Executive moves, week of Nov. 16, 2009

Silver heads to DOE

Jonathan Silver

has been named executive director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s loan program. He was a co-founding managing director of Core Capital Partners, before leaving in 2008. His new post is set to begin on Nov. 16.

Accel adds Gibson as venture partner

Martin Gibson

has joined Accel Partners as a venture partner in the firm’s London office. He had previously been a London-based partner with Atlas Venture, but left earlier this year as a part of a personnel restructuring after Atlas closed its eighth fund below target.

Solamere hires Scott

Lee Scott

, former president and CEO of Wal-Mart, has joined Boston-based buyout firm Solamere Capital as an operating partner and member of the firm’s investment committee. He had joined Wal-Mart in 1979 as an assistant director in the company’s logistics division and served as president and CEO for nine years until leaving in February.

Collins joins Roark

James Collins

has joined Roark Capital Group as a vice president focused on franchise investments. He previously was a principal with Stone Tower Equity Partners.

Chairman leaves Apax in Asia

Max Burger-Calderon retired as chairman of Apax Partners’ Asia operations. He plans to serve as part-time non-executive chairman and will not be succeeded in his fulltime role. Dow Jones reported that Michael Prahl has also left Apax, where he focused on retail and consumer investing out of the firm’s Hong Kong office.

In April, Apax opened an office in Shanghai, its first Chinese mainland subsidiary following the opening of its Hong Kong subsidiary in 2005.

Lui lands at SB China

Tim Lui

has joined SB China Venture Capital as a managing partner. He previously was executive vice president of Tongfang Co. Ltd., and general manager of its digital media group.

PureTech boosts staff

John LaMattina

, former president of Pfizer’s global R&D efforts, has joined PureTech Ventures as a senior partner. PureTech also promoted Eric Elenko and Steve Muniz to partner.

Axel to drive new mezz fund at Southfield

Steven Axel

has joined private equity firm Southfield Capital Advisors as head of a new mezzanine fund, which is expected to be licensed as an SBIC and begin investing next year. He previously was a managing director with Calvert Street Capital Partners.

Permira promotes Vauchy

Permira announced several changes to its Paris office. Benoit Vauchy will take over as head of the office, following Philippe Robert’s retirement at the end of the year. Jean-Marc Espalioux, chairman and CEO of Financière Agache Private Equity, will join as a senior advisor. Also, Simon Marc, who was previously with Candover Investments and Apax Partners, will join as a principal.

Fondinvest names partner

Catherine Lewis La Torre

has been named a partner with Fondinvest Capital, a Paris, France-based fund-of-funds manager. She previously was a founding partner of Proventure, a fund-of-funds manager focused on the European middle markets.

Apposite Capital adds Shiozaki

Eric Shiozaki has joined health care-focused venture firm Apposite Capital as an associate director in its San Francisco office. He previously was with Burrill & Co.