New EVCA chairman

Sir David Cooksey was named as the new chairman of the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA) at the EVCA Symposium on June 15.

Sir David, chairman of Advent Venture Partners and founding chairman of the BVCA, takes over from Herman Daems, chairman of Belgian firm GIMV, who held the position from June 2004.

In his new role, Sir David will focus on removing national regulatory, legal and fiscal impediments for private equity and venture capital investment; increasing the awareness of the industry at a European policy level and defending its specific interests; improving investors’ understanding of private equity and, specifically, venture capital; and building on the self regulation and professional standards within the industry.

Commenting on his election, Sir David said: “The next twelve months will be exceedingly busy for EVCA in the light of the wider economic developments in Europe. We need to continue to show the unique strengths and benefits of our industry and the role that it plays in both national and European economies to a wide variety of audiences – regulators, investors and the business community. I would like to contribute to making Europe a more benign place in which to undertake private equity and venture capital investment and instill a better understanding of what is it we do and how that benefits businesses and economies.

“The industry today is strong and has now, in a number of European countries, reached maturity underpinned by experienced and accomplished practitioners, and supported by a framework of self regulation which EVCA continually reviews and updates.”

Also confirmed at the Annual General Assembly of EVCA was the election of Javier Loizaga, executive partner at the Spanish-based private equity firm, Mercapital, as chairman-elect (for the period June 2005 to June 2006). Mr Loizaga’s appointment as chairman will be voted on at the next Symposium in Monaco, 14-16 June 2006.