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Session – private equity panel

Day Two

Reboot | Growing value in today’s information market: mixing private equity investing, challenger brands, and vendor consolidation

July 1 – 15:00 to 16:00pm

Stephen Phillips

SmartIM

About this session

What is the role of private equity in the development and consolidation of the information industry? What are the dynamics and disconnects for challenger information providers?

This panel discussion will be lead by our Conference Chair, Stephen Phillips, with speakers from various sectors discussing challenges and opportunities in today’s information market.

The panel will feature Angela Johnson (JP Morgan), Ian Whittaker (Liberty Sky Advisors), Piers Bearne (Collingwood Advisory), and Dermot Corrigan (smartKYC).

About the chair

Stephen Phillips has over 35 years’ experience of information management and research. Prior to founding SmartIM last year, he was global Head of Business Information Management at a major investment bank where he managed an extensive content portfolio.  His experience ranges from developing strategy and optimising services, to enhancing transparency and accountability to maximise value.  Whilst in this role he created and maintained a peer to peer network of information managers across UK financial services.

Stephen contributed a chapter on resourcing strategies to the “The Emerald Handbook of Modern Information Management”.  He is also on the editorial board of Business Information Review; contributing articles and running their annual survey.

Stephen is a trustee of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (CILIP) and 2021 Conference Chair for SLA Europe, having previously served as Community President.  He regularly participates in product advisory boards, industry think tanks, events and conferences.

About the panel

Angela Johnson

JP Morgan

About Angela

Angela Johnson has been working in business information services in the City of London for over 30 years.  Currently she is the Regional Manager of Global Corporate Finance Operations at JP Morgan encompassing both info services and presentations support to CIB.  Having lived through dramatic changes in the information researcher role within banking financial services, she strongly believes there is a place for our expertise as trusted advisers and architects in the process to automate and robotize a previously humancentric function. Angela has a keen interest in exploring the ‘People Agenda’ challenges increasingly important in strategic planning for the future.

Ian Whittaker

Liberty Sky Advisors

@Ianrwhittaker
Ian Whittaker

About Ian

Ian Whittaker is the current City AM Analyst of the Year, having twice previously won the award in 2019 and 2014. Ian is an experienced, commercially-minded analyst with 20 years’ experience who is recognised for his industry knowledge across all parts of Media, Digital and Marcoms, and with a proven track record of being ahead of the curve in understanding industry dynamics and the implications for companies. Significant experience in helping companies find the most suitable financing options including in IPOs and providing advice to companies both at a strategic and financial level. Highly regarded both within the City and the media for knowledge of the media sector and the latest digital trends. Numerous media appearances including Bloomberg, Sky News, CNBC and Radio 4 and frequent speeches at major industry events and conferences.

Piers Bearne

Collingwood Advisory

Collingwood Advisory

About Piers

Piers Bearne is an entrepreneur, investor and adviser to independent information and media companies. Collingwood Advisory helps entrepreneurs to grow and sell their companies.

Dermot Corrigan

smartKYC

smartKYC

About Dermot

Dermot Corrigan is CEO of smartKYC, a cognitive computing platform that automatically extracts open-source risk intelligence from structured and deep web sources. Dermot has 30 years’ experience in the information services and media technology sectors. Having served in senior executive roles with Frost & Sullivan and PR Newswire he went on to build and launch the world’s first adverse media search engine for KYC while at LexisNexis. He then ran Exclusive Analysis, a global political risk intelligence business (acquired by IHS Markit) and was Chief Commercial Officer of the mainstream and social media monitoring business Gorkana Group (acquired by Cision).