KKR appoints Kasper Rørsted as Senior Advisor

KKR

Frankfurt, Germany, 4 October 2023 – KKR, a leading global investment firm, has appointed Kasper Rørsted as Senior Advisor to KKR’s Private Equity team. In his role, Kasper will leverage his extensive industry expertise and international network to advise KKR on investment opportunities, while also supporting portfolio companies on adapting to the digital transformation and in capturing global business trends.

Kasper is a seasoned and well-known industry executive in Europe, having worked for international companies for decades. After holding various positions at OracleCompaq and Hewlett-Packard, Kasper served as Chief Executive Offer of two DAX companies for over 14 years – first at Henkel Group, and then most recently at adidas. Under his leadership, adidas expanded its online sales and doubled sales in North America. During his time at Henkel Group, the company’s EBIT rose to the highest level in its 140-year history. In 2023, Kasper was appointed Chairman of the Advisory Board of bicycle company Woom and Independent Member of the Board of Directors of logistics company Maersk, and in 2021 was appointed to the Supervisory Board of Siemens. Kasper has also previously served on the boards of NestléABInBevEcolab and Bertelsmann.

In his role as Senior Advisor to KKR, Kasper will join KKR portfolio company Accell Group, a leading European bicycle company, as Chair of the Supervisory Board. With his deep insights into the European consumer market, Kasper will support Accell Group in accelerating its growth agenda.

Kasper Rørsted, Senior Advisor at KKR, said: “I am excited to be joining KKR as Senior Advisor. KKR and I share a vision of a digital and more sustainable future for our industries, and I’m looking forward to helping make it a reality. I am convinced that by focusing on digital transformation and sustainable growth, we can have a positive impact on society while delivering strong value to companies and investors.”

Philipp Freise, Partner and Co-Head of European Private Equity at KKR, and Christian Ollig, Partner and Head of the DACH region at KKR, commented: “At KKR, we have always valued advisors with a proven ability to navigate the complexities of various industries and identify new investment opportunities. With his innovative mindset and impressive leadership skills, Kasper has become one of the most influential CEOs in this market. We are thrilled to welcome him to KKR. His unique insights and industry knowledge will play a pivotal role in identifying new opportunities for growth and driving value creation within our investments.”

KKR has been investing across the DACH region for over 20 years, primarily through strategic partnership deals such as in Axel SpringerContaboGetYourGuide, Körber’s supply chain business, Scout24 Switzerland and SoftwareOne.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

Media Contacts KKR

Germany

FGS Global
Thea Bichmann
Mobile: +49 (0) 172 13 99 761
Email: kkr_germany@fgsglobal.com

Fabian Prietzel
Mobile: +49 (0) 171 86 01 411
Email: kkr_germany@fgsglobal.com

Categories: People

Marry de Gaay Fortman joins Conclusion’s Board of Directors

NPM Capital

Marry de Gaay Fortman joins Conclusion’s Board of Directors

As of October 1st, Marry de Gaay Fortman has been appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of Business Transformation and IT service provider, Conclusion Group B.V. In this role, she, along with other members, will be responsible for overseeing the organization. The Board of Directors also includes Gerrit Oosterhof (Chairman), Stepan Breedveld, and Bart Coopmans.

 

An expert in Governance and Oversight

De Gaay Fortman’s background complements the profiles of other members of Conclusion’s Board of Directors. As a lawyer and a partner at Houthoff, where she served as managing partner for six years, she specializes in governance and oversight. She was instrumental in the establishment of Topvrouwen.nl, now known as SER Topvrouwen and a part of the SER Diversity and Inclusion program. The foundation’s goal is to increase the representation of women in top positions within Dutch business. Additionally, De Gaay Fortman holds various non-executive board roles, including serving as a commissioner at De Nederlandsche Bank. With Conclusion’s international strategy and strong (financial) growth, De Gaay Fortman’s expertise is precisely what the Board of Directors needs to provide guidance and oversight for the company in the next phase.

 

Gerrit Oosterhof, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Conclusion Group B.V., stated, “With Marry’s knowledge, experience and diverse network, we have a director who can be of great value to the further development of our organization. We have a balanced portfolio and an international strategy, including the ambition to provide nearshore services. Our vision of a successful future aligns with Marry, and I look forward to our collaboration.”

 

Marry de Gaay Fortman on her appointment, “I feel at home with a company that assists others in their innovation transition while maintaining a strong ESG commitment. With my experience, I hope to quickly make a contribution to further the national and international growth of Conclusion.”

Categories: People

Qred, backed by Nordic Capital, becomes Europe’s newest bank and welcomes Mattias Carlsson as Chair of the Board

Nordic Capital
  • Qred, Sweden’s fastest growing fintech company, activates its banking license and becomes Europe’s newest bank for small businesses
  • In addition, Qred re-appoints Mattias Carlsson as the Chair of the Board

Qred, Sweden’s fastest growing fintech company according to the Financial Times, is thrilled to announce that the banking license the company acquired in May is now activated and the company is officially a bank. In addition to this, Qred is re-appointing Mattias Carlsson, former long-standing CEO of TF Bank, as Chair of the Board.

Qred is now able to offer savings accounts to private consumers with competitive rates, which will allow the company to offer even more competitive terms to its customers. The company will also be able to expand its range of services, offering even more comprehensive financial solutions to its customers. This license acknowledges the company’s dedication to providing accessible and tailored financial products to small businesses.

“Becoming Europe’s newest bank for small businesses is a significant achievement for Qred. It demonstrates our commitment to powering our customer segment with the financial tools they need to succeed. This milestone allows us to enhance our product offerings and provide our customers with an even greater level of financial support. I’m looking forward to showing the small businesses of Europe what a bank should be like,” said Emil Sunvisson, CEO of Qred.

In addition to becoming a bank, Qred is proud to announce that Mattias Carlsson has once again been elected as Chair of the Board. Carlsson was the Chair at Qred between 2018 and 2021, and has over fifteen years of experience in the fintech and banking sectors, having been the CEO of TF Bank as well as the Chair at both Hoist Finance and BB Bank ASA.

Sunvisson added: “We’re thrilled to see Mattias Carlsson back on our board. His extensive experience and deep industry knowledge is invaluable in guiding our strategic direction and ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation in the financial sector. I also want to thank Per Widerström for his hard work and dedication during his time on the board.”

“I am honoured by the trust placed in me through this re-election to Qred’s Board. I’m excited to continue contributing to Qred’s mission of powering businesses with innovative financial solutions. Together, we’ll navigate the path ahead, driving growth and ultimately becoming the leading small business bank in Europe,” said Mattias Carlsson.

Mattias Carlsson’s appointment is effective as of October 2nd, 2023 and he assumes the role after Per Widerström, who resigned due to a new CEO role.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Romander
Head of Brand & Communications, Qred
andrea.romander@qred.com

About Qred
Founded in 2015 by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, Qred is Sweden’s fastest growing fintech company according to the Financial Times. Qred is the market leader in the Nordic region and has Sweden’s most satisfied customers according to Trustpilot. With operations in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Brazil, Belgium and Norway, Qred has helped more than 25,000 companies. Qred’s fully automated, proprietary credit scoring system allows it to quickly and competitively provide business owners with the power they need to grow.

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Aurelius appoints Helene Schutrumpf as Director of Fundraising and Investor Relations

Aurelius Capital

London, October 2, 2023 – AURELIUS is delighted to announce the hiring of Helene Schutrumpf to lead their fundraising and investor relations. Helene is based in the UK, will be supporting AURELIUS’s future private equity fund vintages and is currently working with the private debt business.

AURELIUS has been growing significantly in recent years and now has EUR 11 bn in group revenues and more than 300 professionals working out of 10 offices across Europe and North America, including over 150 operating specialists. The growth is across all of its business lines as well as geographically, and the firm is opening an office in New York in late 2023.

“I’m excited to join this prestigious firm at a compelling inflection point as we are shifting the capital base and opening up product lines to external investors. AURELIUS has consistently generated strong returns through applying a fundamentally focussed operational approach to investments with robust downside protection, which is always in demand”, said Helene Schutrumpf.

AURELIUS has delivered top decile returns since 2005, showcasing its consistency throughout various market cycles. Its operating taskforce ensures that a structured methodology is applied to complex investments, which aims to transform companies through improving operational efficiencies and driving growth to deliver returns.

The private debt business, AURELIUS Finance Company (AFC) makes asset-based loans to UK mid-market companies, delivering superior risk-adjusted-returns with robust downside protection.

“In the current uncertain market environment, we’re seeing the appeal of having physical assets as security for loans. We enjoy the entrepreneurial opportunity of being an early mover in this underserved space”, said Helene.

“We’re excited to have Helene join us as we continue to grow from our beginnings as a small German house into a global mid-market player”, said Dirk Markus, Co-Founder of AURELIUS.

Helene started her career as a proprietary trader at Merrill Lynch and has spent the last 12 years as a placement agent, raising capital globally for private equity, private credit and real estate funds. She has a degree in Economics from Yale University.

Categories: People

HLD strengthens its presence in Italy with the appointment of Marco Bernardi

HLD
Groupe HLD, a European investment group, is strengthening its commitment in Italy with the appointment of Marco Bernardi as Partner, in charge of HLD’s activities in Italy, effective from September 1st , 2023. With 15 years’ experience in the Italian private equity sector, Marco Bernardi will support HLD’s development in Italy by providing his market knowledge and know-how. HLD has been operating in Italy since 2017, through 3 investments: M-Cube, a leading European company in digital in-store marketing solutions, S3K, a leading Italian company in integrated cybersecurity solutions, and C.B.G. Acciai, a major producer of premium steel band saw blades
SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
TEAM AND ORGANIZATION
HLD

 

Categories: People

Anavo Therapeutics Strengthens Management Team

M Ventures

The company appoints industry veteran Shaun McNulty as Chief Scientific Officer and welcomes R&D expert Anna Quattropani as Senior Vice President of Chemistry & Non-Clinical Development

Anavo Therapeutics, a global leader in unlocking the full therapeutic potential of phosphatase biology, announced the appointment of Shaun McNulty, DPhil, as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and the appointment of Anna Quattropani, PhD, as Senior Vice President of Chemistry and Non-Clinical Development. Dr. McNulty will oversee the implementation of Anavo’s strategy from discovery into clinical development and, together with Dr. Quattropani and Anavo’s management team, the continued design of Anavo’s first- and best-in-class phosphatase-targeting allosteric modulators.

“We are fortunate to welcome Anna and Shaun to the Anavo team at this stage of our company’s growth,” said Birgit Zech, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Anavo Therapeutics. “Anna and Shaun’s industry knowledge and R&D experience will support Anavo’s progress in creating a proprietary portfolio of therapeutic programs and establishing a robust platform for phosphatase targeting across multiple indications.”

Shaun McNulty, DPhil, has more than 30 years of experience in the biopharma industry, with a focus on designing and developing therapeutics in oncology. He has served as Chief Scientific Officer at companies utilizing novel approaches in biology and chemistry, including Biosceptre, Inflection Biosciences and Awakn Life Sciences. He has led scientific R&D teams for companies such as Charles River, GSK, Pfizer and Syntaxin. Through his many roles, Dr. McNulty has supported the clinical development of Neurontin and Lyrica, obtained regulatory clearance for 5 drug candidates to enter the clinic, and identified and refined over 50 candidates for pre-clinical development. Dr. McNulty holds a DPhil in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of York in the UK and performed post-doctoral research at the University of Cambridge on kinase-mediated neuronal cell signaling.

“Anna and Shaun’s industry knowledge and R&D experience will support Anavo’s progress in creating a proprietary portfolio of therapeutic programs and establishing a robust platform for phosphatase targeting across multiple indications.”

Birgit Zech, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Anavo Therapeutics.

“Anavo’s IGNITE platform uniquely enables the rapid identification and development of therapeutics targeting phosphatases, initially thought to be undruggable targets,” said Dr. McNulty. “I am excited to join the Anavo team as we continue to accelerate our proprietary portfolio of programs targeting disease-relevant phosphatases toward clinical development and to build out our next-generation approach for phosphatase targeting.”

Anna Quattropani, PhD, joins Anavo with over 20 years of experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. She has a successful track record designing multiple clinical candidates and driving them from discovery through clinical development. Dr. Quattropani has been working in diverse therapeutic areas, including neurodegenerative, inflammatory, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as women’s health. She has held senior leadership roles at Asceneuron and Draupnir and R&D roles at Serono and Merck KGaA. Dr. Quattropani is the inventor of several clinical molecules such as the O-GlcNAcase inhibitors ASN90 and ASN51 for neurodegenerative diseases and the oxytocin receptor antagonist Nolasiban. She obtained her PhD and MS in organic synthesis and organometallic chemistry at University of Geneva, Switzerland followed by postdoctoral training at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Quattropani is the inventor of 49 patents and the author of 21 peer-reviewed publications.

“I am very proud to join Anavo’s outstanding team and help accelerate the discovery and development of phosphatase-targeting allosteric modulators to provide potential alternative therapeutic solutions for patients,” said Dr. Quattropani.

Anavo’s former CSO Gerhard Müller, PhD, joins the Scientific Advisory Board to continue contributing to the board’s drug discovery and development.

Categories: People

KKR appoints Kimberly A. Ross as new independent Director

KKR

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR) today announced that Kimberly A. Ross has been appointed to the Board of Directors of KKR & Co. Inc. (the “Company” and, together with its subsidiaries, “KKR”) effective September 20, 2023. Her appointment will bring the number of independent directors to ten out of a total of fourteen Board seats.

KKR Appoints Kimberly A. Ross as New Independent Director (Photo: Business Wire)

Ms. Ross is the former Chief Financial Officer of several public companies, including WeWork Inc., Baker Hughes Company, Avon Products, Inc., and Royal Ahold N.V.
The Company’s other independent directors include Adriane Brown (Managing Partner of Flying Fish Partners), Matthew Cohler (former General Partner at Benchmark), Mary Dillon (President and Chief Executive Officer of Foot Locker, Inc.), Arturo Gutiérrez Hernández (Chief Executive Officer of Arca Continental, S.A.B. de C.V.), Dane Holmes (Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eskalera, Inc.), Xavier Niel (Founder and Chairman of the Board of Iliad SA), Patricia Russo (former Chief Executive Officer of Alcatel-Lucent), Robert Scully (former member of the Office of the Chairman of Morgan Stanley), and Evan Spiegel (Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Snap Inc.).
About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

Contacts
Investor Relations:
Craig Larson
Tel: +1-877-610-4910 (U.S.) / +1-212-230-9410
investor-relations@kkr.com
Media:
Kristi Huller
Tel: +1-212-750-8300
media@kkr.com

Categories: People

Mr Lawrence Wong appointed as Deputy Chairman of the GIC Board

GIC

Singapore, September 25, 2023 – GIC announces the appointment of Mr Lawrence Wong, currently GIC Director, as Deputy Chairman. The appointment is effective 1 October 2023.

Mr Wong has been a GIC Director and Chairman of the Investment Strategies Committee (ISC) since 1 November 2018 and 7 July 2023 respectively. As Deputy Chairman, Mr Wong will assist the Chairman to lead the Board in overseeing GIC’s long-term asset allocation and portfolio performance.

Mr Wong is currently Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. He is the Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and Chairman of Singapore Economic Development Board’s International Advisory Council. He is also a member of the Future Economy Council, the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council and the National Research Foundation Board.

Categories: People

UltiMaker appoints Michiel Alting von Geusau as CEO

NPM Capital

UltiMaker appoints Michiel Alting von Geusau as CEO

UltiMaker, the global leader in desktop 3D printing, announced it has appointed Michiel Alting von Geusau as Chief Executive Officer, replacing Nadav Goshen who is leaving to pursue a new endeavor. This change is effective as of September 4, 2023.

 

Ultimaker and MakerBot, two desktop 3D printing companies, merged last year to form UltiMaker. With a wide range of cutting-edge 3D printing solutions, including the popular S and Method series, UltiMaker is paving the way for innovation across industries. UltiMaker also offers the MakerBot sub-brand and the Sketch series, dedicated to advancing 3D printing education in the classroom.

 

“Nadav was integral in building the foundation of UltiMaker post merger, and we are excited to now have Michiel as our leader in this next phase of the company,” says Bart Markus, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “Michiel is a seasoned and results-oriented leader with extensive experience in driving growth within technology companies.”

 

Michiel was previously the CEO and CFO of Docdata N.V., where he transformed the company and led its sale to Ingram Micro Commerce & Fulfillment. At Ingram Micro, Michiel was Global President for the business unit Commerce and Lifecycle Services. Throughout his career, Michiel has led the acquisition and seamless integration of multiple companies globally.

 

“I am honored to become the CEO of UltiMaker and grow the adoption of 3D printing across the globe,” says Michiel Alting von Geusau. “UltiMaker is a market leader with easy-to-use and accessible desktop 3D printing solutions for any application. I look forward to leading this innovative company with a bright future and industry leading products.”

Categories: People

CVC announces new Chief People Officer

CVC Capital Partners

Helene Thomas, Global Head of HR, is retiring. Since joining CVC in 2008, Helene has played an important role establishing our HR programmes that underpin CVC’s success as a leading global private markets manager. On behalf of the CVC Board, we thank Helene for her outstanding contribution and wish her the best for her retirement.

We are delighted to welcome Katharina Koenig to CVC as Chief People Officer and Partner.

Katharina will lead the HR strategy for our team of over 1,000 people across seven platforms and 29 offices, ensuring we continue to recruit, retain and develop the best talent in the industry. Katharina joins us from Goldman Sachs.

Categories: People