Calibre One

It's always good to start the year off with some good news and we’re delighted to announce the promotion of Sophie Wright. Sophie has been with the firm for 3 ½ years and has proven to be one of our star performers in the UK. We’re excited to see how she continues her positive impact on our clients in her new role as Principal. Congratulations, Sophie!!

Congratulations to our client, Ascendis Pharma on their appointment of Dr. Jethro Ekuta to the role of Chief Regulatory Officer, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs & Pharmacovigilance.   Ascendis Pharma (NASDAQ:ASND) is applying their innovative TransCon technology platform to build a leading, fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Guided by core values of patients, science and passion, they utilize their TransCon technology platform to create new and potentially best-in-class therapies. Ascendis has two commercial products YORVIPATH and SKYTROFA as well as numerous products in development within the endocrine rare disease and oncology therapeutic areas.    Dr Jethro Ekuta has 30 years of regulatory affairs and drug safety experience in medium and large pharmaceutical organizations, including having spent time at the FDA. Prior to joining Ascendis, he served as the Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs at Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc (a wholly owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca). Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles at leading pharmaceutical companies such as Horizon Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, Genzyme, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Procter & Gamble. He began his career as a special government employee and fellow in clinical pharmacology in the FDA's Office of Clinical Pharmacology and Biopharmaceutics. Jethro is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS). He holds a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from The University of Mississippi, and a DVM from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria.    C1 Team: Christos Richards  and James Reynolds

Join Calibre One Partners Christos Richards, Harry Greenspun, M.D., and Tom Murphy this coming week from January 13th-16th in meeting with industry leaders who will visit San Francisco for the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. This premier conference is the healthcare industry’s largest and most informative symposium bringing together healthcare and life sciences industry leaders, emerging growth companies, innovative technology creators, and members of the investment community from across the globe. The conference will host a wide range of organizations, from venture-backed startups to mature publicly traded corporations across the global healthcare landscape, including pharmaceutical firms, biotechnology, medical device/med tech communities, and healthcare service providers. While once again held at the historic Westin St Francis, over the past four decades it has expanded to every vibrant meeting location that the city has to offer. Wishing you all a healthy, innovative, and prosperous 2025!

Congratulations to our client, PrivateDoc, on their appointment of Taher Khaliq to the role of Chief Technology Officer. PrivateDoc is a fully regulated digital healthcare and wellness provider specialising in weight loss and treatment plans for various lifestyle health conditions. Operating under the guidance of the Care Quality Commission, PrivateDoc offers a discreet platform designed to support patients with sensitive health concerns—particularly those that may be difficult to discuss with a GP or are not covered by the NHS. C1 Team: Benjamin Wheaton, Antonia Halliday, Anna Naylor and Zach Barker

Congratulations to our client, Tempo Software, on their appointment of Jeff Moloughney to the role of Chief Marketing Officer. Tempo stands at the forefront of strategic roadmap and capacity planning solutions tailored specifically for software engineering and product teams. Tempo is backed by Diversis Capital.   C1 Team: Victoria Lakers, Aanand Varanasi, Adam James, and Amanda C.

Calibre One is honored to have been named one of Hunt Scanlon's Power 70 in Diversity Recruiting. We are proud to work with the builders of great companies, helping them to create diverse and high-performing leadership teams. 

In the fast-paced and competitive world of private equity, there's immense pressure to recruit and retain top-tier executive talent for portfolio companies. This is especially true in the software sector, where innovation and adaptability are crucial for sustained growth and value creation. While a strong resume and track record are important, they only show part of the picture. Private equity firms and their portfolio companies are increasingly recognizing that cultural alignment - the fit of an individual's values, work style, and personality with the organization's culture and what’s needed for the role - is a critical determinant of long-term success. In this article by our Partner, Victoria Lakers, she dives into how to assess cultural alignment in executive hires. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gefr62C3

Congratulations to our client LIV Golf for appointing Denise Taylor as Head of Product & Technology.   LIV Golf is a global sports league featuring individual and team competition, a 14-tournament schedule, and many of the world’s best golfers. Founded in 2021, LIV Golf League was designed to expand the game on an international level and unlock the sport’s true economic and societal potential. With tournaments across North and Latin Americas, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe, LIV Golf is growing and improving the game for fans and golfers alike.   C1 Team: James Flashman-Fox, Luis DeAnda, Sophie Wright, and Debbie Lorell

Congratulations to our client Dufrain on their appointment of Daniel Telling as Chief Growth Officer. Dufrain is a data consultancy delivering services across data engineering, data strategy, data migration, BI & analytics. They are driven by the continual pursuit of exceptional outcomes through data for their clients and celebrate in their success. Dufrain is backed by Phoenix Equity Partners. C1 Team: Hannah Joyce, James Brocket, and Sophie Wright

The recent downturn was particularly problematic for PE investors, many of whom had underperforming portfolios, a lack of liquidity and few new investment opportunities. Yet, despite this turbulence, recent signs suggest that the tech sector is entering a more optimistic phase, as valuations stabilize, and the IPO window begins to reopen. In this transitional period, having the right Chairman and Board becomes even more critical as companies look to speed out of the blocks, and accelerate towards an exit, picking up some lost time in a ten-year fund. In this blog post by Antonia Halliday, a Partner in our UK office, she discusses the importance of the right Chairman and Board for PE-Backed Companies, and learnings from the last two years. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gYKEny37