The Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) has appointed Robert W van Zwieten as its president and chief executive officer.
Jennifer Choi, vice president of industry and external affairs, has served the organisation as acting CEO during the executive search, following the departure of founding president and CEO Sarah Alexander earlier this year.
Van Zwieten (pictured) brings more than 25 years of industry experience in senior leadership roles at financial institutions across the US, Europe and Asia. Most recently, as the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) director of private sector capital markets based in Manila, Philippines, he oversaw a USD2.5bn emerging markets debt, equity and guarantee portfolio, including ADB’s private equity investments. Previously, he served as managing director and chief operating officer for an Asia-focused hedge fund venture, and prior to that as senior executive vice president and chief financial officer for the Singapore Exchange.
His experience further includes roles as senior vice president, CAO and other leadership positions with Lehman Brothers in New York; managing director and global treasurer with GE Energy in Atlanta; and managing director and treasurer for GE Capital Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong during the Asian Financial Crisis. Earlier in his career he worked with ABN AMRO Bank in Amsterdam, Chicago and Singapore, and with Royal VOPAK in Rotterdam.
Jeffrey Leonard, chairman of EMPEA’s board of directors, says: “I am delighted Robert is joining EMPEA. He has demonstrated his passion and commitment to EMPEA’s mission to develop the asset class globally through his frontline work in the industry. His familiarity with the complexities of investing in emerging markets and adept skills in relationship building will serve EMPEA well as we enter a second decade of offering unique membership value and global private equity intelligence.”
Van Zwieten says: “I have admired EMPEA’s accomplishments in providing investors the intelligence needed to successfully invest in emerging markets. I look forward to the opportunity to work with EMPEA’s leadership and our members in developing innovative platforms that will address the global needs and challenges of the industry and further stimulate economic growth around the world.”
Van Zwieten’s appointment is effective immediately.
