Global private equity firm Advent International has recruited Conor Boden from 3i to take up the newly-created role of head of portfolio board development, with a focus on extending Advent
Global private equity firm Advent International has recruited Conor Boden from 3i to take up the newly-created role of head of portfolio board development, with a focus on extending Advent’s operating partner programme.
Operating partners are experienced industrialists that work with Advent in a variety of areas including helping to identify and transact deals as well as contributing to the strategic and operational development of portfolio companies.
Boden, who will be based in London and will initially concentrate on western and central Europe, will also be responsible for setting up and managing a broader network of chairmen, non-executive directors and chief executives.
During nine years at 3i, he was most recently responsible for the development and management of a group of executive chairmen and industrialists for 3i’s European buyout business, having previously headed the firm’s chief executive programme. Boden earlier held senior marketing positions at Andersen, Linklaters and Mercer Management Consulting.
Advent says the use of operating partners is a long-established and successful element of the firm’s highly operational approach to investing. The programme currently includes some 50 industrialists, many of whom have been involved in several Advent investments.
‘Conor’s appointment is testament to the extremely high value we place on the contribution of our operating partners across all the territories in which we invest,’ says Humphrey Battcock, a managing partner in Advent’s London office and member of the firm’s executive committee. ‘His appointment enables us to take both our operating partner and board-level resources to the next stage.’
Says Boden: ‘Advent has long been a global leader in partnering with exceptional boards and management teams. Given its operational orientation, international scale and breadth of sector knowledge, Advent offers top industrialists a wide range of opportunities and challenges – and the potential to enjoy significant personal rewards.’
Founded in 1984, Advent International has offices in 15 countries and 120 investment professionals across western and central Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. Since its launch, the firm has raised GBP6bn in private equity capital and completed more than 200 buyout and private equity transactions valued at more than GBP17bn in 35 countries.
