NYAIR Episode 57
The Changing PE Landscape –The Impact of COVID, Political Change & Various Other Factor
In this NY-AIR episode, top private equity leaders dissect how COVID-19, market liquidity, and new capital models have reshaped everything from deal sourcing to team culture. Discover inside stories of how investment managers, deal partners, and company leaders navigated the storm—finding opportunity in volatility, accelerating value creation via technology, and setting bold expectations for fund performance in a world of high valuations and disruptive SPAC competition. If you work in investments, deal with alternative assets, or want the real scoop on modern dealmaking, this is your playbook for market leadership.
Featured Guests
Hugh Nguyen
Managing Partner, Knickerbocker Financial Group (Moderator)
A veteran founder, operator, and investor, Hugh Nguyen has built wealth management platforms across the globe, from Knickerbocker Financial Group to co-founding ClearServe and driving business strategy at Garrison Lehman. His career bridges fintech, early-stage capital, and growth partnerships, offering rare insight into strategy and innovation for fast-growing financial service firms.
James Andersen
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Clearview Capital
James Andersen is the steady hand and strategic mind behind Clearview Capital, a leading private equity firm specializing in control investments across manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare services. From his Wharton MBA and engineering roots, Jim’s career has spanned global strategy consulting, offshore engineering, and portfolio management—building Clearview into a gold-standard for value creation and operational excellence in the lower middle market.
David Coquillette
Managing Director, New Mountain Capital
David Coquillette is a trusted leader in business development and capital raising for New Mountain Capital, one of the most respected names in private equity and credit. With a foundation at Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, and Oak Hill Advisors, David brings hands-on experience in investment products, corporate finance, and client coverage—guiding New Mountain’s growth, diversification, and institutional partnerships through times of risk and resilience.
Key Insights From This Episode
Remote Deal Diligence Is Here to Stay
The switch to virtual dealmaking forced firms to spotlight transparency and operational excellence while rethinking how trust and relationships are built without in-person meetings.
Communication Multiplies Value
Private equity teams doubled down on frequent, transparent communication—with investors, management teams, and lenders—to navigate unprecedented operational challenges and boost long-term trust.
SPAC Mania: Opportunity and Caution
SPACs create new liquidity and exit options, but panelists warn of overvaluation, potential underperformance, and urge sponsors not to chase deals at the expense of returns.
Fundraising Goes Global—and Digital
Digital platforms unlocked new investor bases previously hard to access, making capital raising more competitive and democratized—but also forcing firms to showcase true operating talent.
The Return of Inflation: Prepare Your Portfolio
Rising wage and commodity costs are already hitting portfolio companies, with firms modeling for multiple contraction and warning against dropping return targets in hot markets.
Generalists vs. Specialists: The Debate Continues
Crisis revealed the value of “defensive growth” expertise and niche sectors—while top generalists proved their edge by tackling operational challenges, scaling value, and deploying capital with conviction rather than following market froth.
Access the Full Conversation
Stream the complete episode and download your custom insights deck—packed with takeaways for asset managers, allocators, and capital markets professionals focused on resilience, performance, and strategic leadership. Learn how today’s top PE leaders are positioning for tomorrow’s market uncertainty and opportunity.
Soundbites Worth Saving
“High-quality assets are going for really high numbers now… If you’re buying something at 12x, you better be analyzing it as if your best bid will be 9.7x in five years.”
— James Andersen
“SPACs are here to stay, but not all will succeed. The ones with quality sponsors, solid businesses, and realistic valuations will become industry benchmarks.”
— David Coquillette
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