The Exit Playbook: Right-timing the exit

This episode of PEI Private Equity Spotlight is the fourth part of a six-part "Exit Playbook" miniseries, sponsored by AlixPartners, on generating exits in a climate the description calls defined by exit scarcity. This instalment focuses on timing, covering the "trigger points" that support launching an exit process and the work needed to build a sales story around portfolio company performance. Guests include portfolio operations and value creation partners from firms such as EQT, Bain Capital, Permira, Centerbridge, Brookfield, Cinven, GTCR, OMERS, Ardian and Apis Partners, alongside AlixPartners practitioners.

1. The season is framed around how to generate successful exits in a climate defined by their scarcity, with this episode devoted to timing.
2. Managers are described as needing to weigh several trigger points before launching an exit process, with performance as the key factor.
3. The description argues performance must also substantiate the sales story, and a company may need time to develop that story.
4. The guest list spans operating, portfolio operations and value creation roles at a range of private equity firms, plus AlixPartners.