Epi-V LLP, the specialist upstream oil and gas services investment fund, has appointed Grahame Cook (pictured) as chairman.
Cook is a chartered accountant by training and has over 20 years’ experience in global investment banking, including senior management roles at Barclays de Zoete Wedd and UBS. During this time he worked extensively with private equity clients and was responsible for a large number of M&A transactions, capital raisings and market listings. At UBS he established a range of industry groups including one in oil and gas.
As chairman, he will join Epi-V’s board bringing with him his private equity experience and deep understanding of nurturing innovative companies for exit.
Cook joined WestLB’s investment banking business in 1998. As CEO he was responsible for 775 employees and overseeing the expansion of its global business. He also created a successful in-house technology venture fund and was a director of WestLB Private Equity, which is now known as Lyceum Capital.
Since 2003 Cook has acted in range of non-executive chairman and director roles for a number of growth companies. He is current Chairman of Sinclair Pharma, a specialty pharmaceuticals manufacturer and MDY Healthcare plc, a medtec investment company.
Commenting on his appointment, Cook said: “Epi-V is a highly differentiated and specialist fund, where my skills in advising on private equity transactions and growing fund value are highly appropriate.
“It has a strong portfolio of innovative technology led upstream oil and gas serviced businesses, which are benefiting from the very significant industry expertise and experience of the partners, and their active approach to developing investee companies into global winners.”
Glynn Williams, managing partner at Epi-V, commented: “With his track record in private equity structuring, building corporates, leading transactions and building fund value – as well as his related experience from differing industries through his non-executive roles – Grahame will make a valuable contribution to the strategic direction of the fund as we look to expand our investment portfolio over the coming years.
“We have developed a highly effective investment model focused on developing technology and commercialising businesses which will play a key role in unlocking the potential of hard to reach energy reserves. Grahame shares our vision and passion for these goals, and his skills will be invaluable as we continue to identify and develop these game-changing upstream services companies.”
