Mark McMahon, Global Practice Leader and Head of Alternative Investment Services for Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services spoke at a webinar EMPEA, the global industry association for private capital in emerging markets, on valuation issues during COVID-19.
Mark gave practical insights and approaches on quantifying uncertainty and qualitative considerations when valuing private equity investments, as well as the unique challenges and considerations that differentiate this effort for credit funds. He also spoke on the operational challenges the current environment poses to mid-sized funds, where middle and back-office strains can mount quickly without the assistance of best in class tools and technologies.
Other speakers included: Paul Cunningham, Chairman and Board Member for IPEV, and CFO for Helios Investment Partners, and Carolina Espinal, Managing Director at HarbourVest. The moderator was Cate Ambrose, Chief Executive of EMPEA. The webinar is available to EMPEA members by clicking here.
In this third extract, Mark McMahon responds to Cate Ambrose’s questions about the role of the back office and the kind of operational resources needed to support valuation.
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