Speakers:

John Bates, CEO, Doxis (fka SER Group)

Iveta Cabajova, CEO, Chaos

Renzo Taal, CEO, Thinkproject

Stephan Sieber, CEO Volue & Executive Chairman at Chaos

Sponsors:

TA Associates

H.I Executive Consulting

As private equity continues to play an increasingly influential role in growth-stage and established businesses, CEOs and senior leaders are required to adapt to new ways of operating, governing and scaling their organisations.

This event brings together four highly experienced leaders Renzo Taal, CEO, Thinkproject, Iveta Cabajova, CEO, Chaos, John Bates CEO, Doxis (fka SER Group) and Stephan Sieber, CEO Volue & Executive Chairman, Chaos, to share candid, real-world perspectives on leading through change in PE-backed environments. Drawing on their experience as CEOs, board members and executive chairs, the discussion will explore what really changes when private equity comes on board, and how leaders can turn that shift into a catalyst for growth rather than disruption.

The discussion will explore practical and leadership challenges of operating in a PE-backed environment: the initial impact, the pace and pressure of new performance expectations, and the leadership adjustments required to succeed. Speakers will share lessons from transforming founder-led businesses, working with PE-backed boards, executing M&A, and leveraging investor support to achieve outcomes that would not have been possible otherwise.

Key themes include:

• Change management and adaptation in PE-backed organisations
• How CEOs work effectively with PE partners and boards
• Ensuring success under PE ownership
• Leveraging capital, governance and investor expertise to accelerate growth

Designed for CEOs, founders and senior leaders navigating, or considering, private equity, this session offers practical insights, honest reflections and multiple perspectives from those who have lived it.

Speakers:

Renzo Taal, CEO of Thinkproject

Renzo has extensive experience leading PE-backed technology organisations, including guiding thinkproject through growth under TA Associates. He has held senior roles at UiPath, Dell, Salesforce and Philips, driving international expansion, operational change and scaling high-growth businesses.

John Bates, CEO of SER Group

John has transformed founder-led businesses into high-performing PE-backed companies, overseeing growth, M&A, and board development under TA Associates. He has also led Apama, Progress Software, Terracotta, PLAT.ONE and Eggplant Group, bringing deep expertise in investor partnerships and scaling technology businesses.

Stephan Sieber, CEO of Volue

Stefan has extensive experience leading technology and software businesses under investor-backed ownership. He has previously led Transporeon, Unit4 and held senior leadership at SAP, specialising in scaling operations, adapting to different markets, and leveraging investor capital to drive growth.