The BVCA appoints Beth Houghton and David Wilmot to its Council
The BVCA is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to the BVCA’s Council, Beth Houghton of Palatine and David Wilmot of Apera.
The BVCA Council is responsible for the oversight of the strategy and management of the affairs of the BVCA. The Council is comprised of representatives of Members and Associate Members of the BVCA from a cross section of the industry, including investors and advisers.
Beth Houghton, Impact Managing Partner at Palatine has a range experience in helping management teams grow businesses that create social and environmental change alongside commercial success. At Palatine Beth’s role includes defining the strategy and process for selecting impact investments, engaging with portfolio companies to drive value creation initiatives and tracking and reporting results to our investors.
David Wilmot, Founding Partner of Apera, will be the first specialist private credit member on the BVCA Council, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Council about this important and growing area of the private capital industry. David has extensive experience in deal origination and portfolio management in the European leveraged finance market.
Both Beth and David will bring a wealth of experience and specialist industry knowledge to the Council, helping guide the BVCA as the association continues to advocate for the private capital industry here in the UK.
Commenting, BVCA Chair Matthew Sabben-Clare, said:
“I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to Beth and David as they join the BVCA Council. Their careers and proven leadership across the private capital landscape will make a significant contribution to the Council’s discussions. As we continue to promote the essential role of private capital in supporting growth and innovation across the UK, their insight and judgement will be of great value.”
Commenting, Beth Houghton, Impact Managing Partner at Palatine said:
“I’m excited and honoured to be joining the BVCA Council. Palatine has long been an active supporter of the BVCA, and I’ve had the privilege of serving on its Responsible Investment Committee for more than five years. This is an important moment for our industry to demonstrate the positive role private equity plays in driving growth across the UK economy.
“I’m particularly passionate about representing both Impact investing and the regions. Too often private equity is seen as concentrated in London and the South East, but the reality is very different. Across the North and beyond, there are outstanding entrepreneurial businesses that deserve recognition and support.
“As leaders in private equity, we have a responsibility to raise the profile of our industry, and to showcase the jobs, wealth creation and societal impact that responsible investment can deliver.”
Commenting, David Wilmot, Founding Partner of Apera said:
“I am honoured to have been appointed as a Council Member of the BVCA. Having actively participated in the BVCA’s Private Credit Forum over the past several years, it has been a privilege to contribute to the development and advocacy of private credit within the UK’s investment and regulatory landscape. At Apera Asset Management, we have been able to demonstrate the central importance of private credit as an alternative source of capital for UK businesses—providing flexible, long-term funding that supports growth, innovation and resilience across a broad range of sectors. I look forward to representing the rapidly growing private credit asset class in the Council’s activities and to furthering its positive contribution to the growth of UK industry in general.”
Notes to Editors:
For further information, please contact:
BVCA Press Office
Email: [email protected]
Background:
About the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association
The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body and public policy advocate for the private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) (private capital) industry in the UK. With a membership of over 600 firms, we represent the vast majority of all UK-based private capital firms, as well as their professional advisers and a large base of UK and global investors. The private equity and venture capital industry has a vital role to play in driving national and regional growth. Currently over 13,000 companies, employing more than 2.5 million people, are backed by private equity and venture capital investment in the UK.
