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The People-First Investment Approach

Written By: Gerald O’Dwyer IIThe PE Guru — Blackmore Partners, Inc | December 11th, 2024

At Blackmore Partners, Inc., we’ve spent over 20 years as people-first investors. This philosophy has shaped our entire approach to talent acquisition, culminating in the creation of BlackmoreConnects. Unlike traditional recruiting, which focuses narrowly on matching skill sets to roles, our model aligns leadership hiring with the investment thesis, PE lifecycle, and ultimate exit strategy.

Our approach isn’t just about filling a position—it’s about solving for the challenges inherent in executing PE strategies. With the high rate of executive turnover in PE—often within the first 12–18 months—hiring mistakes can be costly. BlackmoreConnects minimizes these risks by aligning talent with both the portfolio company’s journey and the unique culture of PE.

Why PE Leadership Turnover is High

Private equity demands a different kind of leadership. Executives must thrive in high-pressure environments, navigate rapid change, and deliver measurable results under tight timelines. Common causes of turnover include:

  • Misalignment with the PE Lifecycle: Leaders who succeed in steady-state environments often struggle to adapt to the fast-paced, results-driven PE world.
  • Cultural Fit Challenges: PE firms and their portfolio companies often operate with unique governance models, decision-making dynamics, and performance expectations.
  • Execution Failures: Poor alignment between leadership capabilities and the investment thesis leads to missed milestones, integration challenges, or stalled growth.

How BlackmoreConnects Solves for These Challenges

1. Investment Thesis-Driven Hiring

BlackmoreConnects begins by dissecting the PE firm’s investment thesis. By understanding the portfolio company’s current state, future goals, and exit strategy, we develop hiring criteria that align leadership capabilities with the company’s journey.

  • Example: A PE firm targeting EBITDA growth through lean initiatives requires leaders with proven operational efficiency experience and the ability to manage trade-offs between cost cutting and scalability.

2. Culture Fit for PE and Portfolio Companies

We evaluate candidates not only for their technical skills but also for their ability to thrive in the unique culture of both the portfolio company and the PE firm.

  • PE-Specific Traits: Quick decision-making, metrics-driven execution, and comfort with trade-offs.
  • Company-Specific Traits: Alignment with operational realities, team dynamics, and growth stage.

3. Systematic, Metric-Based Hiring

Our 20+ years of experience have equipped us with a deep understanding of what can go wrong in investment strategies due to execution failures. To mitigate these risks, we apply a systematic, metrics-driven hiring process:

  • Thesis Translation: Breaking down the investment thesis into measurable success criteria for leadership.
  • Scenario-Based Interviews: Presenting candidates with real-world challenges to assess their decision-making and trade-off navigation.
  • Proven Track Records: Validating past performance as an indicator of future success.

4. Customized Hiring Criteria

Every company, no matter its stage or health, requires unique leadership criteria. BlackmoreConnects works to:

  • Assess the company’s current state.
  • Define future goals based on the investment thesis.
  • Understand what success looks like under various scenarios.

Our Flexible Model: Supporting PE Firms in Every Scenario

Whether your PE firm knows exactly what it needs or requires guidance, BlackmoreConnects can deliver.

When You Know What You Need

We execute the recruiting process, using our tools and expertise to find leaders who align with your criteria and vision.

When You’re Uncertain

If you’re unclear on the ideal leadership profile, we’ll research and interview others who have successfully navigated similar scenarios. By analyzing skills, mindsets, and execution strategies, we can identify the best fit for your portfolio company’s needs.

Trade-Off Analysis and Timing

We help you weigh trade-offs in the hiring process, including:

  • Speed vs. Fit: Balancing urgency with the need for alignment.
  • Immediate Impact vs. Long-Term Scalability: Choosing leaders who can address today’s challenges while preparing for the exit.
  • Internal vs. External Candidates: Evaluating the benefits and risks of promoting from within versus bringing in fresh perspectives.

The BlackmoreConnects Methodology

1. Thesis-Driven Screening

  • Translate the investment thesis into hiring criteria.
  • Align leadership capabilities with company and PE lifecycle needs.

2. Scenario-Based Interviews

  • Present candidates with challenges tied to the company’s current and future states.
  • Evaluate decision-making, adaptability, and ability to navigate trade-offs.

3. Deep Cultural Fit Evaluation

  • Assess alignment with both the portfolio company’s operational culture and the PE firm’s governance style.

4. Flexible Engagement Options

  • DIY Support: Use our tools, templates, and processes to run your hiring process.
  • Full-Service Recruiting: Let BlackmoreConnects manage the entire recruitment effort, ensuring seamless execution.

Why BlackmoreConnects is the Best Path to Success

  1. Proven Experience: Over 20 years as Execs 1st investors and talent experts.
  2. PE-Focused Expertise: Tailored hiring strategies designed specifically for the private equity lifecycle.
  3. Customizable Approach: Whether you need support, tools, or full-service recruiting, we deliver.
  4. Metrics-Driven Success: A systematic process that aligns leadership with investment goals and mitigates risks.

Conclusion: Build the Right Leadership Team for the Journey

Great exits require great leadership. BlackmoreConnects combines the insight of an investor with the rigor of a talent expert to deliver leadership teams that align with your investment thesis and drive results at every stage of the PE lifecycle.

Whether you’re seeking a hands-on partner or the tools to run the process yourself, BlackmoreConnects ensures your hiring decisions are informed, strategic, and optimized for success.

Contact us at [email protected] to start building the leadership team that will take your portfolio company to the next level.