Public vs Private Markets: key takeaways from our conversation with Alan Giddins
- benhall06
- May 14
- 2 min read
Against the backdrop of structural weaknesses facing the UK and global stock markets, and the ongoing discourse around regulatory reform and increased government support, it is becoming increasingly clear that a more fundamental issue may lie within the listed company model itself.
Our latest webinar, featuring Alan Giddins, who brings a rare dual perspective from both private equity and public market leadership, explored the growing divide between public and private markets.
As more capital, talent, and companies migrate toward private ownership, we asked some key questions:
Which aspects of the private equity playbook can be adopted to re-energise public markets?
What practical steps can Boards and leadership teams take to stay competitive and resilient in this shifting landscape?
And what, if anything, can private equity-backed firms learn from listed businesses?
While there’s no single solution to rethinking the public model, our conversation uncovered several important insights:
Primary buyouts are often fuelled by drive and mindset, with private equity owners demonstrating bolder thinking and freedom in driving value e.g. discussions with potential M&A targets before investment
This also concerns Governance and decision-making, which in private markets tends to be faster and more decisive, freer from the layers of public accountability that can slow listed firms down
Remuneration constraints in public companies can hinder both talent retention and strategic risk-taking, whereas private structures often allow for more flexible reward systems
Dialogue with management in public markets remains overly short-term. Institutional investors may need to place greater trust in Chairs and Non-Executives, and rethink how they engage
Organisational structure is often treated with greater flexibility in private markets, where strategic clarity frequently takes precedence over rigid hierarchy
A better understanding of public and private markets is essential for a wider discussion about how businesses, investors, and leadership teams can build more agile, value-driven organisations in today’s evolving capital markets.
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