Transforming Private Equity’s Approach to CFO Recruitment

Key takeaways from the 2025 Private Equity International’s Operating Partners Human Capital Forum 

By Brian Dwyer

The March 2025 Private Equity Investors (PEI) Operating Partners Human Capital Forum gathered leaders from across the private equity landscape to discuss pressing talent acquisition challenges. Among the most vibrant conversations were those centered on recruiting CFOs, a critical function that continues to evolve in complexity and strategic importance.  

Since CFOs are our most frequent search assignment, with JM Search successfully placing nearly 350 financial leaders at high-growth businesses from January 2023 to January 2025, I was thrilled to moderate a panel discussion with PE Talent Partners on CFO recruitment, assessments, and incentives. During this engaging conversation, we identified five key themes that are reshaping how PE firms approach the acquisition and retention of financial leadership: 

1. Unlocking Potential: The Compelling Case for First-Time CFOs 

A thoughtful conversation emerged around the merits of first-time CFOs. The panel discussed several compelling reasons lower/middle market firms in particular might be compelled to invest in a first-timer:

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