ECI Partners, a growth-focused mid-market private equity firm, has named Steve Tudge as non-executive Chair. He will be taking over from Ken Landsberg on his retirement.
Landsberg has been non-executive Chair for the last six years, and his retirement sees Steve Tudge transition from Managing Partner.
Landsberg has played an active role in guiding ECI’s development since the mid 1980’s and its successful investment and support of over 260 companies including past investments such as Guardian IT, Highway Services, NCC, Bloomsbury Publishing, National Express, Nuaire, Hoseseasons and Games Workshop. As a result of his track record and leadership at ECI he was inducted into the Private Equity Hall of Fame in 2015, an accolade that recognises an outstanding contribution by an individual or collection of individuals to a firm and the industry.
Tudge has been at ECI for over 26 years and has been on the ECI Investment Committee for close to 18 years. David Ewing, Chris Watt, Sean Whelan and Tom Wrenn will continue to run the ECI Investment Committee.
ECI has an established and structured approach to succession planning that looks forward for the next five to ten years. By taking a long-term view, ECI ensures that it retains its best people, offering them a career path through the business. This approach and the culture that it supports has enabled ECI to achieve and retain its position as the leading UK growth focussed mid-market private equity firm.
Tudge says: “I am looking forward to continuing to work with the hugely talented ECI team in my new role as chair of the ECI Group board. This is a fantastic business to be a part of and I’m delighted to be able to maintain my involvement in a non-executive capacity. It’s been an honour to work with Ken over the years, and on behalf of ECI, I would like to thank him for his contribution to the firm, and the wider private equity industry.”
Ken Landsberg, departing non-executive Chair at ECI Partners, adds: “I was fortunate to enter the private equity industry early and spend 36 years helping evolve ECI. We have led the development and evolution of mid-market private equity in the UK over the past four decades and I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of such an ambitious, forward thinking and innovative team. Our mission has always been to help companies do more with their business, and it’s been a pleasure to have worked with such highly gifted entrepreneurs, founders and management teams. I wish Steve and the wider ECI team every success.”
