Private equity-backed growth looks impressive from the outside. From the inside, it is relentless.
In this episode of The Finance Seat podcast, Headstar Managing Director, James Roach, is joined by our guest – Mike Sprot, CFO at the IDHL Group, a multi-brand digital marketing agency that has doubled in size, expanded internationally and completed multiple acquisitions during his tenure.
Together they talk about what it’s actually like to scale an agency under private equity ownership. The pace is fast, the scrutiny is constant, and there’s always a tension between delivering now and building long-term value.
Joining in the middle of chaos
Mike joined the IDHL Group during COVID, starting his role remotely while the business prepared for private equity investment. He talks about navigating a PE deal without meeting his team in person, and how the finance function had to evolve fast as the business moved from 200 people and £20m turnover to more than 400 people and £40m plus.
Making acquisitions actually work
Acquisitions are a major theme. Mike shares what he has learned about integration, from getting expectations clear early to understanding that culture, not numbers, is often where deals struggle.
Life under private equity
They also talk through the practical reality of PE ownership and what it demands on a daily basis, particularly around data, accuracy and communication. And how CFOs balance monthly performance with an exit that may be several years away, in a world shaped by economic uncertainty and AI.
Click here to listen to the full podcast on Spotify.
Or watch the full video interview below on our Headstar YouTube channel
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