolio Transformation event with EY, bringing together senior leaders from across the private equity community—both at the fund and portfolio company levels—to explore how transformation drives value creation in today's market. The evening featured insights from our latest Chief Transformation Officer (CTrO) whitepaper, alongside thought-provoking perspectives from David Rowan, former Editor of WIRED UK, on how technology and AI are reshaping industries; Dr Andrew White from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, sharing co-created research with EY on the six factors that underpin successful transformation; and a panel of senior transformation leaders discussing governance, culture, and leadership alignment in delivering sustainable change. We wrapped up the evening with drinks and an opportunity to connect and exchange ideas. The discussions reinforced a clear theme: successful transformation is rooted in people—in the leadership, culture, and collaboration that turn ambition into measurable impact. A huge thank you to EY for their partnership, and to everyone who joined us for an engaging and insightful evening.    Fredrik Bürger Paddy Moser Mike Parr John van Rossen Bridget Walsh

We’re welcoming Melissa Chester as Vice President, North America. She’ll help scale Independent Consulting and deepen our Strategy and Transformation coverage across private equity and portfolio value creation. Melissa will partner closely with BJ Clinton on Independent Consulting and with Harry Chamberlain on our U.S. Private Equity team to give clients a single, integrated experience across interim, consulting and search. Welcome to the team, Melissa! Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/ebjQxiKZ #NewHire #PrivateEquity #ValueCreation #IndependentConsulting 

Last week, we hosted an evening of networking drinks in New York, bringing together Operating Partners from across the Private Equity community, in partnership with twentyAI and JMAN Group.   The event offered a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange perspectives, and strengthen relationships across the industry.   Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the conversation.  

It is a pleasure to welcome James (Jimmy) Dingwall to The Barton Partnership's HQ as our new Office Manager. Jimmy brings a wealth of experience in managing serviced offices and overseeing smooth operations day-to-day. We have no doubt his contributions to The Barton Partnership's business services division will be invaluable as we continue to grow. Welcome Jimmy!

Ian Copsey will be attending Dubai Arbitration Week 2025, a leading forum bringing together practitioners and industry experts to explore the evolving landscape of international arbitration across the MENA region. This year’s agenda will cover a diverse range of themes, including AI, process efficiencies, and the future of arbitration in MENA, providing valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration. If you’re in attendance, please reach out to Ian Copsey to connect during the week. #DubaiArbitrationWeek #InternationalArbitration

From global business growth to new hires and innovation, Q3 was a quarter defined by collective achievement and shared ambition. Read our CEO Oliver Phoenix's reflections on our performance and priorities for the next stage of our journey. https://lnkd.in/gZ5mtZKd