Steve Budd speaks with Zuzana Manhart, Portfolio Manager for Data and AI at CBPE, about how the AI operator role has grown from solving narrow technical problems to shaping strategy across a portfolio. Zuzana explains where quick wins are landing, why AI features bolted onto familiar tools keep getting ignored, what's really holding agents back, and what to look for when hiring your first AI operator. Takeaways The AI operator job has grown from technical fixer into a strategic role across th...

In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with Aris Valtazanos, Head of Data and Analytics at Oakley Capital, about navigating AI across a diverse portfolio of 30-40 companies. Aris shares his journey from a PhD in robotics at the University of Edinburgh through nearly six years at Quantum Black to his current role supporting founder-led businesses in tech, education and consumer sectors. The conversation explores why bespoke sector-specific AI so...

In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with John Gunn, Lead Data Science and AI at IK Partners, about building the AI operator role from scratch. John shares his journey from mechanical engineering through AI consultancy into private equity, where he now works across 30-40 portfolio companies as a specialist on the operating team. The conversation explores the untapped potential of second-order data relationships in due diligence, the importanc...

Summary David Whitcombe (Founder & Managing Director, Data Vision Services) explains what it takes for private equity-backed businesses to move beyond “AI as a chatbot” and start embedding it into day-to-day workflows. We discuss why the real bottlenecks are people, unstructured data, and governance, and where the most immediate commercial upside sits, especially around revenue retention, churn, and pricing. David also makes the case that what used to be “exit prep” is increasingly “AI r...

Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with Maria Bruun, founder and CEO of Seecon, about the transformative potential of AI in financial due diligence for private equity firms. Maria shares her extensive background in M&A and highlights the inefficiencies in traditional due diligence processes and her current purpose to build an AI business to redefine financial due diligence and deal preparation. The conversation explores how AI can automate data g...

Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd discusses the critical role of AI governance with experts Graeme Cox and Sarah Clarke from Attercop. They explore the misconceptions surrounding AI governance, emphasising its importance as a value enabler rather than a hindrance to innovation. The conversation covers various themes, including the risks associated with AI liability, the parallels between AI governance and cybersecurity, and the necessity...

Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, Steve Budd and Eleanor Hobson discuss the growing liability concerns surrounding AI technologies, particularly for mid-market companies. They explore the risks associated with GenAI, the challenges in contractual agreements, and the implications of the EU AI Act. Eleanor provides insights on how portfolio companies can mitigate risks and emphasises the importance of AI literacy and compliance in navigating this evolving...

Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd and guest Brian Briggs discuss the evolving landscape of AI in private equity, particularly focusing on due diligence processes. They explore how AI is reshaping investor inquiries, the risks and opportunities it presents, and the importance of integrating AI considerations into investment strategies. The conversation highlights the need for a robust framework for AI due diligence, the significance of ex...

Summary In this episode of the AI Pathfinder for Private Equity podcast, host Steve Budd speaks with Margo Polishchuk, co-founder and president of ProSapient, about the evolution of primary research in private equity. Margo shares her journey from the expert networking industry to founding ProSapient, emphasising the importance of customer-centric innovation and the integration of technology in research workflows. The conversation explores the impact of generative AI on the industry, the nec...

Summary In this episode Steve Budd speaks with Al Cattell, founder of GiantKelp, about the practical applications of AI in private equity and business processes. They discuss the importance of using AI to automate workflows, the challenges of managing expectations, and the role of subject matter experts in successful AI deployment. Al shares insights from his experience in helping firms identify use cases for AI and the significance of starting small with controlled projects to build momentu...