219. The Private Equity CFO: Make an Impact in the First 100 Days with Richard Sanders

CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance

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In this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro sits down with Richard Sanders, Founder and Managing Partner of Sullivan Street Partners, to explore how CFOs can navigate their first 100 days in Private Equity, set the right priorities, manage investor expectations, and lay the groundwork for long-term success.

Key topics covered:

• What CFOs should focus on when stepping into private equity ownership.
• How to identify risks, uncover hidden issues, and turn challenges into opportunities.
• How to set the tone, structure a strong agenda, and communicate effectively with investors.
• How to build trust with your Investment Director and avoid private equity stepping in too closely.
• Creating a strong 100-day plan and adjusting priorities based on due diligence insights.
• How to connect with other CFOs in the PE firm’s portfolio and leverage peer learning.
• The Role of Transparency & Communication

Links mentioned:

• Richard's Linkedin
• Learn more about Sullivan Street Partners

• Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here.
• Subscribe to our Podcast!

Chapters

1. Welcome to CFO 4.0 (00:00:00)

2. First 100 Days as a PE CFO (00:01:10)

3. Planning Early and Surfacing Issues (00:06:35)

4. The Critical First Month Window (00:09:43)

5. Customer Testimonial: ITAS Partnership (00:17:33)

6. Managing PE Expectations (00:18:46)

7. Running an Effective First Board Meeting (00:22:20)

8. Building Relationships with Investment Directors (00:29:59)

9. Additional Tips for Success (00:33:00)