Private Equity

Due Diligence

  • 2017 - Advised Cinven business on potential acquisition in hospitality sector. Managed management consultants and pricing specialists applying Pricetrakker dataset to decision making

  • 2020 - Advised ECI on investment in Mobysoft. Pioneered Commercial/AI DD with specific focus on data/AI by leading a team of consultants, data scientists & engineers

  • 2020 - Led a team working on sell-side CDD for ECI (FS sector)

  • 2023 - Buy-side side Commercial/AI DD for ECI (Media sector case study 1)

  • 2024 - Buy-side Commercial/AI DD for ECI (Software sector case study 6)

  • 2024 - Buy-side Commercial/AI DD for ECI (Deal announced - Insurance Insider - case study 8)

Value Creation

  • 2020 - Shortly after Moonpig IPO, led a team of consultants, data scientists & engineers to write a 3 year growth plan

  • 2021/22 - Worked collaboratively with Apax to deliver Value Creation projects for Matchesfashion, PIB & Paycor

Advisory

  • 2024 - Strategic Advisor to Datasparq - Proposition development and go-to-market strategy (case study 9)

  • 2024 - Strategic Advisor to AI Pathfinder - Advise on Private Equity & AI business model trends

AI Tools used within PE funds

  • 2024 - VeritIQ (Due Diligence software for Private Equity) – three-month project to assess market landscape, business model, relevance of data & AI to the proposition. Wrote IM which led to initial SEIS investment (case study 5)

  • 2025 - Exciting new Strategy project commencing January 2025 - assessing use of AI and how best to leverage data within a fund that has deployed £4bn since inception (case study coming soon)

Thought Leadership

Value Proposition 1

Early Stage - Commercial Due Diligence

1 week project

  • - Market Research & Analysis (assisted by safe use of AI tools)

    - Investment Memorandum / Sell-Side CDD

    - Competitive Analysis

  • 1. Overall Red/Amber flags

    2. Growth and Efficiencies potential (AI focus)

    3. Defensibility

    4. Impact of AI Trends on Business Model

    5. Second opinion on CDD & Cross-Reference IM/CDD consistency

    6. Relevance of Data/AI to Target vision

  • 10-15 page written document (MS Word format)

Example Deliverable

Value Proposition 2

Late Stage - Commercial Due Diligence

2-4 week project

  • - Work alongside trusted commercial & technical advisors in my network

    - Go deeper on Commercial & AI Amber / Red flags identified in

    - Review further documentation and revise hypotheses

    - Access relevant external datasets to further inform decision-making

  • 1. Help PE client to more deeply understand and address issues/flags raised in early stage

    2. Help PE client have increased confidence in whether or not to proceed

    3. Help PE client to have a more evidence to support a the Target valuation

  • - More detailed written document (MS Word format)

    - Data analysis (depending on additional resources introduced)

Value Proposition 3

Value Creation - 100 Day Plan

2 week project

  • - Work alongside PE & Management team on growth & innovation plan

    - Transition knowledge and thinking acquired in the CDD process

    - Build relationships with acquired Management Team

  • 1. Help PE client to challenge conventional thinking of Management team

    2. Help PE client to progress strategically toward growth and efficiencies

  • 10 to 15 page written document (MS Word format) outlining commercial and innovation considerations for growth

Angelique Augerau (CDAO, Apax)

“Cal is very collaborative, we worked closely together to scope out high impact projects. He managed multiple complex relationships across our portfolio very well - he does a great job bridging the gap between technical ML knowledge and how to apply it to solve real business problems and drive impact. He’s an excellent thought partner and a pleasure to work with.“​

Duncan Ramsay (Partner, ECI)

“I've worked with Cal on a number of projects - he has a strong understanding of what matters his client, and the valuable ability to bridge between the technical end of AI, back to the commercial drivers, articulated in a way that business leaders can understand. He is a good relationship builder, and works hard to consider opportunities to create value together. Cal is a pleasure to work with and a go-to person for me when it comes to AI/ML.“​

Seth Brody (Partner, Apax)

“Cal is client-focused, customer-centric, and solution oriented. We have engaged with Cal specifically across a number of projects in the Apax funds' portfolio of companies. Cal takes ownership of the relationship, doesn't shy away from complexities large or small, and drives everyone to the best and most impactful outcome.“​