A structure commonly employed in leveraged buyout transactions provides key personnel within a portfolio company with a financial stake in the business’s success. This arrangement aims to align the interests of executives with those of the investment firm, typically granting them a percentage of profits realized upon a successful exit. The specific design can vary, but it often involves granting stock options, restricted stock, or other equity-linked compensation tied to performance metrics and value creation.
The use of these arrangements serves to motivate leadership to drive operational improvements, enhance profitability, and ultimately increase the enterprise value of the acquired company. This, in turn, can result in a more lucrative return for the investment firm. Historically, the implementation of such plans has been shown to contribute significantly to the overall success of leveraged buyouts by fostering a culture of ownership and accountability among the management team.