The Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) welcomed five distinguished professionals to its board at an annual general meeting held earlier this week. Darshan Daya, Edmund Higenbottam, Liz Kolobe, Ria Papier, and Nicola Gubb have officially assumed their roles as board members, marking a significant milestone in the association’s leadership landscape.
In a statement, Lelo Rantloane, chairperson of SAVCA and executive director of Ata Capital, expressed his enthusiasm about the new appointments.
Our five new board members were chosen based on their exceptional skills, extensive industry experience, and unique perspectives. Their arrival couldn’t be timelier, given the pivotal role private markets play in our economy. We are confident that their diverse backgrounds will enrich our board’s strategic vision and contribute significantly to the growth of private equity and venture capital in the region.
Darshan Daya, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the private equity sector, brings a wealth of knowledge gained from working in large-cap buyout funds and co-founding Capitalworks in 2006. His deep understanding of the industry’s challenges and opportunities will be instrumental in shaping SAVCA’s initiatives.
Edmund Higenbottam, a veteran investment banker and private capital fund manager, has a rich background spanning London, Johannesburg, Lagos, and Dubai. He played a key role in designing and deploying Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund, a $100 million fund focusing on digitally enabled MSE lenders and inclusive financial institutions across Africa.
Liz Kolobe, a principal at Agile Capital, possesses over 13 years of experience in private equity. Her expertise lies in advising and executing transactions across various sectors, including water, mining services, media, financial services, and energy. Her dedication to meaningful industry transformation is poised to make a significant impact on SAVCA’s initiatives.
Ria Papier, the client director at Old Mutual Private Equity (OMPE), has a robust background in investment banking spanning 19 years. Her expertise in fundraising, investor relations, and diverse sector engagement positions her as a valuable asset to SAVCA. She is committed to advocating for the transformative potential of private equity within the broader financial services industry.
Nicola Gubb, with over 25 years of investment and corporate finance experience, possesses a unique focus on BBBEE and gender lens investing. Her extensive board experience in financial services, media, wholesale fuel supply, and private education aligns perfectly with SAVCA’s vision of fostering transformative change within the private equity sector.
The outgoing board members, Richard Rose, Yvonne Maitin, Rory Ord, Andrea Bohmert, and Thiru Pather, were lauded for their outstanding contributions. Their wealth of experience and dedication has played a pivotal role in positioning venture capital and private equity as attractive opportunities for investors.
Acknowledging the departing members, Rantloane stated, “The impact of their contributions is highly appreciated and has become a key part of our development as the industry’s association, enabling us to position both venture capital and private equity as key opportunities for investors.”
The association also expressed gratitude to Tshepiso Kobile, who assumed the role of CEO in November 2022, and Mandlakazi Gcasamba, the newly appointed executive responsible for operations. Recognition was given to Shelley Lotz and Manusha Parshotum (former operations executive) for their exceptional commitment, which significantly contributed to the organization’s success in the last financial year.
