Apax’s Operational Excellence Practice hosts ninth KnowledgeNow conference

17th October 2019

This year’s KnowledgeNow conference, an annual portfolio company thought leadership event, was held in Berlin, Germany. 

This year’s KnowledgeNow conference, an annual portfolio company thought leadership event, was held in Berlin, Germany. 

Hosted by Apax Partners’ Operational Excellence Practice (“OEP”), a team of functional experts that help generate measurable operational impact in the Apax Funds’ portfolio companies, the event brought together 138 executives including attendees from 33 Apax Funds portfolio companies. Collectively these companies generate more than $11 billion in annual revenues. 

The theme of the event was “At a Crossroads”. In an age where the volume of available data is driving complexity, teams need to be empowered to make the best choices at every juncture. Over the course of two days, portfolio company leaders were joined by members of the Apax OEP team and keynote external speakers to address this topic from a range of angles. Solutions were offered for how companies can flourish and win in an environment where decisions are being made with ever increasing speed. 

Speakers heard from included: Tali Sharot, a neuroscientist who spoke about inbuilt biases and prejudices and what we can do to be aware of them and compensate to make better choices; General John Kelly, Former White House Chief of Staff and Former US Secretary of Homeland Security, who discussed leadership and decision-making in pressurised and chaotic environments; and Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Former Secretary General of NATO and Former Prime Minister of Denmark, who talked about the leadership challenges facing a weakened Europe in the age of populism. 

Seth Brody, Partner and Global Head of the Operational Excellence Practice at Apax Partners, said: “We are delighted that the KnowledgeNow format goes from strength-to-strength. With such a high proportion of portfolio companies represented in Berlin, the event provides a forum for senior executives to share insights and best practices, to form cross-portfolio relationships, and to learn practical tips to help their businesses accelerate growth.”

To read the KnowledgeNow Report, please click here.