TriVista, a global consulting firm for private equity firms with expertise in manufacturing, distribution and consumer goods, has launched an IT & Operations Technology practice.
The new service combines TriVista’s broad technology expertise and deep operational experience to provide clients with a business-specific view of opportunities and risks, while optimising investments related to IT.
The IT & Operations Technology practice is focused on identifying concerns as well as opportunities for prospective investors, such as whether existing applications are scalable to support planned growth, how much exposure there is related to cyber-attacks, if existing leadership can effectively manage significant IT investments, and determining if the company is at risk for unplanned IT investments.
“In the current environment, meaningful IT due diligence is an increasingly important and specialised element of all transactions,” says Mike McSweeney, Senior Managing Director at TriVista. “Our IT & Operations Technology practice will support a growing need among our clients, helping them to limit their exposure to risk while optimising their investments in IT.”
TriVista also announced the hiring of Katherine Kost as a Managing Director and head of the new practice, overseeing the IT Due Diligence, Merger Integration, and Operations Technology teams. A former senior global operating executive, Kost has significant hands-on experience leading IT due diligence and technology consulting engagements with private equity and executive clients.
“Katherine brings a wealth of global operations, M&A and integration experience to this new role, and we are very pleased to welcome her to TriVista,” says McSweeney. “With her unique understanding of the business-specific impact of IT, Katherine, and her team, will be able to identify the risks and opportunities particular to each situation, ultimately leading to better, more informed decisions.”
Prior to joining TriVista, Kost served as Chief Information Officer at Meggitt, PLC for 10 years, responsible for building an IT due diligence and post-acquisition integration strategy while overseeing the firm’s global technology platform. In that role, Kost supported the acquisition and integration of more than 10 businesses. Prior to Meggitt, Kost held operations and technology-focused consulting roles at AT Kearney and Ernst & Young. She began her career at Nissan Motor Corporation.
