PE & VC Group: The impact of European politics on alternative investments

PE & VC Group
The impact of European politics on alternative investments
Thursday 26 September

Sponsored by Debevoise & Plimpton

Since the beginning of the year, private equity investors have had to navigate the volatility created by the European elections, Brexit, the rise of nationalism and extremism in Europe, Italian politics, French Gilets Jaunes and more. Are these opportunities or threats? What has been the investors' approach and how have they changed or adapted their models? What is the outlook for alternative investments in Europe? This is what our speakers, leading European investors, will cover.

Andrew Dowler is a Partner at Greenbrook Communications. He has more than 30 years of communications and public affairs experience working on high-profile mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and private equity deals. Previously, Andrew was a managing director at Blackstone, responsible for the public positioning of the firm and its investment platforms across Europe. He began his career as a political researcher and speechwriter and has a BSc in Politics from the University of Southampton.

Dana Haimoff is Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Private Equity Group at JPMorgan Asset Management. She began her private equity career as an analyst at Prudential Securities in New York. Following an MBA from Columbia University she spent six years at Merrill Lynch’s Investment Bank’s private equity placement group. Since 2002, Dana has worked for JPMorgan Asset Management, responsible for all aspects of private equity investing including primary, secondary and direct investments as well as client responsibility. She sits on the PEG’s Global Investment Committee, EMEA GIM Committee and has chaired JPM’s GIM’s Managing Director selection committee. She is an active WIN supporter.

Ben Langworth is Senior Managing Director and Co-Head Europe for Centerbridge. Ben joined Centerbridge in 2006 and co-leads the firm’s London office, where he oversees all private equity activities in Europe. Ben focuses on investments in the financial services and related sectors. Prior to joining Centerbridge, Ben was an Associate of Soros Fund Management. He was also a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Groups of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Credit Suisse First Boston. Ben is on the Boards of Directors of Banca Farmafactoring S.p.A., Cepal Holdings S.A., Frans Bonhomme SA and Resort Finance America.

Moderator: Katherine Ashton, Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Dual-qualified in England and the United States, Kate is a corporate partner with a broad international practice, including experience in Europe and the United States in private equity transactions, corporate finance, debt and equity offerings and financial restructurings. She is recommended for both Debt and Equity Capital Markets, as well as for Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity, by IFLR1000 (2019). She is recommended by The Legal 500 UK (2018) for Private Equity Transactions. Ms. Ashton was recently Co-Chair of the Capital Markets Forum of the International Bar Association and is a former trustee of the American College of Investment Counsel.

VENUE Debevoise & Plimpton
65 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7NQ
Nearest tube: Bank
TIME 19:00 for 19:30
COST Members £25 Members’ guests (non INSEAD) £35
REFRESHMENTS Wine and canapés