6QQMB312 – Private Equity Individual Coursework-Part 1 – Investment Paper (75%, up to 2,250 words) You are required to assume the role of an executive in a private equity (PE) firm and write an abridged investment pape

ByJamez

6QQMB312 – Private Equity

Individual Coursework (100% of Module Grade)

Lead Instructor: Anthony Gahan
Instructor Email: anthony.gahan@kcl.ac.uk

Submission Deadline:

  • KEATS by 10:00 AM, Thursday 18th December 2025

Submission Checklist

  1. File saved as: [ModuleCode_CandidateNumber]
  2. Word count: 3,500 words
  3. File format: .docx

Assessment Overview

This assessment has two components:

Part 1 – Investment Paper (75%, up to 2,250 words)

You are required to assume the role of an executive in a private equity (PE) firm and write an abridged investment paper recommending a buyout.

Key Instructions:

  • Write as if addressing PE colleagues who are familiar with private equity.
  • Focus on commercial and technical aspects, not on explaining PE theory.
  • Select your company from the list provided in the module (do not choose other companies).
  • Assume the company is private, family-owned, and debt-free at acquisition.

Content Requirements:

  1. Introduction/Executive Summary
  2. Commercial Opportunity – your proposed business plan post-investment
  3. Market Context
  4. Risks
  5. Valuation and Investment Returns – using the simple buyout returns model provided
  6. Exit Options

Notes:

  • Include original thought on growth opportunities.
  • Focus on valuation, risk, transaction structure, management incentives, and investor returns.
  • Do not create additional financial models; only use the template provided.

Part 2 – Academic Reflection (25%, up to 1,250 words)

Critically evaluate your Part 1 investment using an academic and contextual lens.

Instructions:

  • Shift perspective to that of an academic finance scholar.
  • Focus on two of the following four topics:
    1. Capital structure and leverage
    2. Creation, capture, and destruction of value
    3. Corporate governance: management incentives and boards
    4. Realization of value: information asymmetry, market timing, and PE exit

Content Requirements:

  • Demonstrate critical thinking and application of module knowledge.
  • Discuss implications for your chosen company/sector and wider societal/business context.
  • Use proper name-year referencing format and include a bibliography for sources cited.

Module Learning Outcomes Assessed

  1. Understanding private equity and investment approach
  2. Commercial analysis of target buyouts and application of original thought
  3. Academic and contextual understanding of private equity

General Submission Requirements

  • File format: .docx
  • Word count: 3,500 words (Part 1 = 2,250; Part 2 = 1,250)
  • Word count excludes diagrams, tables, headings, and references.
  • Part 1: No academic references required
  • Part 2: References required if using academic/non-academic sources

Important:

  • Proofread before submission; errors will negatively affect your grade.
  • Late submissions will not be accepted.

Assessment Support

  • Tutorials: Case studies will help guide your understanding of Part 1 and Part 2.
  • Guidance/Revision Sessions:
    • 11th November 2025, 6 PM – Strand S-2.18
    • 16th December 2025, 4 PM – BH Auditorium (N0)

Marking Criteria

Criterion Weighting Notes
Understanding of Private Equity 25% Demonstrate knowledge of PE investment process
Logical, holistic investment case (Part 1) / incisive academic analysis (Part 2) 30% Use relevant data points and apply critical thinking
Original thought 30% Creativity and insight in both commercial and academic components
Presentation & Business English 15% Clarity, professionalism, grammar, and structure

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