Gavin R.

Gavin has 30 years’ experience in equity investments, of which the last 15 as a private equity fund manager dedicated to emerging markets. The private equity investments he has managed have generated an average return of over 40%, putting him in the top quartile of fund managers. The deal sizes have been in the range of $2-20m; and have mainly focused on growth and infrastructure investments. He has experience of private equity investments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Gavin is currently head of private equity at Banca Transilvania, the second largest bank in Romania; as well as the EBRD appointed Board Member of Victoriabanca, one of the largest banks in the Republic of Moldova. Previous experience includes: Managing Director of Clean Economic Energy AG, a renewable energy asset manager with €2.5bn under management; where he was responsible for fundraising and the Middle East and African markets; and directed the work of an investment team of 15 people. Managing Director of a $200m growth fund for Soros Fund Management and the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation. The fund focussed on Central & Eastern Europe and invested in financial services, telecoms, cable TV, breweries. The fund was extremely successful and was involved in several landmark PE transactions in the region. Director of an Advent International $30m country fund; which counted among its investors the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Finance Corporation and major European banking groups. Gavin also serves as an Advisor and Trainer to emerging markets PE funds and Limited Partners. Past and present clients include Abu Dhabi Investment Council, Tatweer Holding (Saudi Arabia), Brunei Investment Agency, Commonwealth Development Corporation, African Development Bank, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (a UN Agency), African Capital Alliance, the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission. Gavin specialises in the assessment and strengthening of private equity management teams in emerging markets; and in techniques for managing a private equity portfolio. He served on the Board of Directors of several of the portfolio companies in which his funds invested, including a national TelCo, a cable TV company and banks. He has been giving courses for the last fifteen years as a side activity, on the topic of private equity in emerging markets. He is the resident instructor of the foundation private equity course at the banking academy of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. His previous professional experience includes HSBC Investment Bank, the British Foreign Office, Nomura International and Price Waterhouse. He has MA in Engineering from Cambridge University and an MBA from McGill University. He speaks fluently English, French, Italian, Romanian, Serbo-Croatian.