Dave Novak, Co-President of CD&R, and Roberto Quarta, Chairman of CD&R Europe, delivered the keynote interview at SuperReturn’s 2021 Middle East Conference, which convened an intimate group of investors from the Middle East and beyond. The pair discussed sustaining private capital’s advantage through differentiated transaction sourcing, diverse and specialized talent, digital advancement, and an integrated ESG approach.

“Some have argued that the 50 year-old private capital industry may be entering a mid-life crisis with the forces of scale, competition and globalization eroding its historical advantages,” said Mr. Novak. “It may not surprise you, but I can confidently say that I believe our best days are ahead of us, especially for those firms who focused on differentiated investment strategies, created disciplined processes to support these strategies, and steadily invested in and elevated capabilities across key functional areas.”

“The combination of unprecedented deal flow, economic uncertainty, widespread disruption, and accelerated technology innovation means today’s investors face operating challenges unlike any other,” said Mr. Quarta. “Operating talent has never been more critical to value creation, both at the investment firm and portfolio company levels. Having deep functional, operational, and strategic capabilities are essential to ensure portfolio businesses are the disruptors not the disrupted.”

Mr. Novak, based in London, has been with CD&R for nearly 25 years and is responsible for the Firm’s European business and international activities. Previously, he worked in the private equity and investment banking divisions of Morgan Stanley.

Mr. Quarta has been a Partner at CD&R for 20 years and is Chairman of CD&R Europe, having played the lead operating role in several of the Firm’s investments. He is Chairman of WPP plc and Smith & Nephew plc.

About Clayton, Dubilier & Rice

CD&R is a private investment firm with a strategy predicated on building stronger, more profitable businesses. Since inception, CD&R has managed the investment of more than $40 billion in over 100 companies with an aggregate transaction value of more than $175 billion. The firm has offices in New York and London. For more information, please visit www.cdr-inc.com.