Wilson named new EVCA chair

Apax partner Richard Wilson has been appointed the 26th chairman of the European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (EVCA).

He succeeds 3i’s Jonathan Russell into the annually revolving hotseat, where he will chair the new public affairs executive, which is responsible for the industry’s stance on the proposed AIFM Directive.

Laying out his vision for the new role, Wilson said: “I believe it is time to deliver on several fronts: first, we must substantiate the benefits of EVCA’s new governance structure, ensuring that it effectively and efficiently serves the industry. An immediate test of this will be our continuing engagement in the AIFMD process. Second, we need to communicate better the rich variety of services available to our members and deliver further value with new services that are in the pipeline. Finally, we must ensure that the important role played by private equity and venture capital in the real economy is backed by rigorous data. Our industry has a great story to tell. We will make sure that it is told.”

Wilson joined Apax Partners in 1996 and is chairman of its technology and telecoms advisory board. Deals he has worked in include Weather Investments, TDC, Inmarsat, Mobifon, Jazztel and Autonomy.

He graduated from Cambridge University, with an MBA from INSEAD, Wilson began his career with Marconi Space Systems before joining technology consultants, Scientific Generics. He is also a council member of the British Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (BVCA).

He is married with three children and enjoys travel and all sport, particularly golf. He is a member of the Investment Committee of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge and a Trustee of The Apax Foundation.