Pan-emerging makers private equity firm Actis has appointed Sergio Brandao as a director focusing on energy opportunities in Latin America.
Brandao (pictured) will be based in Actis’s São Paulo office, where the firm now has a team of 12 investment professionals focusing on the consumer, financial services and energy sectors.
Barndao joins Actis from Rio Bravo Investimentos where he was partner and co-fund manager. Prior to that he worked at Skanska, Unocal and the AES Corporation, and for a decade at Royal Dutch Shell in the US, UK, the Netherlands and Brunei.
Actis has recently made a number of investments in the Latin American energy sector. Current investments include the largest wind energy company in Central America and a distributor of electricity to over 1.4 million customers in Guatemala.
Brandao will work alongside energy team members in São Paulo and San José, Costa Rica, and colleagues in India and Africa.
Michael Till, partner and co-head of energy at Actis, says: “Sergio is a well-recognised figure in the Brazilian energy market. He is highly attuned to seeking out prospects both in Brazil and further afield and his recruitment to Actis is indicative of our growing presence in the region. With Sergio’s help we will continue to build our reputation as one of the most experienced private equity players in the energy space, committed to providing safe, affordable power in the emerging markets.”
Brandao says: “When you look across the Actis portfolio it is difficult to think of a firm which can match it for experience, history and results. I am excited by the possibilities opening up to investors in Latin America, and look forward to focusing my expertise and relationships in this new role.”
