Podcast Ep. 22: Private Equity: What Business Owners Need to Know

Private equity is no longer a niche investment strategy. As private markets expand and new sources of capital emerge, businesses have more opportunities to finance growth, pursue acquisitions, and build long-term value.

In this episode of The CFO Hive Podcast, host David Ritchie sits down with Mark Benedetti, Executive President at Ardian, to explore how private equity has evolved, what its continued growth means for business owners, and why strategic financial leadership is increasingly important in navigating today’s investment landscape.

Drawing on nearly two decades at Ardian, one of the world’s leading private markets investment firms, Mark shares his perspective on the expansion of private equity, infrastructure, private credit, and secondary markets. He explains how private markets have grown into a mainstream source of capital and why the increasing participation of individual investors is reshaping the investment landscape.

The conversation breaks down private equity secondaries, explaining how investors can create liquidity and manage existing private market investments. David and Mark also explore the democratization of private markets, including how new investment structures and broader investor participation are expanding access to an asset class traditionally dominated by institutional investors.

For CEOs, founders, and mid-market business owners, these developments have important implications. As private capital becomes more widely available, businesses may have additional opportunities to finance expansion, enter new markets, pursue acquisitions, or consider alternatives to traditional public-market financing.

Beyond access to capital, Mark shares what sophisticated private equity investors look for in businesses and management teams. He emphasizes the importance of long-term strategic planning, encouraging leaders to focus on sustainable growth and value creation rather than reacting to short-term market fluctuations.

The discussion also examines the evolving role of the CFO as a strategic business partner. Mark explains why financial leadership must extend beyond reporting and financial oversight to include strategic planning, investment decisions, and collaboration across the executive team. For growing organizations, having experienced financial leadership can be instrumental in preparing for investment, managing complexity, and supporting long-term business objectives.

David and Mark also explore the leadership challenges of operating across international markets. From navigating cultural differences to encouraging diverse perspectives and building alignment across global teams, Mark shares how collaboration and long-standing relationships have contributed to Ardian’s continued growth.

Listen in to discover how private equity is evolving, what expanding access to capital means for businesses, and why long-term thinking and strategic CFO leadership are essential to building lasting value.