AI advisory appointment for a mid-market PE fund

At a glance

The challenge

A mid-market private equity fund managing $15bn+ in assets under management required an AI Advisor capable of applying an AI lens across diligence and portfolio value creation.

The solution

Nova delivered a retained search focused on active AI operators, prioritising practitioners with both advisory and in-house executive experience over traditional profiles.

The impact

Following two offers, a senior AI leader was appointed with previous experience building out the Applied AI function within a Fortune 500 financial services firm.

Client objective

The client aimed to strengthen its internal AI capability by appointing an Advisor who could provide informed challenge during diligence and identify AI enablement opportunities across its existing portfolio.

The mandate required a practitioner with deep technical credibility, commercial judgement, and the ability to operate effectively with investment teams and portfolio leadership across multiple sectors.

Nova in action

Nova worked in tandem with the investment team to define the scope and expectations of the advisory role, aligning on the balance between strategic oversight and hands-on operating impact.

Rather than pursuing conventional advisor profiles, Nova focused on highly active AI experts, including individuals with leading AI consulting backgrounds and senior in-house roles within complex organisations.

Within a matter of weeks, Nova identified and engaged more than ten immediately available AI Advisors, each capable of contributing at the fund level. Following a competitive selection process, two offers were made to standout candidates.

The role was ultimately accepted by a former McKinsey QuantumBlack executive who had since led Applied AI initiatives within a Fortune 500 financial services organisation, bringing both advisory rigour and real-world execution capability to the fund.