Strategic Consulting: How Private Equity Firms Enhance Portfolio Performance
In today’s competitive private equity (PE) landscape, operational value creation has become just as important as financial engineering. To maximize performance across their portfolios, PE firms are increasingly turning to external consulting partners to solve internal problems—especially in the critical areas of CEO alignment, sales performance, and post-acquisition integration.
This shift isn’t just tactical—it’s strategic.
Why the Demand for Consulting Is Rising
Private equity has always excelled at due diligence and deal structuring. But once the deal is done, the real work begins—and internal challenges often surface fast:
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Misaligned leadership
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Underperforming sales
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Inefficient operations
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Cultural resistance to change
To address these challenges, PE firms are proactively engaging external consultants who bring specialized, execution-driven expertise. According to Consulting.us, the top firms in this space offer services that extend far beyond deal support, including operational turnaround, growth strategy, and exit optimization.
Real-World Examples of Consulting in Action
1. Alvarez & Marsal: Doubling Down on M&A
Alvarez & Marsal has expanded aggressively by recruiting top-tier talent from Big Four rivals, including six senior deal advisers from KPMG. The goal? Build a new M&A advisory business for U.S. and multinational clients. This move positions A&M as a go-to consulting partner for private equity firms navigating complex deal environments—especially as Big Four firms face increased scrutiny over audit-consulting conflicts.
2. Grant Thornton & Private Equity Capital
In a landmark €480 million private equity-backed merger, Grant Thornton Ireland is combining with U.S.-based Grant Thornton Advisors. Backed by New Mountain Capital, this deal underscores private equity’s growing influence in professional services. It also signals growing M&A activity in the consulting space—driven by high margins and brand value.
These moves show one thing clearly: Consulting firms are being reshaped by private equity—and returning the favor by reshaping PE portfolios.
The Role of Consultants in CEO Alignment
Leadership alignment is mission-critical in any portfolio company.
New ownership often comes with new expectations, new reporting structures, and a faster pace of execution. Without alignment, performance slips—and so do returns.
External consultants play a vital role in helping:
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Align the CEO’s operating style with investor expectations
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Clarify OKRs and strategic priorities
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Facilitate communication between PE sponsors and the leadership team
According to Russell Reynolds Associates, CEO misalignment is one of the top reasons portfolio companies underperform. Consultants bring neutrality and structure to these conversations—two things hard to achieve from inside the firm.
Boosting Sales Performance Post-Acquisition
Sales underperformance is one of the quickest ways to derail value creation in a newly acquired company.
Consulting partners specializing in sales optimization:
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Assess current processes and pipeline health
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Identify underperforming segments
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Introduce scalable sales frameworks and tools
Firms like Bain & Company have built entire divisions around post-acquisition performance acceleration—delivering practical, front-line improvements in sales and revenue generation.
Choosing the Right Consulting Partner
Not all consultants are created equal. When selecting a partner, PE firms should evaluate:
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Relevant industry experience
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Proven track record in post-acquisition support
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Ability to work closely with CEOs and management teams
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Cultural fit with the firm’s operating style and timeline
Top-ranked consulting partners for private equity, according to Consulting.us, include:
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Bain & Company
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Alvarez & Marsal
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EY-Parthenon
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Grant Thornton
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Maine Pointe
Each brings a unique strength—but success ultimately comes down to strategic fit and execution focus.
APEX: A Strategic Partner Built for Private Equity
At APEX, we work at the intersection of private equity and execution.
With 20+ years of experience building and exiting a company through a PE acquisition, we understand what both sides of the table need to succeed. Our proprietary APPM Method focuses on:
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Alignment – Ensuring leadership and investors are moving in sync
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Product – Clarifying core offering, pricing, and positioning
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People – Restructuring teams and roles for scale
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Margins – Driving profitable, cash-flow-positive growth
We partner with PE firms and portfolio CEOs to eliminate friction, accelerate execution, and strengthen cultural alignment from day one.
Final Thoughts: Consulting as a Value Creation Lever
Private equity firms no longer rely solely on financial levers to grow enterprise value. Today, operational excellence is the advantage—and strategic consulting is a direct path to achieving it.
By engaging the right consulting partners, PE firms can:
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Align leadership faster
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Fix underperforming sales engines
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Execute post-acquisition plans with discipline
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Hit timelines and unlock returns
APEX is here to help. Whether you’re navigating a new acquisition, managing executive misalignment, or trying to turn around underperformance—we bring clarity, structure, and execution to the table.
Let’s partner to unlock the full value of your portfolio.
