The presentation focused on the practical issues faced by private equity fund managers when serving on the board of directors of a portfolio company These issues include the proper role of the portfolio company board of directors; the importance of aligning objectives among the board of directors and company management; the appropriate board composition and oversight; the strategic use of outside directors and advisory boards; properly managing conflicts of interest; and the board of directors’ role in managing distressed portfolio companies.
Foley Partners Paul Broude and Anne Ross moderated the panel, which included John Byrnes, Executive Managing Director of the Mason Wells Funds, David Payne of Aon Financial Services Group, Sona Wang, Managing Partner of Ceres Venture Fund L.P., and Paul Winters, General Counsel of Denham Capital Management LP.