Invest Europe has appointed Dr Gerry Murphy, Senior Managing Director and Chairman of Blackstone Europe, as Chair of the Association. He succeeds Max Römer, Founding Partner of Quadriga Capital.
Murphy has been a senior figure in Blackstone’s team in London since joining the US alternative investments manager in 2008. His primary focus is on supporting the firm’s activities across Europe and Asia. He serves as a director of German clothing group Jack Wolfskin, Dutch administrative services firm Intertrust and British television and internet retailer Ideal Shopping Direct. He is also a non-executive director of British American Tobacco.
Murphy says: “I am thrilled to be taking over as Chair of Invest Europe and thank Max for his dedication and leadership over the last 12 months. During that time, Invest Europe has played a central role for our industry in shaping the Capital Markets Union package of financial reforms, including an important reconsideration by the European Commission of risk weightings for private capital investments. I look forward to making my contribution to Invest Europe’s great work promoting the industry and emphasising high standards of governance and transparency.”
During his term as Chair of Invest Europe, Murphy intends to promote the benefits of private capital investments to the recovering European economy, and ensure recognition for strong governance standards at investment companies. He will also highlight the importance of transparency in all dealings with companies and investors, building on Invest Europe’s industry-leading best practice guide set out in the new Professional Standards Handbook and Investor Reporting Guidelines.
“Invest Europe has achieved real influence in Europe thanks to its clear explanation of the benefits of private capital to companies and institutional investors. But we are mindful that the industry also faces ongoing challenges in Europe and internationally. We will work hard to ensure that firms with a focus on long term investment operate to the highest standards of governance and transparency, and that regulation does not unfairly penalise them or the millions of pensioners and savers who invest in them through pension schemes and insurance products,” Murphy adds.
Murphy brings extensive experience from leadership roles in industry. Before joining Blackstone, he was CEO of Kingfisher plc, the owner of leading European DIY and home improvement retailers B&Q and Castorama. He also served as CEO of Carlton Communications, Exel plc and Greencore Group plc. Earlier in his career, he had senior operating and corporate positions with Grand Metropolitan plc (now Diageo plc) in Ireland, the UK and the USA. He holds a doctorate in food technology from University College Cork and a master’s in marketing from University College Dublin.
Dörte Höppner says: “Gerry brings a wealth of experience in private equity and corporate management to Invest Europe. His skills and knowledge will be great assets when it comes to illustrating the transformative power of private capital investment on companies. We look forward to working with Gerry over the coming year and thank Max for his unwavering support.”
Invest Europe’s membership is divided across four Platforms – Venture Capital, Mid-market, Large Buy-out and Limited Partners (or investors). Each Platform is equally represented on Invest Europe’s Board of Directors, with a Chair selected from each Platform in strict rotation. Murphy represents the members in the Large Buy-out Platform and will act on behalf of all Invest Europe members.
