Private Equity and Principal Investors

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Our established reputation in working with multinational companies and investors make us recognised leaders in our field. As trusted partners, we help our clients identify and address key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and operational risks and opportunities.  We thrive on delivering real value to our clients; transforming their workplace cultures, processes, and capability for sustainable solutions and long-term results across the entire organisation. 

dss+ industry and functional expertise is further enhanced by our acquisition of KKS Advisors.  Through the addition of the experience brought by the KKS team, we integrate academic insights with strategy expertise to deliver solutions that foster systemic change, creating a world where business and investment decisions are made for the long term, take ESG factors into account, and maximise the power of capital to achieve positive impact.   

At dss+, we thrive on delivering real value by transforming workplace cultures, processes, and capabilities for sustainable, long-term results that maximize the power of capital to achieve a positive impact. dss+ is uniquely qualified through: 

50+ years of global operations experience and a strong focus on implementation. 

A strategic approach and proven methodology to reduce risk and accelerate measurable business improvements and returns. 

Enabling sustainable change through strategy, capability building, culture transformation, and people engagement. 

ESG, sustainable finance and operations experts who work with investors and executive teams to create value and manage company and portfolio risk. 

Featured insights

We live in a volatile age. But there’s never been a better opportunity to reshape your actions and create a better world. Explore our thoughts on transformation and best practices in dynamic times.

Private equity firms need to assess the trends that now require them to adopt a more holistic approach and develop a clear vision on ESG evaluation.

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How to address stagnating safety culture & operational alignment in a business landscape that continues to evolve?

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dss+ supported CVC Capital Partners on its acquisition of Clevertech Group through the delivery of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) due diligence.

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Featured case studies

We’ve developed industry best practices and created many of our own proprietary solutions to get our clients to the cutting edge – and keep them there.
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What are your goals?

Whether you are looking to revitalise your internal culture, build the capabilities of your leaders and teams, transform your operational effectiveness or make a positive impact on the environment, we’ll build a customised strategy and work side-by-side to implement it with you.

Improve Safety and Risk Value Protection
Workplace Safety Consulting Process Safety and Asset Integrity Enterprise Risk Management
Transform Culture
dss+ Bradley Curve™ Leading and Communicating Culture Transformation
Maximise Sustainability and ESG Impact
Defining Sustainability Strategy and Roadmap Integrate ESG and Impact into the Investment Process Energy Transition & Decarbonisation
Enhance operations performance
dss+ Humex Full Potential Diagnostics Continuous Improvement
Build Capabilities through Training
Online Learning and Learning Management Learning Workshops: Virtual and Classroom-based learning Custom Solutions
Improve Safety and Risk Value Protection
Transform Culture
Maximise Sustainability and ESG Impact
Enhance operations performance
Build Capabilities through Training

Meet the team

Explore the backgrounds and specialities of the experts who’ll be working with you. 

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Chris Afors
Head of Strategy and Global Head of Private Equity & Principal Investors
Chris has 20+ years of experience in professional services. He started his career in investment banking, advising multinational clients on M&A and capital structure optimisation, then moving to the buy-side where he spent 15 years in private equity investing. He works alongside the leadership team to help drive the long term strategic value of dss+, while also leading the Private Equity & Principal Investors (“PEPI”) team, collaborating closely with colleagues across all Industries and Practices to deliver the best of our services to clients.
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William Hendrickson
Americas Managing Director: Private Equity & Principal Investors
William has 35+ years of experience in industry and professional services. He provides advisory services on merger & acquisitions, due diligence, operational risk management, sustainability, and operational excellence. He partners with leadership teams to help them transform their culture, identify risks, and deliver strategic value creation.
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Giovanni Dragone
Senior Manager: Private Equity & Principal Investors
Giovanni Dragone is a Senior Manager at dss+ with over 15 years of experience in strategy, business development, M&A, and operational transformation. He advises private equity portfolio companies across Europe, helping drive value creation through operational excellence, risk management, and post-merger integration. Combining a consulting background with strong corporate finance expertise, Giovanni has led complex transformation programs, due diligences, and growth initiatives across multiple industries and international markets.
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Panagiota Kovani
Senior Manager: Private Equity & Principal Investors
Panagiota (Giota) Kovani is a Senior Manager at dss+, advising private equity investors and portfolio companies on value creation, operational transformation and transaction-related risk. With more than 15 years of experience across consulting and financial services, she combines deep expertise in operational risk, operating model design and operational excellence with extensive due diligence and portfolio improvement experience. Giota has led operational, ESG and EHS diligence engagements, developed post-acquisition value creation plans and supported management teams in delivering performance improvement, governance enhancements and sustainable EBITDA growth.
/ProfilePage/ProfileImage/AltText
Chris Afors
Head of Strategy and Global Head of Private Equity & Principal Investors
Chris has 20+ years of experience in professional services. He started his career in investment banking, advising multinational clients on M&A and capital structure optimisation, then moving to the buy-side where he spent 15 years in private equity investing. He works alongside the leadership team to help drive the long term strategic value of dss+, while also leading the Private Equity & Principal Investors (“PEPI”) team, collaborating closely with colleagues across all Industries and Practices to deliver the best of our services to clients.
/ProfilePage/ProfileImage/AltText
William Hendrickson
Americas Managing Director: Private Equity & Principal Investors
William has 35+ years of experience in industry and professional services. He provides advisory services on merger & acquisitions, due diligence, operational risk management, sustainability, and operational excellence. He partners with leadership teams to help them transform their culture, identify risks, and deliver strategic value creation.
/ProfilePage/ProfileImage/AltText
Giovanni Dragone
Senior Manager: Private Equity & Principal Investors
Giovanni Dragone is a Senior Manager at dss+ with over 15 years of experience in strategy, business development, M&A, and operational transformation. He advises private equity portfolio companies across Europe, helping drive value creation through operational excellence, risk management, and post-merger integration. Combining a consulting background with strong corporate finance expertise, Giovanni has led complex transformation programs, due diligences, and growth initiatives across multiple industries and international markets.
/ProfilePage/ProfileImage/AltText
Panagiota Kovani
Senior Manager: Private Equity & Principal Investors
Panagiota (Giota) Kovani is a Senior Manager at dss+, advising private equity investors and portfolio companies on value creation, operational transformation and transaction-related risk. With more than 15 years of experience across consulting and financial services, she combines deep expertise in operational risk, operating model design and operational excellence with extensive due diligence and portfolio improvement experience. Giota has led operational, ESG and EHS diligence engagements, developed post-acquisition value creation plans and supported management teams in delivering performance improvement, governance enhancements and sustainable EBITDA growth.