Mark Florman appointed as new BVCA Chief Executive

The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association has named Mark Florman (pictured right) as its new Chief Executive. He will succeed Simon Walker, who had held the post since October 2007, in mid-March.

Mark joins the BVCA after a thirty year career in business, including the private equity sector, and an involvement in an array of political, cultural and charitable activities. He started his career with The Northern Trust Bank of Chicago before joining County Bank and then Enskilda Securities. In 1992, Mark created and was CEO of Maizels, Westerberg and Co. which became one of the leading independent investment banks in Europe, specialising in corporate rescue and M&A advice. He sold the company in 2000 to create ArosMaizels, one of the largest investment banks in the Nordic region, where he was the COO. From 2001 to 2008, Mark was a Senior Principal at Doughty Hanson, the private equity and venture capital business. He was Vice Chairman and then Chairman of LM Glasfiber, now the world's leading manufacturer of blades and components for the wind turbine industry.

Away from his business activities, Mark has been a Senior Deputy Treasurer of the Conservative Party and last year became Chairman of the Centre for Social Justice, a think-tank which pioneers new approaches to combat poverty at home and abroad (and an organisation which he co-founded in 2004). Allied to this, he remains non-executive vice chairman of 8 Miles, a new private equity business for Africa. Mark's interest in that continent is long-standing. In 2004, he founded Build a School in Africa, completing the development of over 100 primary schools in East Africa. He is on the board of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and is an Ambassador of the Royal Albert Hall.

Announcing the appointment, Hugh Lenon, Chairman of the BVCA and Managing Partner of Phoenix Equity Partners, said:

"In his three years at the helm of the BVCA, Simon Walker has transformed the standing of the private equity sector and has been a ceaseless champion of venture capital. We are delighted to have found such a distinguished figure, with an extraordinary array of experiences, to succeed him. I know that Mark Florman will be a really strong standard-bearer for our exciting and important industry."

Mark Florman said:

"The next few years will be crucial for the fortunes of the UK economy. I believe that a sustained recovery requires the UK to develop its venture capital sector further and to support its entrepreneurs. The BVCA and its members are central to these efforts. I look forward to providing the private equity and venture capital sector with energetic leadership in pursuit of its objectives."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Tim Hames, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, BVCA

+44 (0)20 7420 1840

Hugh Lenon, Chairman, BVCA

+44 (0)20 7434 6987

Notes to editors:

The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. The BVCA has over 450 member firms, representing the overwhelming number of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers.

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BVCA NEW CEO ANNOUNCEMENT