It's not just financial numbers that private equity (PE) firms dabble in these days. In times of scarce leadership/CXO talent, PEs are adapting to a new skill in human resource management, and they are putting it to good use. Make no mistake. PEs, which are not big employers themselves, are sharpening their hiring skills for companies in which they have invested. In effect, some of the firms are acting like de facto head hunters, building CXO pipelines, training and mentoring them and also offering job rotations within the universe of investee companies. "It is not that we merely provide funds to pick up a stake in a company. Our role starts after that, in scaling up the business and further building the organization," said Sanjay Nayar, CEO, KKR India, who believes the firm's MNC background and its lineage in the PE space helps attract talent at investee companies. "We may not be specialist in every area but our pedigree and background helps. We can recommend CXOs whom we know. Or, if the portfolio companies have zeroed in on a particular candidate, we can help with the due-diligence and selection process," said Nayar.

Read the Economic Times news report here.