Finding focus: Three essential shifts for private market operations leaders

Reflections and Insights from SuperReturn CFO/COO Amsterdam

by Oliver Wedlake, Senior Director, EMEA

I recently spent a few days in Amsterdam at SuperReturn CFO/COO, engaging with financial and operational leaders about the real-world challenges facing our industry. The conversations were less about theoretical disruption and more about practical evolution—what must firms do right now to stay efficient and secure?

Upon reflection, three key strategic themes emerged. These aren’t just trends to watch; they are fundamental shifts that require action for private market firms to future-proof their operations and position themselves for superior performance.

1. Moving Beyond the All-in-One Promise: Specialisation Wins

It’s understandable why the idea of a single platform solving every problem has been so compelling. But, the reality is that the all-in-one approach often leads to compromise. We heard a consistent message: these solutions can be prohibitively expensive, demand lengthy implementations, and still fall short on critical, niche functionality.

The market is maturing, and the focus is now on adopting a Best-of-Breed technology stack. This means purposefully selecting highly specialised vendors who are experts in one area. By prioritising depth of function over breadth, firms can build a more adaptable and resilient operating environment—one where solutions truly excel and integrate smoothly, driving faster innovation where it matters most.

2. Setting a Higher Standard for AI Security and Privacy

The excitement around AI is palpable, but it’s being tempered by a deep-seated concern over data security and privacy. This is a significant area of risk that cannot be overlooked.

PE leaders are right to be cautious about the security implications of feeding sensitive firm and LP data into public large language models (LLMs). The potential for exposure is simply too high.

For firms to confidently move forward with AI adoption, they must demand institutional-grade security. Any AI-driven solution must guarantee a secure and private environment. Data governance, not just capability, is the new benchmark for selecting AI tools. In this environment, privacy is not a premium feature—it’s a prerequisite for participation.

3. The Unsung Investment: Empowering Talent with New Tech

We often talk about technology, but we must remember that the greatest value comes from the people who wield it. As AI and automation take on more manual tasks, the skill sets required of finance and operations teams are fundamentally changing.

The investment we make in technology must be matched by an investment in talent development. Our teams need training not just on how to use new tools, but on how to leverage this new level of operational efficiency and scale. 

By successfully implementing technology that handles the heavy lifting, we free up our personnel to transition from data processors to strategic partners. This capacity shift allows them to focus on high-value activities that truly drive firm performance, enabling the firm to grow and scale without simply adding headcount.

In Conclusion

The path forward for private market operations involves thoughtful choices: specialising your tech, rigorously securing your data, and empowering your people. By strategically addressing these three priorities, private market firms can future-proof their operations and position themselves for superior performance in an increasingly complex market.